Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, August 15

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Insurance regulators want State Farm to clarify nonrenewal data

Just how many Florida policyholders does State Farm plan to drop?

After State Farm Florida vice president Kathy Popejoy told regulators at a rate hearing Tuesday that the company was dropping wind coverage on 23,000 policies, company officials scrambled to clarify that would not violate an agreement State Farm has with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to cap its nonrenewals at 50,000.

Florida Gov. Appoints 2 to Citizens Board of Governors

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist appointed two new members to Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s Board of Governors.

Florida Ranks Sixth Among Most Expensive States To Insure A Home

Parts of coastal Texas and Mexico were treated to 15 inches of rain courtesy of Hurricane Dolly, a Category 2 storm that made landfall last month. Its 100 mile-per-hour winds made it the most powerful U.S. storm since Wilma, a Category 5 storm in 2005.

Florida-based Brown & Brown Acquires Reed Brothers Assets

A subsidiary of Florida-based Brown & Brown Inc. acquired the assets of Reed Brothers Insurance Group Inc., of Columbia, Kentucky and Tampa, Florida, according to officers of the companies.

Storm Safety: A Guide to Insurance Coverage

This week, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) continues its public education campaign on the importance of mitigation, which focuses on awareness and how-to steps for Floridians to strengthen and harden their homes in preparation for a hurricane or high wind event.

Florida Chamber asks for special session on tax reform

The Florida Chamber of Commerce didn’t waste any time weighing in on the scuttling of Amendment 5. Within hours of a Leon County judge ruling Thursday the amendment’s wording was misleading and pulling it from the November ballot, the state chamber sent an open letter to Gov. Charlie Crist.

CFO Sink Creates “Financial Action Team”

Broad coalition will identify funds available from federal foreclosure assistance legislation
In an effort to increase the amount of aid to Floridians facing economic crisis, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink today announced she has created a “Financial Action Team” to identify federal assistance available to our state. Comprised of a broad array of financial and housing stakeholders, CFO Sink’s Financial Action Team will analyze the recently passed Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to maximize Florida’s share of the billions in available federal dollars to help taxpayers weather a range of economic challenges.

Governor Crist Appoints George Sheldon As DCF Interim Secretary

In a statement released today, August 15, 2008, Florida Governor Charlie Crist appointed Department of Children and Families (“DCF”) Assistant Secretary George Sheldon to serve as interim DCF Secretary after today’s resignation of Secretary Bob Butterworth.

Keen’s last report: HMOs had docs that Medicaid dumped

Doctors kicked out of Florida’s Medicaid program continue to treat patients in HMOs paid by the state, according to a draft report that the Inspector General of Medicaid’s parent agency was working on when she was asked to resign last month.

Crist: Pick up pace of construction

Gov. Charlie Crist told state agency heads Thursday that he wants construction projects sped up so more money can be pumped into the sluggish state economy.

State looking at $1 billion hole in budget

The day before economists are expected to announce a $1 billion-plus hole in the state budget, Gov. Charlie Crist assembled his state agency heads Thursday afternoon and ordered them to do everything they can to accelerate road and school construction projects.

7 judges, Miami lawyer nominated for Florida high court

Seven judges and a Miami lawyer are on the first list of candidates that Gov. Charlie Crist received for two openings. The list has no female candidates.

Gov. Charlie Crist got the first list of candidates for the Florida Supreme Court, receiving the names of seven sitting judges and one Miami lawyer Thursday to fill two vacancies.

Ausley to chair Florida Healthy Kids program

Loranne Ausley, at the end of her career as an advocate for children in the state House, will chair the Florida Healthy Kids program. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink appointed Ausley, whom she described as Florida’s biggest champion for children.

Unusual alliance fighting to stop budget massacre

With top economists expected to announce grim budget news for Florida — possibly the worst for the state’s government in decades — an unlikely alliance of groups representing children, the elderly and taxpayers is demanding a solution.

Budget cuts impacting court system

Judges’ caseloads, courthouse jobs, judicial outcomes affected

The news isn’t pretty for the courts system these days. The economy is lagging, crime is up, judges are getting busier and their staff is shrinking, officials say.

Veteran lawmaker, or a fresh face’

State Rep. Ron Reagan is running for another term on a platform of experience and seniority, saying his years in the Legislature have prepared him well to continue to serve.

Hillsborough GOP hopefuls seek eye of power players

In the wake of state Rep. Trey Traviesa’s sudden decision not to seek re-election, two prominent developers are exercising an influential role behind the scenes in deciding who fills his empty spot on the ballot.

Attack ads tarnish House race 106

At candidate forums for Democratic voters, North Bay Village Mayor Joe Geller and Miami Beach Commissioner Richard Steinberg shake hands warmly and criticize the status quo in Tallahassee — instead of each other.

Fla. GOP, Gov. Crist to back Rooney for Congress

The state GOP chairman and Gov. Charlie Crist plan to endorse Tom Rooney in the primary that will decide who faces U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney in November.

State legislator questions whether Alley lease meeting violated Sunshine law

A public meeting on a proposed lease of Alligator Alley wrapped up after just 20 minutes this morning after transportation officials were handed summaries of the proposing firms’ qualifications.

Thousands of Federally Placed Underground Fuel Tanks Could Leak

The government owns hundreds of underground fuel tanks — many designed for emergencies back in the Cold War — that need to be inspected for leaks of hazardous substances that could make local water undrinkable.

AIR Updates Catastrophe Risk Modeling Systems

Boston-based AIR Worldwide Corporation has announced the release of updates to its CATRADE, CLASIC/2 and CATStation catastrophe risk management systems.

Mississippi lawyer Zach Scruggs to report to prison

Zach Scruggs must report to prison by Aug. 15 for knowing about the bribery scheme that also landed his father and law partner behind bars.

California Legislature Passes Agent-Broker Bill

Assemblyman Joe Coto’s Assembly Bill 2956, which will clarify the duties of an agent versus those of a broker, has passed both the California Assembly and Senate. The bill will now be held at the Assembly desk until the state budget is resolved, when the bill will be sent to the Governor for his signature.

Bigger, Tougher Fires Bring Calif. to the Brink; Schwarzenegger Proposes Insurance Surcharge

Faced with hundreds of big, hard-to-control blazes, California is struggling with what could be its most expensive firefighting season ever, burning through $285 million in the last six weeks alone and up to $13 million a day.

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