Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, December 17

Dec 17, 2010

 

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State:  Groundwater levels near sinkhole should be monitored

State environmental regulators have asked Hillsborough County Solid Waste officials to drill a monitor well just west of a massive sinkhole to check for any changes in groundwater quality and levels.

 

Leaders searching for solution to massive sinkhole in Hillsborough County

Today, the Department of Environmental Protection plans to hold a meeting with Hillsborough County leaders to figure out how to fix a massive sinkhole under the Southeast Landfill in Lithia.

 

Sunrise condo residents displaced; backyards fall into canal

People living in at least seven units of a west Broward condominium were forced to evacuate late Thursday night when most of their backyards and a fence running along the property collapsed into a canal next to their building.

 

Sinkhole swallows Lee County school bus

A water main break at the intersection of Dunbar St. and Pauldo St. in Fort Myers forced a school bus into a sink hole Friday morning.

 

In Florida, Federal Court Judge Considers Health-Care Challenge By States

In Florida, a federal court judge heard oral arguments surrounding the 20-state challenge to the health overhaul.

 

Governor Charlie Crist Signs Executive Order Authorizing Extension of Eligibility Period for Unemployment Emergency Benefits

Please see the attached Executive Order 10-276, authorizing Floridians who qualify for Unemployment Compensation Extended Benefits to resume receiving those benefits through January 7, 2012, as authorized by federal law.

 

Florida unemployment rises to 12 percent

Broward and Palm Beach rates move up as well

South Florida’s unemployment in November rose again in Broward and Palm Beach Counties and fell slightly in Miami-Dade County, the state work force agency said Friday.

 

Federal Judge backs Environmental Protection Agency on latest Everglades fix proposal

A federal judge expressed support Friday for a new $1.5 billion Environmental Protection Agency plan to reduce pollution-laden farm runoff that is choking the fragile Everglades.

 

Florida TaxWatch Releases Handbook to Help Rick Scott

At the end of the 1972 film “The Candidate,” Robert Redford, whose character has just been elected to the U.S. Senate, turns to an adviser played by Peter Boyle and demands, “What do we do now?”

 

Florida Senator Fasano urges state leaders to block move to ‘Taj Mahal’ courthouse

The 1st District Court of Appeal should be stopped from moving into its posh new courthouse, says Sen. Mike Fasano, chairman of the committee that controls budgets for the state’s court system.

 

Foreclosures Down in Florida, But Cases Linger in Courts

Controversy leads to slowdown; courts still dealing with glut of cases

Foreclosure filings in Florida fell 42 percent in November from the previous month, with one in every 267 housing units receiving a filing last month, according to a report released Thursday by Realty Trac, a California-based company that tracks foreclosed properties.

 

Sink Looks Back — at CFO Term and Campaign

Four years ago, Alex Sink became the first Florida chief financial officer to win a contested election in her first bid for elected office.

 

Travelers Ordered to Pay $445M for Asbestos Settlements

A bankruptcy court judge has ordered Travelers to pay at least $445 million into claims funds set up by a 2004 asbestos settlement.

 

Incoming Alabama Governor Bentley to Keep Ridling As Insurance Chief

Incumbent Alabama Commissioner of Insurance Jim L. Ridling will continue in that role in the new administration of Governor-elect Robert Bentley. Ridling has served as commissioner since 2008.

 

A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Amlin AG

Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of A and issuer credit rating of “a” of Amlin AG The outlook for both ratings is stable.

 

Georgia Insurers, Incoming Commissioner Plan Fraud Crackdown

Georgia’s insurance industry is teaming up with state authorities to launch an ambitious effort to crack down on the rising number of insurance fraud cases.

 

Editorial:  Fund drywall fixes — now

Time to save homes, families and neighborhoods

By rough estimate, it would cost well under $1 billion to overhaul a wave of homes afflicted with tainted drywall.

 

 

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