Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, Feb. 1

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Court action deals blow to state in fight with Allstate

In a blow to insurance regulators’ hopes that Allstate’s new business would again be quickly suspended, an appeals court has declined to reinstate an order limiting the company’s operations.

 

Allstate gets OK to write new policies

A Florida district court of appeal will allow Allstate to continue writing new policies in Florida, but it sped up the appeal of its insurance license suspension.

 

Florida subpoenas Countrywide for information on mortgages

Florida’s attorney general is investigating Countrywide Financial Corp., a beleaguered California-based mortgage lender, for possible unfair and deceptive business practices related to its home loans.

 

Crist budget plan: Boost business

Bracing for continued weakening in Florida’s economy, Gov. Charlie Crist proposed a $70 billion state budget Thursday that would boost spending on programs to stimulate business and count on reserves and gambling money to get through the tough times.

 

Crist proposes outreach health program for poor uninsured

Health or social workers would visit some of the state’s poorest neighborhoods looking for uninsured people to help them get medical attention or get enrolled in government health care programs under a plan proposed Thursday by Gov. Charlie Crist.

 

Crist lays out pay-raise plan for state workers

Gov. Charlie Crist’s budget was good news for state employees Thursday, despite Florida’s critically tough economic times.

 

Schools must cater more to business, senator says

The superintendent-turned-lawmaker says career technical education needs to be a focus.

The Tampa Bay area is poised to become a statewide leader in education, state Sen. Don Gaetz told a gathering of educators and business leaders at a Wednesday luncheon hosted by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.

 

Díaz-Balart raises $900,000 for his campaign

U.S. Rep. Lincoln Díaz-Balart has banked $900,000 for his first serious reelection challenge, according to campaign finance reports filed ahead of a midnight Thursday deadline.

 

Buchanan outraises Jennings more than 2 to 1

It’s shaping up to be another David-versus-Goliath financial battle for the 13th Congressional District seat, according to campaign-finance reports filed Thursday.

 

Health agency scandal growing

After an internal review, the Pinellas agency is asking the state to investigate.

The Pinellas County Health Department will request an investigation into how it handled hundreds of thousands of dollars earmarked for programs for disadvantaged children and minorities.

 

Plan to solve emergency room crisis reaches impasse

Efforts to bring more specialists into hospital emergency rooms hit a major snag Thursday when hospital officials rejected a ‘Band-Aid’ solution to this health care crisis.

 

Bay Area Tops For Lead Foot

Tampa drivers have a need for speed, at least when they hit Interstate 75.

A report released Thursday says Tampa Bay area drivers have a heavier foot on ‘suburban/rural’ highways, such as I-75, than drivers on the same type of roads in the seven other metro areas studied across the country.

 

My Safe Florida Home forum shows you how to save a few bucks

Seems like no one is happy with the cost of property insurance on the Treasure Coast and throughout Florida, but the state can help mitigate those costs. That was the message nearly 100 residents received Wednesday night at a town meeting presented by State Rep. William D. Snyder, R-Stuart, at the Blake Library.

 

McCain Needed Life Insurance To Get Loan

By last November, John McCain’s presidential campaign was broke. To survive, he offered his fundraising lists as collateral for a $3 million line of credit from a local bank.

 

State says insurers must list executives’ pay

Consumers will soon be able to learn how much their insurance companies are paying top executives.

 

Bond insurers perched atop eroding pillar of trust

As bad news about the financial system piles up, trust — the pillar of investing — is being buried.

 

Tornado Victims Billed For Cable Damage

Having a tornado demolish her home was bad enough. But weeks later when Ann Beam received a $2,000 cable bill for destroyed equipment, she was floored.

 

GAO Urges Changes in Wind, Flood Damage Determinations

Government adjusters trying to assess the accuracy of flood claims payments from the 2005 hurricane season were hampered by a lack of access to data on wind damage from the National Flood Insurance Program and private insurers, according to a new government report.

 

Credit Score Ban Gets Wisconsin Senate Okay

The Wisconsin Senate dismayed insurance interests yesterday by passing a bill that would ban the use of customer credit records to set an individual’s auto or home insurance rates. The bill now goes to the state Assembly.

 

Flirting With Disaster

How long-term insurance can help homeowners in hurricane zones save money and protect themselves at the same time.

Homeowners in hurricane-prone areas are at sea when it comes to insuring their property, and they don’t know what to expect when it comes to renewing their policies.