Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, Jan. 18
Jan 18, 2008
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State extends Allstate penalty
A day after telling Allstate to stop writing new car insurance policies in Florida, state regulators told the company to stop writing any new business in the state — including life and home insurance.
Allstate standoff hinges on trade secret
Insurer resists pressure over document that is said to focus on claim payouts
The unprecedented standoff between Allstate and Florida’s insurance regulators has zeroed in on a secret consultant’s report.
S&P: Allstate’s Ratings Unaffected by Florida Suspension
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services said today that news reports (See IJ web site) about the suspension issued to Allstate Corp. (ALL) by the Florida Insurance Commissioner that prohibit some of the companies subsidiaries from writing new auto insurance policies, and possibly homeowners policies, in the state will not affect the ratings on ALL and subsidiaries.
EDITORIAL: Our position: Cracking down on Allstate should be only first step in insurance fight
The dance that property insurers have been doing on the backs of their policyholders finally may be coming to an end. Good.
EDITORIAL: Ask the Governor: Florida seeks fairness from insurers
Q Why are insurance companies allowed to not renew homeowner policies for people who have been with them for 14 years or more, especially during periods that no company wants them, like July and August?
EDITORIAL: Our view: Hitting the brakes
Where have these guys been the past three years?
That’s our question to Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarthy and other state officials who have let insurers run wild in Florida since the 2004-05 hurricanes.Now, they’re getting some religion.
Crist hopes new education spending will boost support of tax measure
Hoping to boost voter support for an amendment to cut Florida’s property taxes, Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday proposed adding $138 million to state education spending to offset any losses from the measure.
Unions protest property tax cut
From nurses and phone company employees to those who unload cargo ships, union workers from around Miami banded together Thursday to campaign against the property tax cut referendum that will be on ballots Jan. 29.
Realtors asked to raise voices for tax plan
Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indiatlantic, and Rep. Stan Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, advised Realtors backing the proposed statewide property tax plan that if they want Amendment 1 to be approved, they need to get the word out to the voters.
Panel backs proposal to slash home taxes
State property taxes would be cut up to 40 percent by ending some exemptions and taxing services.
Despite strong opposition from businesses, a powerful tax panel Thursday supported a historic tax shift, potentially saving homeowners billions of dollars a year by taxing services.
Property tax referendum confusing Florida voters
Confusion is swirling around the upcoming vote on property tax relief over whether the proposal would end the state’s coveted Save Our Homes exemption.
EDITORIAL: Your views: A taxing decision
Readers express a variety of opinions in their letters to FLORIDA TODAY.
EDITORIAL: Amendment 1 makes unfair tax system worse
This is a tough time to argue against property tax cuts for Floridians.
Critics call education budget a ‘phantom’
Looking to defuse opposition to the proposed property-tax cut going before voters this month, Gov. Charlie Crist outlined Thursday what he called a $1 billion increase in school spending next year.
Bond insurers spark new fears over credit crisis
Fears that the credit crunch might be entering a traumatic new phase grew yesterday as investors lost confidence in the insurers that guarantee payments on billions of dollars in bonds.
Supreme court says Florida needs 19 new circuit judges
Florida needs 19 new circuit court judges to deal with an increasing judicial workload, the state Supreme Court said Thursday in a recommendation to the Legislature.
State Senate Democrats say some GOP members are threatening lobbyists
The Democratic leader of the Florida Senate on Thursday accused unnamed Republicans of threatening political reprisals against lobbyists who back the wrong man in a hot Senate race, but the GOP’s incoming Senate president called the charge ‘utter nonsense’ and challenged the Democrats to prove it.
Insurance Professionals See Taxes, Health Care as Key Presidential Issues
Taxes, health care and retirement security top the list of issues insurance industry professionals would most like to see the presidential candidates address in the 2008 campaign, according to an exclusive A.M. Best survey highlighted in BestWeek U.S./Canada, with more than four out of five respondents dubbing those important to their lives and livelihoods.
Giuliani meets with Gov. Crist
Neck-and-neck in the polls in a must-win state, former New York Mayor and Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani stumped hard Thursday for Florida votes.
Bill seeks federal reimbursement for switch to paper ballots
Election jurisdictions such as Palm Beach County, which has switched in the past year from electronic to voter-verifiable paper ballots, would be eligible for full federal reimbursement of their costs under a bill introduced Thursday in Congress.
Brevard ballot holds puzzling item that’s 1st step toward cap on tax revenue, spending
A one-sentence question seeking a yes-or-no answer about taxes on this month’s primary ballot has puzzled Brevard voters.
U.S. Rep. Young Plans To Seek 20th Term In Congress
The wait is over: U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young is running for another term in Congress.
New details in ‘Insider’ lawyer’s saga
A Mississippi judge who ruled in favor of Richard ‘Dickie’ Scruggs in a dispute over legal fees was told by a friend that siding with the prominent lawyer could mean consideration for the federal bench, prosecutors allege in court papers unsealed this week.
Bush to Announce ‘Principles’ Today; Congress Works on Bipartisan Proposal
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke endorsed government efforts to stimulate the economy yesterday, as congressional leaders and the Bush administration moved closer to agreement on a plan.