Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, January 23
Jan 23, 2009
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Florida leaders support rate increase for Citizens Property Insurance
State leaders on Thursday joined a call to end a three-year rate freeze for Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Rate increase sought for Citizens policyholders
More reserves needed to protect other Florida residents, task force says
Ponte Vedra Beach businessman Bruce Douglas says he’s hopeful state lawmakers will end the freeze on rates for Citizens Property Insurance.
Chinese drywall issue pops up in Miami-Dade County
Reports of contaminated Chinese drywall have surfaced in Miami-Dade County, raising fears of problems in South Florida for insurers and builders.
Fla. Has Fifth Most Uninsured Drivers
Florida has more uninsured drivers than most states, and the problem likely will worsen, according to a study released this week by an independent research group.
Jury awards paralyzed construction worker $76.6M
A Brevard County jury awarded a $76.6 million judgment to a Merritt Island construction worker whose supervisor dared him to jump off a dock into the Indian River Lagoon, where he was paralyzed after suffering a spinal cord injury, court records show.
Stimulus Plan Helps Fla. Medicaid
Florida could get about $4.3 billion in added federal Medicaid funding this year under the $825 billion economic recovery package being crafted by President Barack Obama and congressional leaders, said Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor of Tampa.
Florida drowning in jobless claims
Floridians who want state unemployment benefits may need to brush up on their computer skills. That’s because there’s no way to sign up in person, and those who apply by phone can expect either busy signals or waits of up to 90 minutes to speak with someone.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Crist failed to keep insurance promises
My home is located in Savanna Club near U.S. 1 in Port St. Lucie. The home is out of the flood zone area. My home was insured by Liberty American Insurance Group during the past several years.
Legislature ponders ideas for tax structure changes
With lawmakers facing another round of difficult budget decisions in the annual session that begins in March, almost everyone agrees that some changes in state taxes are needed.
Crist wants to keep Florida Forever
As legislative leaders prepare to make more tough budget decisions, Gov. Charlie Crist indicated Thursday he might veto a plan to suspend the Florida Forever land-buying program.
SANSOM: Crist Should Offset Cuts He Vetos
Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom said Gov. Charlie Crist should suggest ways to offset any items he vetoes in a deficit-elimination package when he submits his recommendations for the next state budget.
COLUMN: Carey Baker’s run for Florida Cabinet touches off political scramble
It’s catch-up day. Get out your scorecard.
Recently, this column took a look at who is interested in serving you at the state level.
COLUMN: Field for U.S. Senate race could be crowded
With the two biggest names in Florida politics out of it, the 2010 U.S. Senate race might be the most crowded statewide contest in 40 years.
EDITORIAL: State Budget Priorities–Florida Holds Gold Mine for CSX
While Florida lawmakers were making a billion-dollar raid on trust funds, draining the state’s rainy-day fund, and slashing education, health care and social services last week to balance the state budget, the Department of Transportation was sitting on a cool $795 million in ready cash set aside for a sweetheart deal that may not even come to fruition.
Lawmakers Press Treasury Nominee to Boost Federal Oversight of Insurance
Seven U.S. lawmakers Friday urged Treasury Secretary nominee Timothy Geithner to boost federal oversight of insurance companies, a long-held goal of much — although not all — of the insurance industry.
- To view the letter sent by Lawmakers urging Geithner to boost federal insurance oversight, click here.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners government relations leadership council will shape NAIC efforts to respond to the new U.S. Securities Exchange indexed annuity regulations.
Report: Upgrading FEMA flood maps would save lives
Upgrading outdated maps used to calculate flood danger would save lives, prevent damage to property and businesses, and preserve infrastructure, say researchers nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast.
North Carolina Urged to Reduce Beach Plan Coverage, Cap Insurers’ Liability
North Carolina’s state-sanctioned property insurance program at the coast should reduce its maximum property policy coverage to relieve its potential liability in a massive hurricane, a legislative study committee recommended this week.
Texas Windstorm Insurer: Repairs Must Follow Wind Code Rules
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association is instructing agents who have clients with residential dwellings insured under the TWIA waiver program that all repairs must be done to the current catastrophe area wind code requirements and WPI-8(s) must be issued for all repairs, additions, and alterations.
Iowa House Panel Clears $56 Million Flood Relief Plan
A $56 million Iowa flood relief package has easily cleared its first legislative hurdle, and backers promise to quickly deliver the measure to Gov. Chet Culver.
Who’s Worth What in the Independent Agency System?
It’s that time again! Insurance Journal is polling insurance agents and brokers nationwide in its annual quest to find out who’s worth what in the independent agency system.
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