Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, January 28
Jan 28, 2011
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Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush Opens Property Casualty Insurers Executive Roundtable in Florida
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush, a globally-recognized leader on economic and education reform, opened the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America’s Executive Roundtable Session in Florida yesterday outlining, “America’s Promise in Uncertain Times.”
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America commends Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Jeff Atwater, for shining a light on the issue of rampant automobile insurance fraud across the state.
Florida Chiropractor’s advertising models seek to consolidate fragmented markets
In 1995, Robert Lewin was a chiropractor struggling to market his practice amid a fragmented and competitive market.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced that the Department of Financial Services’ Division of Insurance Fraud, in partnership with the Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough Sheriff’s Department, has arrested five individuals accused of submitting $118,000 in fraudulent insurance claims through a Tampa clinic.
Court decision could cast Florida DUI cases into limbo
Florida’s top court won’t reverse ruling involving breath tests
Drunken driving cases across the state could be thrown into limbo now that the Florida Supreme Court has declined to review an argument over alcohol breath-test machines that originated in Sarasota County.
Hospital council wants to cut off additional money to Florida primary care programs
A blue ribbon health care panel on Thursday recommended spending almost $1 billion in Medicaid payments to Florida’s hospitals but it also recommended that the state cut-off enhanced funding to primary care programs meant to keep people out of the facilities.
Blog: Scott fires Enterprise Florida chief John Adams
After chairing the Enterprise Florida board meeting in downtown Tallahassee this morning, Governor Rick Scott quietly fired the public-private economic development agency’s president John Adams, the governor’s office confirmed.
- Scott wants to take Enterprise Florida in a ‘different direction’, owes former president $132,000
- Governor Rick Scott wants control of economic development efforts
Florida Governor Rick Scott unveils new jobs plan
Governor Rick Scott unveiled a new plan Thursday that he said will boost job creation by streamlining economic development efforts.
House Committee Starts the Process of Scrapping Corporate Income Tax
Chairman Steve Precourt vows to fight for fiscal conservatism
One of the chief items on Governor Rick Scott’s economic agenda is the elimination of the corporate income tax — and it looks like he will be getting help from a key committee in the Florida House.
Governor Rick Scott will spend this weekend in Washington, D.C., (he says he’ll be going to church there on Sunday), making the first of what he says will be frequent trips to the nation’s capital. He has meetings scheduled this afternoon with U.S. education head Arne Duncan and transportation chief Ray LaHood.
Anti-Regulation Wave in Tallahassee Hits Water Debate
Business groups, utilities see opening to look again at limits.
Hoping to capitalize on the flood of anti-regulation rhetoric in Tallahassee since the inauguration of Governor Rick Scott, utilities and business groups pushed lawmakers Thursday to loosen the rules in the age-old debate about water management and economic growth.
Blog: Scott budget may propose unemployment compensation fix
Governor Rick Scott hinted Friday that his budget pitch next month would include a fix to shore up Florida’s battered unemployment compensation system, which has hit businesses this year with steep tax increases to pay benefits for laid-off workers.
Senator: Florida needs larger cash reserves
A top state lawmaker says Florida needs to put away at least $2.4 billion in reserves to keep interest rates low on future bond offerings.
The magnitude of Florida’s fiscal crisis became clearer Thursday as the Senate’s top budget-writer called for larger cash reserves to pacify Wall Street bond rating firms.
Florida to consider legal online poker
Pari-mutuels would link to poker sites, share revenue with state
While some Florida legislators talk of setting up Las Vegas-style casinos in a few years, others suggest there’s a way to immediately raise gambling revenues with a click of a mouse.
Agencies Offer Cuts, Some Senators Wary
Senators spar over cuts
Staffers for seven state agencies presented $287.8 million in budget cuts Thursday to the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations, but some legislators were concerned that the cuts were falling on services rather than administrative costs.
E-Verify Gains Support; Will It Stand Alone?
Politics of immigration control sow confusion, intrigue at Capitol
With Florida’s only immigration-enforcement law blocked by former Attorney General Bill McCollum, state lawmakers are warming to the E-Verify employee-screening program.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to Begin Paying Commissions Monthly
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, the property insurer of last resort along the Texas Gulf Coast, reports that in the second quarter of 2011 it will begin paying agents’ commissions monthly.
Mississippi Commissioner Chaney to Run for Reelection
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney has officially announced his intention to seek a second term.
Wisconsin governor signs tort reform bill
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed into a law a multifaceted tort reform measure on Thursday.
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