Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, January 7
Jan 7, 2011
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Citizens Board Votes to Reduce Emergency Assessment Amount to 1 percent
The Office of Insurance Regulation is expected to approve the reduced, 1 percent Citizens Property Insurance Corporation emergency assessment soon and make it effective July 1.
Blog: Lawsuit–Florida Insurance Commissioner lashed out at insurer due to grudge
A lawsuit filed today in a federal court in Tallahassee alleges Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty prevented Dallas National Insurance Company from selling workers compensation insurance in the state because of a long-held grudge.
Blog: Legislators–It’s time to deregulate home insurance and cut insurers’ sinkhole costs
A sweeping property insurance package vetoed last year due to concerns about costs to consumers will be resurrected this year.
Florida to get more home weatherization money
Florida has qualified for the second half of $176 million in federal stimulus funds for home weatherization.
Florida Condominium Association Calls for Insurance Legislation
The Community Advocacy Network, which advocates for the interests of community association residents in Florida, wants to ensure that condominium owners are kept informed of certain insurance matters.
Cruise Ship Wins $24 Million in Florida Suit Against Rolls-Royce
A jury has awarded $24 million to Carnival Corporation in its lawsuit against Rolls-Royce PLC involving claims of a faulty propulsion system aboard the luxury liner Queen Mary 2.
Florida small-group rate hikes over 10 percent
Most policies for individuals and small groups in Florida had double-digit rate increases last year, according to a study released today. That level would be considered unreasonable under a proposed federal rule.
Measure would force pill stealing nurses and doctors to be turned over to police
Doctors and nurses who lift prescriptions from patients must be reported to law enforcement under a bill filed by Senator Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.
Vegas casinos are in play for a move into Florida
Governor Rick Scott said Thursday he is open to allowing Las Vegas-style casino resorts in Florida, opening the door for promoters to move swiftly ahead with legislation this year that would end the decades-old ban on the high stakes games.
News Service of Florida: Scott’s order freezing rules drawing heat
With Governor Rick Scott freezing agency regulations and ordering checks on the immigration status of state workers, the wide-ranging effect of his opening-day political statements was still being gauged Wednesday.
Charlie Crist joins Morgan and Morgan
It’s official: Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist is joining the Orlando law firm Morgan & Morgan.
Governor’s office names staff members
Governor Rick Scott has kept a few of his predecessor’s top aides, at least temporarily, and brought some of his own campaign staffers into his inner circle.
New rules limit GOP’s power over voter districts
Republicans have never had more political strength in Tallahassee going into a redistricting process as they do this year.
Florida may impose $43 million in class size fines
Florida education officials have proposed reducing state funding to school districts and laboratory and charter schools by about $43 million as penalties for violating class size limits.
New study finds high speed rail could cost $3 billion more than predicted
The controversial high-speed rail line proposed to connect Tampa to Orlando could put Florida taxpayers on the line for billions, according to a new study.
Scott plans to use his own jet for business travel
Governor Rick Scott took to the skies in his personal jet for his first out-of-town appearance after taking office.
Group wants to bring concealed weapons into open
A movement to let Floridians openly carry their handguns in a holster makes its first stop in Brevard with a rally in Melbourne on Saturday.
Rick Scott to press corp: Let’s get some decorum
Governor Rick Scott’s team asked the state capital press corps to remain in their seats after press conferences and not rush the newly-elected governor with questions. Scott’s team has installed a velvet rope line in the hallway in an attempt to stop the chase of reporters.
Blog: The price for Florida’s new governor? One red cent
True to his word, Governor Rick Scott is doing the $130,000 job of governor without commanding a paycheck.
Blog: Rick Scott says he’s not good at sending messages
Governor Rick Scott said today that he was not trying to send any message to environmentalists who are fuming over his decisions to put a shipyard executive in charge of environmental regulation and hire a former executive at a North Florida development company as head of the state agency charged with overseeing growth.
Leaders of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators, The Council of State Governments, and the National Conference of State Legislatures today sent a joint letter to state colleagues urging their consideration of a new Surplus Lines Insurance Multi-State Compliance Compact.
House Lets Stand Mississippi Governor Barbour’s Veto of Windpool Funds
The Mississippi House has failed to override a governor’s veto of legislation that would have placed a $20 million subsidy into a state wind pool insurance fund.
Texas Appeals Court Says Discovery Request Too Broad in Hurricane Suit
Montgomery County District Judge Kathleen Hamilton improperly ordered insurers in a Hurricane Ike suit to produce records far beyond the scope of the storm, Ninth District appeals judges decided on Dec. 30.
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner-Elect Names Staff Members
Incoming Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak has appointed 10 members of his staff to lead the Oklahoma Insurance Department.
New York Insurers Applaud Plan to Merge State’s Regulatory Arms
A key trade group for insurers in New York State applauded a proposal by Governor Andrew Cuomo to merge the state’s insurance regulatory arm into a single agency overseeing insurance, banking and consumer protection.
Illinois Begins Probe of Prison’s Worker Compensation Claims
Illinois state insurance fraud officials have launched an investigation of a southwestern Illinois prison where nearly $10 million in worker’s compensation and paid medical leave have been paid out to more than half the staff over the past three years.
The National Conference of Insurance Legislators has sent a letter to all members of the new Congress warning them that a federal insurance charter could ultimately cost states up to $16 billion in annual revenue.
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