Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, July 11

 

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Kevin McCarty:  Floridians need “all-risks” homeowners insurance policies

This has been a sad few weeks for residents of our nation’s heartland as flooding caused the failure of numerous levees along the Mississippi River, creating untold damage, destruction and loss of life.

Sink Speaks Out at FIC Convention

Speaking before the Florida Insurance Council’s recent annual meeting in Key West, CFO Alex Sink said Florida “went in the wrong direction this year when the Legislature decided to freeze Citizens Property Insurance Corporation’s rates for yet another year solely out of political purposes.”

Over-Regulated and Overpriced Florida Insurance Earns an “F”

Florida can’t seem to catch a break. The Democratic Party cuts our delegates to half a vote at the convention, and now a massive all-states study gives us an “F” in insurance.

Insurance coverage for sinkholes may change

Recent state legislation changed the guidelines for insurance that covers sinkholes, according to a paper written by David Thompson of the Florida Insurance Research Library.

Florida Senator Blames RAA for Failure of State Cat Fund Resolution

In his last meeting with the National Conference of Insurance Legislators, Florida State Sen. Steven Geller failed to get a catastrophe fund and federal disaster assistance resolution passed a resolution in which the senator said he invested 10 years. And he blames the Reinsurance Association of America for the resolution’s failure.

State of Florida workers get training for emergencies

About four-dozen state employees from all over Florida are training in ways to fight fires, deal with hazardous materials, rescue hurricane victims and cope with terror attacks and other emergencies. A husband and wife team of planners from Hernando County began the two-day session at the state’s Emergency Operations Center on Thursday with a detailed classroom session and hands-on test with fire extinguishers.

Beaches are first line of defense against hurricanes

It’s hurricane season, so it’s highly possible that America’s coastal residents may soon be experiencing the howling winds and crashing waves associated with one of Mother Nature’s most dangerous weather events. National coastal experts want coastal residents to understand the vital role their beach plays in protecting them from the negative impacts of a hurricane.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:  Stiff wind blowing for many trying to ready for storms

Well, here we go again. Hurricane season is here, and we’re already watching a major one in the Atlantic. And, even though it poses no threat to the U.S., it still makes us realize that we best be prepared. However, being prepared is getting to be more difficult.

Campbell cites hip surgery in dropping bid for Senate

Skip Campbell will officially drop out of the race against Republican Senate President-designate Jeff Atwater today, the former senator said Thursday.

Davie looking at nonresidents for auto accident fee

The town may look to accident victims to help bolster Davie’s shrinking budget and save the jobs of 14 employees. The controversial ‘recovery fee,’ rejected by the council last year amid negative publicity, would affect only out-of-towners who are cited in accidents. The fee would be a first for a South Florida municipality.

Crist defends trip as effort to help state

To help revive Florida’s economy, Gov. Charlie Crist is going on his third taxpayer-backed trade mission.

At a cost to taxpayers of $255,000, Gov. Charlie Crist embarks with staff and dozens of corporate executives Saturday on an 11-day European trade mission in the hope of striking business deals to spark Florida’s flagging economy.

VA vote push has new allies

Florida’s top elections official and several U.S. senators have joined the mounting criticism over a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs policy that bans voter registration on VA property.

Buchanan hits $3 million in campaign funds

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan’s re-election campaign said Wednesday that it has topped $3 million in contributions.

The Bubble Burst

According to the national tracking firm RealtyTrac , the total number of homeowner foreclosures rose nationally by 75 percent in 2007. At 280,000 foreclosure filings, Florida ranked second among all states, eclipsed only by California ’s 480,000 filings. 

Bigger water district budget, scaled-back construction part of U.S. Sugar deal

But governing agency plans more debt, not tax increases

Doubling the budget for South Florida water managers and potentially shelving some Everglades restoration projects are among the ways proposed to pay for the state’s bid to buyout U.S. Sugar.

Boyd testifies before Congressional subcommittee on red tide

Two members of Florida’s congressional delegation teamed up Thursday to educate fellow lawmakers about the physical and economic havoc that red tide and other algal blooms have inflicted on their communities.

FPL taps Calif. company to build 2 solar plants

Here comes the SunPower.

Florida Power & Light Co.’s announcement Thursday that it has chosen SunPower Corp. of San Jose, Calif., to build the largest photovoltaic solar power plant in the country in DeSoto County heralds “a new chapter” in the solar industry in America and the Sunshine State, SunPower said.

Disney’s gun stance draws fire

Walt Disney World said its employees are exempt from a law that lets workers keep guns in their cars.

Chip and Dale’s boss wants to pack heat.

White House Maintains Push For Federal Insurance Charters

A top Treasury Department official made clear yesterday that establishing an Office of Insurance Information within the Treasury Department is merely an interim step, and that the Bush administration’s “intermediate” priority remains creating a federal charter option for insurers.

House Okays Funds For Building Code Enforcement

The House passed legislation yesterday creating a national program that provides awards to local governments for building code administration and enforcement.

NCOIL Nixes U.S.-Backed State Catastrophe Funds

The National Conference of Insurance Legislators Subcommittee on Natural Disasters voted down an amended resolution today that would have supported the establishment of state catastrophe funds that would be eligible to receive federal funds.

Congress May Force Homeowners Behind Dams To Buy Flood Insurance

Lawmakers are moving forward with legislation that could force homeowners who live behind levees and dams to buy flood insurance from the federal government. The proposal is part of a major overhaul being debated in Congress of a federal flood insurance program that gives homeowners access to affordable flood coverage.

SVO To Provide Second Opinion On Bond Values

Insurers holding securities impacted by rating downgrades of bond insurers will be able to get an independent review of the bonds’ worth from the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, an SVO representative said.

Louisiana High Court Holds With Decision in Katrina Levee Case

The Louisiana Supreme Court refused July 8 to reconsider its recent ruling that an insurance company isn’t liable for water damage from the failure of levees in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath.

Allstate Comments on California Homeowners Rate Ruling

Allstate Senior Corporate Relations Manager Peter DeMarco today issued the following statement regarding the California Department of Insurance’s order to lower Allstate’s homeowners rates in California by 28.5%:

Calif. Consumer Law Applies To Insurers, Group Argues

The Consumer Watchdog group filed papers yesterday with the California Supreme Court arguing that the state’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act should apply to insurance companies.