Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, July 13

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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, known for being “The Terminator” in the movies, said in his political role he must be tougher than any Hollywood character to stem the tide of global warming.  Florida Governor Charlie Crist introduced “The Governator” at the Summit on Global Climate Change today in Miami. 

 

Governor Crist Signs Florida’s Energy Policy

 

MIAMI – Governor Charlie Crist today signed three Executive Orders initiating Florida’s energy policy. The signing ceremony concluded the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change held at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel in Miami on July 12-13, 2007.

 

 

Governor Crist Signs Executive Orders to Reduce Greenhouse Gases 

 

MIAMI – Governor Charlie Crist today signed three Executive Orders initiating Florida’s energy policy.  The Governor also signed partnership agreements with Germany and the United Kingdom outlining an agreement that focuses on climate policies and mutual economic benefits. The signing ceremony concluded the Serve to Preserve Florida Summit on Global Climate Change held at the Intercontinental Miami Hotel in Miami on July 12-13, 2007.  

 

2007-126-Executive Order that establishes climate change leadership by example.  2007-07-13

2007-127-Executive Order that establishes immediate actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within Florida.  2007-07-13

2007-128-Executive Order that establishes the Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change.  2007-07-13

Partnership on Global Climate Change Action between the United Kingdom and the State of Florida.  2007-07-13

Partnership on Global Climate Change Action between the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Florida.  2007-07-13

 

Weston mayor’s tax suit kicked down to trial court

The Florida Supreme Court refused to take up Weston Mayor Eric Hersh’s lawsuit challenging a property tax rollback and constitutional amendment approved by state lawmakers.

 

Powerful lawmakers’ brothers making their own runs

TALLAHASSEE — Two of the dozens of aspiring politicians trying to land a seat in the Florida House next year are likely the envy of their peers.

 

Successor’s raise among bills signed

Among the bills Gov. Kathleen Blanco signed into law Thursday was legislation that gives her successor a raise, insurance companies $100 million and homeowners another $100 million.

 

Allstate, Nationwide Show Support For NFIP Expansion

WASHINGTON —Allstate and Nationwide are bucking a large insurance industry segment by throwing their support behind some form of expansion of the National Flood Insurance Program to include windstorm coverage.

 

AIA-Commissioned Study Finds Inclusion Of Windstorm Insurance Would Increase NFIP’s Deficits

Respected Research Firm Concludes that H.R. 920 Could Increase Deficits by $100 to $200 Billion in a Single Year

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 11, 2007 – Gov. Marc Racicot, president of the American Insurance Association (AIA), today sent a letter to Rep. Gene Taylor (D-MS) sharing with him an analysis AIA commissioned to examine the effects of including windstorm insurance in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as proposed by H.R. 920, the “Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2007.”

 

Court Upholds Denial Of Subrogation In WTC Case

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court decision that dismissed a subrogation claim by Industrial Risk Insurers against Citigroup stemming from the terror attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

 

Allstate’s Grawe Becomes FIC Chair       

George Grawe, Regional Counsel for Allstate Insurance Company and the Allstate Floridian Insurance Companies, St. Petersburg, was installed as 2007/2008 Chairman of the Florida Insurance Council’s Executive Committee and Board during the Council’s annual conference June 24-27

 

Lightning Striking Can be Frightening for iPod, Cell Phone Users

Listen to an iPod during a storm and you may get more than electrifying tunes.  A Canadian jogger suffered wishbone-shaped chest and neck burns, ruptured eardrums and a broken jaw when lightning traveled through his music player’s wires.

 

Lawmakers lament results of property tax and insurance vows

MANATEE COUNTY — The big promises of statewide property tax and insurance reform quickly gave way this summer to widespread disappointment.

 

Wisconsin Collision Legislation Stalls

A measure opposed by the insurance industry, that would make it illegal for carriers to gives customers auto repair shop names after an accident, was stalled in committee this week.

 

States’ Civil Union Laws May Not Apply to Benefits Regulated by Feds

United Parcel Service has denied health benefits to some same-sex couples in New Jersey, a decision gay rights advocates say starkly illustrates the limitations of the state’s civil unions legislation.

 

Publix walk-in medical clinic in Wellington represents growing trend among retailers

Medical care offered on walk-in basis

Imagine you have a nonstop cough or your child has a painful earache on a Saturday. But your doctor’s office is closed, and you want to avoid the long wait and high fees of an emergency room visit.

 

FEMA trailer plaintiff dies of cancer

BATON ROUGE, La. — A woman who claimed in a lawsuit that FEMA trailers exposed their residents to formaldehyde has died of lung cancer.

 

NOAA: No La Nina in summer, but active hurricane season expected

MIAMI — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that La Nina – a cooling of ocean waters that generally brings a more active Atlantic hurricane season – will be absent for the next two months.

 

Signs Still Point To Big Storm Season

The meteorological unit of a reinsurance brokerage said its latest research still finds that this year’s hurricane season will be above average.

 

Law On Medical Privacy Goes Too Far

Anyone who has visited a doctor’s office or been admitted to a hospital knows physicians and nurses go out of their way to protect patients’ privacy, but a recent story in The New York Times suggests the laws on confidentiality are being interpreted beyond the realm of reasonableness.

 

Marsh & McLennan sued by ex-COO of unit

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A former chief operating officer at a Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.(MMC.N) unit has sued the world’s largest insurance broker by market value, alleging he was not properly compensated after being fired in the aftermath of a 2004 bid-rigging scandal.

 

Judge sets class-action against Caterpillar: lawyer

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A federal judge in Tennessee has granted class-action status to a 2006 case against heavy construction vehicle maker Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) regarding insurance benefits, the lead attorney representing more than 4,000 retirees and surviving spouses said on Friday.

 

J. Rolfe Davis insurance agency forms alliance with Tampa agency

The J. Rolfe Davis insurance agency in Maitland has formed a “strategic business alliance” with an independent insurance agency based in Tampa.