Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, July 2
Jul 2, 2010
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SBA’s Deadline for Physical Damage Disaster Loan Applications in Florida is July 26
The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations located in Hardee, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties of the deadline to submit disaster loan applications for damage caused by freezing temperatures and sinkholes that occurred on January 2 through February 1, 2010. The deadline to file an application for physical damage is July 26, 2010.
Storm officials rethink worst-case scenarios for Florida
More than 30 feet of sea water would cover low-lying areas of Sarasota if the worst hurricane possible — a storm even larger and more ferocious than Hurricane Katrina — struck here.
Florida’s Brown & Brown Acquires South Carolina’s Commonwealth Insurance
Insurance agency Brown & Brown Inc. has acquired Commonwealth Insurance Inc., of Charleston, South Carolina.
Higher truck weight limit in effect in Florida
Trucks weighing up to 88,000 pounds can travel on specific non-interstate routes in Florida, as of yesterday.
Pre-existing condition plan launched
Rep. Suzanne Kosmas, D-Fla., announced Thursday that Central Floridians are now able to register for the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan created under the Affordable Care Act.
Governor and legislators maneuver over special session to deal with oil spill impact
As the BP oil blowout saturates Northwest Florida’s already fragile economy with despair, a special legislative session in the coming weeks is becoming increasingly likely.
New Florida chief justice creates innocence panel
The Florida Supreme Court’s new chief justice has created an Innocence Commission as one of his first acts.
10 arrested in alleged South Florida mortgage fraud scheme
Authorities on Friday announced the arrests of 10 people involved in a mortgage fraud and identity theft ring operating in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Florida rolls out amnesty program for overdue state taxes
The Department of Revenue will waive penalty, cut interest
Florida taxpayers with any unpaid state tax bills hanging over their heads can clear that liability at a reduced cost during a three-month amnesty period that started Thursday and runs through Sept. 30.
‘Earmarks’ is a dirty word, but locally it’s a lucrative one
The First Coast’s five Congress members have together secured nearly $1.3 billion in their respective districts since 2008
Since 2008, area members of Congress have helped bag $1.3 billion in earmarks, the taxpayer-funded local projects that have helped fuel the election-year rhetoric of those who think government spends too much.
Oil spill disaster raises Crist’s profile as he campaigns for the U.S. Senate
The nation’s worst environmental disaster could be Gov. Charlie Crist’s lucky charm.
Governor candidate Rick Scott tells activists he’ll fight for states’ rights
Rick Scott, the billionaire, self-financed Republican candidate for governor, told a crowd of about 250 voters Thursday night that he would fight for “states’ rights” by suing the federal government to limit its influence over Florida.
Blog: Florida “Tea Party” spokesman resigns
Nick Egoroff, an Orlando area activist associated with controversial operative Doug Guetzloe, has announced he’s resigning as spokesman for the “Florida TEA Party,” a group accused of trying to exploit the tea party movement and in some cases mislead voters by getting TEA Party nominees on the ballot.
California Insurers Divest Nearly $400M in Iran-Related Assets
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced that his focus on reducing the exposure of California policyholders to risky Iran-related investments resulted in insurers selling nearly one-fifth of the assets the industry holds in the 50 companies the California Department of Insurance has identified to be doing business with Iran’s nuclear, energy and defense sectors in the first quarter of 2010.
Hartford Agrees to Reduce Texas Homeowners Rates, Pay Refunds
Under agreements between the Texas Office of Public Insurance Counsel, the Texas Department of Insurance, and two subsidiaries of the Hartford Financial Services Group, Texas consumers that purchase homeowner insurance from the Property and Casualty Co. of Hartford or the Hartford Lloyds Insurance Co. can expect to see a rate reduction.
Insurers Continue Seeking Wary Regulators’ Approval For Rate Hikes
Media coverage from various news outlets
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