Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, June 13

 

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Florida Is Uniquely Vulnerable

A much-needed climate-change bill was defeated a week ago today in the U.S. Senate when supporters fell short of the votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.

Past storms taught lessons big businesses won’t forget

Think you’ve got a big job securing your home and keeping your family safe during a hurricane?

Real Life: It’s never hurricane season for Jacksonville

In 33 years, Tom Merten has never put up hurricane shutters.

Marco Island fire assessment moves step forward

Property owners may see another assessment added to tax bills

Discussions of a fire assessment may turn up the heat on Marco Island City Councilors.

Color graphic to show threat storms pose

If a hurricane threatens South Florida this year, the National Weather Service in Miami plans to provide a special graphic depicting in detail how this region might be affected.

Study: Patients need HMO shield

Like most other states, Florida offers few basic protections for consumers purchasing health insurance, according to a national report released Thursday.

EDITORIAL: It’s risky time of year for teen drivers

For teenagers, summer is synonymous with freedom. But June, July and August mark the most dangerous time of the year for teen drivers — an average of more than 17 per day die on U.S. roads during those months.

COLUMN: Some cheerful news about a dreaded date

Well, it’s Friday the 13th and gasoline is four bucks a gallon.

Crist orders agencies to trim 4 percent

Gov. Charlie Crist ordered all state agencies Thursday to reduce spending by 4 percent in the coming fiscal year, just a day after signing an already pared down state budget.

Ask the Governor: Debris on roads a serious issue

Q. A couple of months ago while traveling on I-95 near Daytona Beach, the truck in front of me lost the tread on one of its tires.

Crist signs 4 bills to help military, veterans

Businesses owned or run by disabled veterans will get preference when trying to get a state contract under a bill signed by Gov. Charlie Crist.

Crist’s style called Republican Party’s future

Florida Republicans get it, and they want the rest of the nation to watch and follow their lead.

That was the message from Florida Republican party leaders as they gathered in Orlando to honor Florida Republican governors and tout their own winning formula.

Shuttle retirement will hurt Florida’s Space Coast

In the shadow of the Kennedy Space Center, the countdown has begun in the towns that run on the space program’s clock.

Oelrich ranked 1st by pro-business group

The Cross Creek Republican and former Alachua County sheriff voted in-line with AIF priorities 92 percent of the time.

Crist: McCain’s White House bid depends on Florida

Gov. Charlie Crist and two former Republican chief executives who needed support of conservative Democrats to get elected told GOP donors Thursday night that Sen. John McCain’s chances of winning the White House will depend heavily on what happens in Florida.

Hometown Democracy Sues Over Petition Law

A group suing to add a growth management proposal to November’s ballot says it is battling a Legislature that has waged “war” on the citizens petition process.

GOP blocks consideration of Medicare bill

Republican senators blocked legislation Thursday that would trim payments to private health insurers serving people in Medicare and use the savings to raise reimbursement rates for doctors.

Colorado Approves Auto Insurance Med Pay Bill, ‘Bad Faith’ Bill

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has signed Senate Bill 11, which creates rules concerning funding for the provision of uncompensated trauma care to persons injured in motor vehicle accidents, and House Bill 1407, allowing the insurance commissioner to increase the penalties that the commissioner could impose when insurance carriers act unreasonably.

Mercury Provides California Policyholders $61 Million Rate Reduction

George Joseph, founder and chairman of Mercury General Corp. announced the company has filed for and was approved for a 33 percent rate reduction for homeowners and 10 percent rate reduction for renters insurance policyholders in California.

RMS To Offer Catastrophe Updates Online

Newark, Calif.-based Risk Management Solutions (RMS) has launched an initiative to keep businesses informed of the impact of catastrophic events by making its expert analysis publicly available on its Web site.

Most States Fail to Protect Consumers Against Insurance Company Abuses

First 50-State Survey of Insurance Commissioners Shows States Offer Few Protections against Common Insurance Company Abuses

A 50-state survey, released today, reveals that insurance companies in most states are not prohibited from denying health coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, refusing to pay for services needed to treat common ailments, adding huge premium surcharges for people with family histories of health problems, and yanking policies and denying payments when consumers face a rash of medical bills.

Aflac’s duck has new pitch for small firms

For years, Aflac’s memorable duck commercials have advised would-be buyers of the company’s supplemental insurance policies to “ask about it at work.”