Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, June 15
Jun 15, 2007
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To Dismay of Some in Florida, Legislators Cut Property Taxes
Addressing rising anger about the cost of owning a home in Florida — and the recent troubles of the state’s real estate industry — the Legislature on Thursday approved a plan for a property tax cut it said would be the largest in state history.
The Florida Legislature passed the biggest property-tax cut in state history Thursday amid partisan quarrels about relieving over-taxed citizens and gutting schools and emergency services.
Potential cuts average $1,300 as lawmakers OK historic property tax reform
TALLAHASSEE — The average Florida homeowner could see a $1,300 drop in annual property taxes by the fall of 2008 under a historic tax-cut package state legislators approved Thursday in answer to cries for relief from across the state.
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist is honing his pitch to convince voters they can’t live without deep property tax cuts the Legislature has put to public vote in January.
Top congressional Democrats are thriving financially
The political fortunes of new congressional leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid soared last year, and financial disclosure forms revealed Thursday they’re also doing well in personal money matters.
OP-ED: No-Fault Auto Insurance
Extending PIP is the wrong choice
The sky is falling. At least that’s what supporters of Florida’s failed no-fault auto insurance want you to believe will happen when legislators choose to bring it to its rightful end. But don’t be fooled. Legislators will be standing up for consumers, saving them billions, giving them more choice and eliminating a system which has spawned what House Speaker Marco Rubio termed “an entire fraud industry.”
Crist: PIP Not Coming Up Until Fall
Governor Charlie Crist said Tuesday he does not see auto insurance coming up during the current Special Session, but that it could be dealt with “later in the fall”, probably September.
AIG Sues Greenberg For $1 Billion
A day after American International Group’s former chairman, Maurice Greenberg, filed papers accusing AIG’s new management of costly blunders in a financial restatement, the company filed a $1 billion-plus lawsuit against him.
Senators keep ban on drilling offshore, despite Virginian’s proposal
WASHINGTON · A bid to relax the long-standing moratorium on new offshore oil drilling died Thursday in the Senate as an energy bill became bogged down by fights that underscored the regional nature of energy politics.
Cable law changes worry counties
Officials who run government-access TV channels on the Treasure Coast fear their days of providing easy access to government meetings for residents may be numbered because of a bill signed last month that rewrites rules for cable companies.
Florida Regulators, Industry At Odds On Scoring
Florida insurance regulators and industry representatives continue to spar over credit scoring rules aimed at quantifying the impact on groups based on race and income factors.
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Failing the elderly
Palmetto facility shows gaps in safety net
Manatee County residents worried about the welfare of infirm relatives in local assisted living facilities or nursing homes will find little reassurance in the closure of the Palmetto Guest Home three weeks ago by state regulators.
Unwanted $10 million Florida road may lead to Alaska congressman
An unexpected $10 million congressional earmark might seem like money from heaven for a fast-growing county needing billions for transportation improvements, but that’s not the case with Coconut Road.
Troubled home loans increase as interest rates rise on adjustable mortages
Turmoil in the housing market is swirling around an increase in troubled loans and a new threat, rising interest rates.
Foreclosure Rate Hits Historic High
The percentage of U.S. mortgages entering foreclosure in the first three months of the year was the highest in more than 50 years, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Current Account Trade Deficit Increases
WASHINGTON — The deficit in the broadest measure of trade increased in the first three months of this year, pushed higher by rising oil prices.
Forum to discuss new insurance laws
NEW PORT RICHEY – Area legislators and representatives from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation will host a public forum to discuss recent changes to homeowners insurance law as well as new optional sinkhole coverage.
N.J. Could Join States Penalizing Drivers Using Cell Phones
New Jersey could become the fourth state to allow police to ticket drivers whenever they’re seen using a hand-held cell phone while driving.
SACRAMENTO – State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced today plans to further expand the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (CLCA) to ten additional counties –Santa Cruz, Solano, Marin, Madera, Placer, Napa, Yolo, Mendocino, Kings, and Lake.
Large employers call for health, benefits overhaul
A coalition of large employers yesterday unveiled a healthcare and fringe benefits reform proposal aimed at reeling in costs borne by the private sector and providing workers with benefits they can maintain if they change jobs.
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I.R.S. Seeks More Charity Transparency
The Internal Revenue Service yesterday proposed a vast overhaul of the main tax form for charities, an effort to make it easier for the I.R.S. and the public to tell how much nonprofit groups are paying their executives and how much of their money goes toward fund-raising.