Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, June 25
Jun 25, 2010
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Florida Chief McCarty Calls for ‘Substantive Change’ in Property Market
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty thinks the time has come for the private insurance industry and public leaders to move beyond debating regulation of insurance rates and “be open and willing to make substantive changes” in the way business is conducted in the Sunshine State.
Orlando Will Use Firefighters to Transport Accident Victims
After years of resisting, Orlando has reversed its position on using firefighters to transport sick and injured residents to the hospital.
No Buyers for Troubled Insurer’s Florida Long Term Care Business
St. Louis-based National States Insurance Co. was taken over by the Missouri Department of Insurance in April, but despite being in the rehabilitation process, it continues to renew policies, collect premiums, and pay claims.
Petraeus meets with Florida Senators LeMieux, Nelson
Gen. David Petraeus met with Sen. George LeMieux today and Sen. Bill Nelson yesterday as part of his goal to meet with every member of the Armed Services Committee, which is expected to swiftly confirm him as commander of the war in Afghanistan.
Pensacola Beach first in Fla. to close
A Florida beach was closed to visitors for the first time because of the Gulf oil spill Thursday as workers tried to remove pools of black sludge from Pensacola Beach’s once-white sands.
Sarasota County sues Wells Fargo over $40 million investment loss
Karen Rushing, Sarasota County’s clerk of the circuit court, has filed suit against Wells Fargo Bank in a last-ditch effort to recoup $40 million in losses suffered by the county, mainly when Lehman Brothers went belly up in September 2008.
Florida seeking $3 million for late FCAT scores
Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith wants $3 million in damages from a contractor for delays in grading standardized tests.
New Florida law can make renters pay homeowner-association fees
Donna Collins, who pays rent on the Kissimmee home she shares with her elderly mom, faces a new threat of eviction starting next week when Florida law allows homeowner associations to pursue renters, not just landlords, for overdue fees.
Judge again rejects Sansom’s motion to dismiss charges
A judge has again rejected former House Speaker Ray Sansom’s attempt to dismiss the criminal charges against him stemming from a $6 million budget appropriation prosecutors say was going to benefit a private developer.
Financial woes forcing Florida municipalities to begin slashing pension plans
Once they were considered a sacred perk for public sector employees. But pensions have morphed into an albatross for many municipalities, compounded by shrinking tax revenues, investment losses and longer life spans. Now cities such as Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach are reining in costs for future retirees, with others ready to follow suit
Legal free-for-all over Fla. redistricting issues
Lawsuits seeking to knock three redistricting proposals off the Nov. 2 ballot have become a legal and political free-for-all.
Sunshine State News: Tea vs. TEA: Parties Battle in Palm Beach County Federal Court
VIDEO INSIDE: Political groups ask federal judge to decide who, if anyone, controls the ‘tea’ brand in Florida
Battling over names and rights, “tea party” groups sparred Wednesday in federal court in West Palm Beach.
Blog: Broward legislator Thurston only Democrat on ‘champion for business’ list
State Rep. Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, is the only Democrat on Associated Industries of Florida’s new “Champions for Business” in 2010 list.
Florida Turnpike officials hope devices cut truck pollution at plazas
The acrid smell of burning diesel fuel and the noise of knocking engines often dominate the parking lots of service plazas along Florida’s Turnpike, as large trucks idle while drivers catch a few hours’ sleep or stop to use the bathroom.
Tax Affecting Large Insurers Included In Financial Services Agreement
House and Senate negotiators added at the last moment a tax on large financial institutions, including insurers, before completing work early today on sweeping financial services legislation.
Attorney Contingency Fee Bill Dies in Final Hours of Louisiana Session
Surplus lines, Chinese drywall legislation passed
As time ran out on the Louisiana legislative session, lawmakers were unable to complete a deal on a Senate Bill 731, which would have allowed the attorney general to hire outside attorneys on a contingency fee basis, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).
U.S. Supreme Court Justices Limit Fraud Law
Court Rules Prosecutors Overreached in Convictions of Enron’s Skilling, Others
The Supreme Court eviscerated a favorite prosecution tool often used against corporate and public corruption, issuing a trio of unanimous decisions that dealt a blow to two of the landmark corporate cases of the last decade, the convictions of Enron Corp.’s Jeffrey Skilling and former media mogul Conrad Black.
West Virginia Supreme Court OKs Suits Against Insurers Under Human Rights Law
West Virginians can bring bad faith lawsuits against insurance companies under the state’s human rights act, the state Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Texas windstorm group won’t cover evacuation costs
Policyholders with the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association will be on their own for the cost of evacuation from hurricanes.
New York Eyes Tweaks to Windstorm Deductible Bill to End Trigger Confusion
New York lawmakers have amended a windstorm deductible bill in a way that some say will stop the confusion over windstorm triggers for the state’s coastal property owners.
Moody’s: Small Insurers May Need to Raise Capital for Solvency II
Smaller carriers may need to raise capital to adhere to Solvency II requirements, leading to negative credit implications, according to Moody’s Investors Service.
Louisiana Gov. Adds to Attorney General’s Coffers for BP Investigation
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has designated another $5 million – for a total of $10 million – of the $25 million block grant provided by BP to Attorney General Buddy Caldwell’s office to support expenses incurred as a result of the BP oil spill.
Tiremakers sue own attorneys over product liability case
Goodyear and Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America Ltd. have filed a lawsuit against two attorneys with the Chicago firm of Perkins Coie L.L.P., alleging their negligence cost the tire companies an easy victory in a product liability case.
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