Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, March 6
Mar 6, 2009
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Florida Lawmakers want State Farm back, at any price
Leaders from both parties urged Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty to try to bring State Farm Florida back into the property insurance market, and the top Democrat in the Senate upbraided McCarty at a committee meeting.
Senators grill state insurance chief
State Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty was sharply questioned by a Senate committee on Thursday over state efforts to shore up its hurricane catastrophe fund.
Florida Cat Fund Can’t Handle Major Storm, Says McCarty
The Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund could face a significant shortfall if a major storm hits Florida this year, the state’s insurance commissioner told a State Senate committee Thursday.
Florida‘s hurricane catastrophe fund needs infusion before storm season
Insurance regulators have 30 to 45 days to come up with a plan to shore up the state’s hurricane catastrophe fund, which backs up the private insurers operating in Florida.
Cat Fund Credit woes could increase Florida mortgage defaults
The national credit crunch could threaten the viability of Florida’s hurricane insurance backup fund and that could lead to more home foreclosures, the state’s insurance commissioner told a Senate committee Thursday.
South Florida home insurer used unlicensed agents, Florida CFO says
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink has charged Boca Raton-based People’s Trust Homeowners Insurance with using unlicensed agents, threatening to pull the company’s license.
Warning issued on wildfire risk in South Florida after record-setting dry spell
An arid winter. Longer, hotter days. No rain on the radar.
Florida Insurance Taxes Could Fund Private School Vouchers
Insurance taxes may pay for private school vouchers in Florida for low income children.
EDITORIAL: Fugate, Klein offer relief in the wake of catastrophes
Washington’s now the holder of two keys that can help Florida and much of the nation better manage their response to hurricanes and other disasters.
South Florida healthcare firm settles back-dating case
Federal regulators Thursday charged Sunrise-based Pediatrix Medical Group, now known as Mednax, with back-dating stock options for executives and employees from 1997 to 2000.
Study: In Florida, Medicare plus means big HMO profits
Humana and Aetna earned the biggest profits among Florida health maintenance organizations in 2007, but CarePlus, which does only Medicare, raked in by far the biggest profits per member, thanks to lucrative payments from the federal government, according to a study being released Friday.
AARP is cheering Gov. Charlie Crist’s move to abandon what remains of a Jeb Bush-era initiative to overhaul long-term care for seniors.
Florida corporate tax glitch bill goes to governor
A bill to fix a corporation income tax law glitch, which could have cost Florida businesses millions, was the first measure to pass both houses in this year’s regular state legislative session Thursday.
Crist says tax hikes for businesses possible
Two days after Gov. Charlie Crist said there was no need to raise taxes to cover an anticipated $2 billion spending gap, he said he may be willing to do just that so the state can use federal stimulus money for unemployment payments.
Florida jobless rate leaps to 8.6%; South Florida fares better
Florida’s unemployment rate hit 8.6 percent in January, jumping a full point from the previous month, the state labor department said Friday.
High court leaves gambling decision with Legislature
The U. S. Supreme Court this week rejected an appeal by the Seminole Tribe of Florida that asked the high court to overthrow the Florida Supreme Court’s decision invalidating their deal with Gov. Charlie Crist.
Water bottlers warm to sales tax, oppose governor’s plan
Lobbyists for the bottled water industry are offering an olive branch in the impending tax fight over their product: a sales tax.
Florida signs $1.2 billion construction contract to rebuild Interstate 595
The $1.2 billion project to rebuild Interstate 595 will soon be under way, a deal projected to pump up to $1 million a day into the South Florida economy.
National Flood Insurance Expected to Get 5 Day Extension Today
The U.S. Senate delayed action last night on a federal omnibus bill that provides funding to most of the federal government, including the nation’s federal flood insurance program that expires today.
National Insurance Modernization Act Bill Introduction in the Works
Melissa Bean, D-Ill., announced that she and Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., will co-sponsor the National Insurance Modernization Act (NIMA) in the next several weeks.
SEC Roundtable to Examine Oversight of Credit Rating Agencies
The Securities and Exchange Commission will hold a roundtable on April 15 relating to its oversight of credit rating agencies. Discussion topics will include issues related to recent SEC rulemaking initiatives, such as conflicts of interest, competition, and transparency.
Justice Department Rule Will Help Increase Public Transparency of Flooded and Rebuilt Wrecks
The Department of Justice recently issued final rules to help deter auto fraud by connecting motor vehicle agencies in states throughout the country and requiring more insurance companies to disclose totaled vehicles.
Time Magazine: The Health-Care Crisis Hits Home
When you’ve been strong and fit your whole life, it can be easy to discount your body’s first whispers of sickness as merely the side effects of daily living.
Chubb Launches Media Liability Platform in Response to Industry Convergence
Recognizing that media and non-media companies are now disseminating information and other content through multiple channels, the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies has launched MediaGuard(SM).
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