Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, May 2
May 2, 2008
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Legislature passes insurance bill; industry irked
A broad insurance bill that freezes rates charged by the state-run insurer and increases regulators’ power to police insurance companies passed the state Legislature Thursday afternoon.
Lawmakers freeze Citizens rates, tighten insurance restrictions
With Florida’s insurance market still unsettled, lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a plan that would extend a rate freeze for hundreds of thousands of homeowners and tighten restrictions on private insurers.
Property Insurance Measure a Mixed Bag
The bill has pros and cons for consumers and insurers.
A property insurance bill sent to the governor Thursday represents a mixed bag for consumers and insurance companies.
Worker safety bill heads to governor
It might only create a task force, but Florida lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a bill designed to prevent accidents like an explosion that killed two people at a Daytona Beach wastewater-treatment plant.
Compromise near on state health insurance plan
Up to 3.8 million uninsured Floridians could soon buy inexpensive health-coverage packages, after legislators tentatively agreed Thursday to a two-step plan serving individuals as well as businesses.
House, Senate OK Repeal Of 2 Health Care Programs
Even as House and Senate lawmakers neared agreement with Gov. Charlie Crist on a compromise plan to lower the uninsured rate, the chambers passed legislation that could end two health care programs that serve 40,000 vulnerable Floridians.
Crist open to insurance deregulation plan
Gov. Charlie Crist said he’s open to a House bill that would partially deregulate the health insurance industry in an effort to make cheaper options available for the uninsured.
Cusack bids term-limit farewell to state House
It should have been dinnertime.
Senator leaving the spotlight she tried to avoid
On Thursday, Sen. Lisa Carlton found herself in the one place in the Florida Legislature she finds most uncomfortable: the center of attention.
Senate President Pruitt honored, speaks of his son’s death
Senate President Ken Pruitt spoke openly about the unexpected death of his son during a speech to the chamber following the unveiling of his official portrait on the penultimate day of his two-year tenure as the chamber’s leader.
Many competitive congressional races will be on Fla. ballots
Many of Florida’s Congress members will face tough battles holding onto their seats this year as Democrats and Republicans compete for control of the U.S. House.
Travel agencies selling trips to Cuba face paying stiff fees to operate in Florida, under a measure passed by the state legislature.
Florida travel agents who arrange trips to Cuba are wondering whether they can afford to stay in business under new requirements adopted by the state Legislature Wednesday night.
Florida legislative session end set for smooth sailing
Leaders in both House and Senate said this morning they anticipate an orderly – and reasonably early – conclusion to the regular session today.
As Florida lawmakers close the 60-day session today, proposals for major education reform and a $650-million commuter rail plan for Orlando appear off the track.
Penny-pinching $66.2 billion Fla. budget set to pass
Schools may have to lay off teachers, their aides, custodians and clerical workers, turn up air conditioner thermostats, curtail bus routes and cut salaries.
Today is decision day for commuter rail
The catch in the Senate is that CSX wants legal safeguards before selling tracks.
Trial lawyers, labor unions and a handful of legislators were prepared to run out the clock today and kill Central Florida’s plans to build a commuter-rail system.
Almost as soon as she found out her lender had filed foreclosure, Deneen Whitley began getting phone calls, letters and pamphlets from foreclosure rescue services offering to save her Cutler Bay home from the clutches of the bank.
Commercial insurance rates down
A lull in hurricanes and more availability of reinsurance is making commercial insurance cheaper.
Hurricane season countdown begins
Officials say the most important personal protection is having a plan
It’s May, and the countdown to Hurricane Season 2008 starts in earnest, complete with a downpour of information about personal and business preparedness.
Deep dissent at Hurricane Center
Last year’s leadership crisis and staff mutiny at the National Hurricane Center exposed deep-rooted personal and departmental jealousies and frustrations that left many employees thoroughly demoralized, according to a study by independent experts.
Hurricanes, Hurricane Expos Are On The Horizon
‘Tis the season for hurricanes and hurricane expos.
Anti-gang measure awaits Crist signing
Anti-gang legislation instituting harsher penalties and organized crime-style prosecutions is heading to Gov. Charlie Crist but with no dollars for the enhanced enforcement.
Law toughening marijuana grow-house penalties passed
Running an indoor grow house to cultivate marijuana would bring stiffer penalties under a bill now heading to the governor’s desk.
EDITORIAL: Overreaching Abortion Bill Stopped
Early this week the state House of Representatives surprised Senate Majority Leader Daniel Webster, a former speaker, honoring him for his long tenure of public service by naming a meeting room for him.
Running an indoor grow house to cultivate marijuana would bring stiffer penalties under a bill now heading to the governor’s desk.
LEGISLATIVE PRESS RELEASE: Representative Peter Nehr Brings Fairness to Value Adjustment Boards
Legislation reforming the unfair practices of taxing property based on “highest and best use†won unanimous approval from both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. House Bill (HB) 909, sponsored by Representative Peter Nehr (R-Tarpon Springs), also makes the composition of Value Adjustment Boards (VABs) friendlier to taxpayers.
Brown & Brown Acquires Calif. Agency
Daytona Beach, Fla.-based insurance broker Brown & Brown said it has acquired Nathan Stone Insurance Agency Inc. of Encino, Calif. Terms of the deal were not released.
Louisiana: Leaving Citizens May Be Costly; Policies May Restrict Some Coverage
Some of the new insurance companies that are moving into the state and taking over policies from the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. are selling coverage that is different in small but important ways.
La. Senate OKs Regional Deductibles for Homeowners Policies
The Louisiana Senate voted to allow insurance companies to set different, “named storm” deductibles on homeowner policies depending on how far a property is from the hurricane-prone Gulf of Mexico.
Congress passes anti-genetic discrimination bill
Congress sent President Bush a bill Thursday forbidding employers and insurance companies from using genetic tests showing people are at risk of developing cancer, heart disease or other ailments to reject their job applications, promotions or health care coverage, or in setting premiums.
Buffett to Draw Biggest Crowd Ever for ‘Woodstock for Capitalists’
Few 77-year-olds could hold thousands of people in rapt attention for five hours. Sean Connery, maybe; Clint Eastwood, perhaps.
Safer Cars Mean More Savings, Expense For Insurers
Vehicle-makers’ expanding use of new systems and materials will burden property casualty-insurers with added costs for repairs, while reducing accident frequency, a new report predicts.
Delayed State Farm Case Gets Reassigned
Five years after Texas insurance regulators ordered State Farm to cut homeowners’ rates by 12 percent, the insurance company’s legal battle to avoid the reduction continues to languish.
Colorado Senate OKs Requiring Car Insurers to Offer Medical Coverage
Colorado drivers would be nudged into buying medical coverage on their car insurance policies under a proposal backed by the state Senate on April 29.
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