Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, Nov. 30

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Managers work on solutions for $14 billion frozen in fund

Florida money managers expect today to hire an independent adviser to help guide the state through a financial panic that shut down local accounts in a $14 billion investment pool.

 

Panel revives the property tax swap

The tax swap is back.  A plan to replace some property taxes with a temporary increase in the sales tax is under review by the panel that has the power to put such an amendment directly on the November 2008 ballot — the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.

 

Constitutional panel wants to explore services tax

A constitutional panel revived the idea of applying the state’s sales tax to services Friday, something the Legislature enacted 20 years ago but repealed within months after a crescendo of opposition from affected businesses.

 

Rubio backs property tax petition drive

Continuing to bash a property-tax plan he reluctantly voted for, House Speaker Marco Rubio is now urging supporters to back a citizens’ petition to cap the total amount of taxes paid by every property owner.

 

Insurance official: Florida is ‘riskiest place to write insurance in the world

The nonstop coastal building across Florida has pushed the insurance risk in the state to nearly $2 trillion, keeping it the diciest place in the world for insurers, an industry analyst said Thursday.

 

State wins hurricane gamble

Back in January, the Florida Legislature wagered against the 2007 hurricane season, taking on more risk than ever before in hopes of a big payoff – drastic property insurance rate cuts.

 

Hurricanes are over; insurance rip-off isn’t

The hurricane season officially ends today. Despite dire predictions from forecasters last spring, the USA was virtually unhit for the second straight year, with only one minor Category 1 hit in Texas.

 

Hurricane homeowner aid deadline nears

Nearly 12,000 applicants for homeowner aid through a hurricane recovery program have not signed up for appointments to calculate their grants – or determine their eligibility – as a weekend deadline looms.

 

Avoid complacency

Today’s the day to begin breathing easier. This is the day the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season officially expires.

 

No hurricanes, no rate relief this season

Although no hurricanes hit Florida for the second consecutive season, homeowners should expect little, if any, rate relief in their storm insurance premiums, industry officials said today.

 

Two sides dig in for insurance fight

A fight between regulators and the state’s two largest home insurers over an interpretation of the law could determine whether their customers will pay less for their insurance.

 

Insurer Claims Software Mistreats Customers, Says CFA

Claims handling software being marketed to insurers is creating a system where underwriters profit by unfairly reducing customers’ claims payments, a consumer insurance expert said today.

 

S&P Expects TRIEA Will Pass

Congress will pass legislation extending the federal backstop for terrorism with the shorter life span preferred by the Senate over a House version, Standard & Poor’s predicts.

 

State, CSX conclude track deal for commuter rail

The train to DeBary and DeLand now has a track to run on, as Central Florida’s commuter rail program cleared a huge hurdle Thursday when the state wrapped up negotiations on buying 61 miles of track.

 

Republicans look to retired Army officer to unseat U.S. Rep. Klein

Back in the United States after working as a military contractor in Afghanistan, Allen West is on the campaign trail full time, hoping to wrest a Broward-Palm Beach County seat away from freshman U.S. Rep. Ron Klein.

 

Fact Check: Democrats and Insurance

Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama are in a tussle over whether the government should require everyone to carry health insurance.