Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, November 12
Nov 12, 2010
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THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Florida Lawmakers Target Storm Readiness Veto
Saying the provision reduces already depressed selling prices and lacks any uniform standards, Realtors on Friday applauded lawmakers who next week will attempt to override a veto that if left intact would require coastal property sellers to tell potential buyers what they’ve done to hurricane-proof their homes.
The Wall Street Journal Blog: Florida Court Relieves Builders of Some Chinese Drywall Liability
A Florida court ruling relieves home builders of some liability in the ongoing dispute over the use of defective Chinese drywall, which thousands of homeowners say has driven down home values and caused health problems.
Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Enhances Outreach Program
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has distributed an agent bulletin on its inspection and outreach program.
Florida still needs more hurricane shelters
A biannual state report says Florida is reducing its hurricane shelter deficit but still needs more safe places from storms.
Florida Senate schedules all day Medicaid meeting following special session
The Senate will host an all day Medicaid meeting in Tallahassee November 17 and wants to hear from anyone who has something to say about the health care program that pays the bills for the disabled, poor and elderly.
Prescription Drug Bill Divides GOP Donors
A veto override planned by Florida’s Republican legislative leaders is driving a wedge between major GOP donors, with business groups and health care giants Wednesday renewing their fight over a prescription drug bill.
Scott asks Environmental Protection Agency to delay Florida water pollution rule
Florida’s incoming governor and other newly elected Republicans on Friday joined a chorus of politicians and others who have been urging the Environmental Protection Agency to delay new water pollution rules.
Governor-elect Rick Scott issues ethics code
Gov.-elect Rick Scott ordered a one-year lobbying ban for members of his transition staff and volunteers Tuesday.
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Thurman quitting
Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman is stepping down after the drubbing Democrats received on Election Day in the Sunshine State and throughout the nation.
Florida waits for Rick Scott to reveal his transportation goals
Decisions on new DOT secretary, high-speed rail, other projects loom
Transportation wasn’t a major discussion point during the 2010 Florida governor’s race.
Blog: This would be huge–Is Rick Scott trying to hire ‘Superman’ Michelle Rhee?
Florida’ education community is abuzz with rumors that governor-elect Rick Scott is interested in hiring reformer Michelle Rhee, the former Washington, D.C. Chancellor of Schools who was featured in the documentary “Waiting for Superman” as a possible replacement for Florida education commissioner.
Angst growing in South Florida over immigration policies
Undocumented arrivals fear a Republican crackdown on immigration, but some activists remain hopeful immigration reform will happen
Fear is spreading among many day laborers in South Florida after Republicans won control of the House of Representatives, a move immigration activists say will make it more difficult — if not impossible — to legalize millions of undocumented immigrants.
Only limited energy rebates expected from Legislature’s special session
The Legislature is proposing a solution for repaying Floridians who bought energy-efficient air conditioners and solar panels that may make only some buyers happy.
Amendment 8 Vote Will Add $1 Billion to State Budget
Florida voters sent mixed fiscal signals when they overwhelmingly approved a nonbinding referendum calling on the federal government to balance its budget.
Dengue fever case turns in Miami
Health officials warned people to take precautions against the mosquito carriers
The first locally acquired case of dengue fever in Miami-Dade County in more than 50 years was confirmed Thursday by health officials. They warned people to take precautions against the mosquitoes that carry it.
Blog: FPL President — Customers should pay for renewable energy
Florida Power & Light President Armando Olivera told the Sun Sentinel editorial board today that renewable energy projects don’t pay off for investors in Florida because the state does not provide incentives that exist elsewhere.
Will Florida see construction jobs boom? Moody’s says yes, others, no
Hammer and nails could be flying off the shelves next year if the predictions of one economic forecaster come true.
It was a lecture Richard Quinn hoped he would never have to deliver.
Insurers, Clearinghouses Said to Be Considered for Basel Rules
Insurance companies and firms that handle financial trades may be deemed too-big-to-fail under rules being crafted by global regulators amid opposition from insurers, said two people with inside knowledge of the discussions.
California Insurance Commissioner Sues to Stop Insurance Companies From Investing in Iran
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced that he is filing a lawsuit challenging a California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) determination, issued last month at the behest of the insurance industry, that the Commissioner’s efforts to stop insurers from investing in Iran constituted an “underground regulation.”
Swaps Rules Would Hit Few Players
Only a few companies are likely to face new requirements that aim to tame risk-taking in derivatives, a top federal regulator said Thursday, in what would be a win for hedge funds and life insurers trying to escape tougher oversight.
California Supreme Court Declines to Take Up Controversial Workers’ Comp Case
The California Supreme Court has declined to review the decision in Milpitas Unified School District v. WCAB (Guzman), a case that is being heavily watched by the workers compensation insurance industry.
Guy Carpenter Survey: Program Business Stable But Less Profitable
The current insurance program market is mature and stable, with business estimated at $20 billion, but profitability may be declining, according to a new survey of program administrators and managing general agents.
Property/Casualty Insurers Contend They Are Not ‘Systemically Risky,’ Explain AIG Exception
Property and casualty insurance companies “do not have the characteristics of a firm that pose a system risk,” and therefore should not be subject to federal oversight, a coalition of large insurers told federal regulators.
Missouri Attorney General, Insurance Chief Target Auto Warranty Firms
Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said he is amending his lawsuits against three companies that sold bogus auto warranty products by including the allegation that the companies have been selling insurance without a state license through the sale of additive contracts.
Ties to Insurers Could Land Mortgage Servicers in More Trouble
Force-placed policies impose costs on both homeowner, investor
When banks buy insurance on the homes of borrowers whose policies have lapsed, they get a great deal.
There are currently 178 private companies that provide workers’ compensation coverage in West Virginia, according to West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline.
Discovery rule could apply in contractor-error case
Q. We built a vacation home in 1989. We recently discovered that the contractor made some serious errors in construction.
New Ways Bankers Are Spying on You
With lenders still skittish about making new loans, credit bureaus and others are hawking services that help banks probe deeply into your financial closet.
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