Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, November 14
Nov 14, 2008
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Citizens Insurance ‘opt-out,’ ‘takeout’ system nettlesome
If you want to stick with the state-run Citizens Property Insurance, pray that private insurance companies don’t consider you a “desirable” policyholder.
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to shed 110,000 policies
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Thursday approved six companies to assume a total of 110,000 homeowner policies from Tallahassee-based Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Obama targets massive cuts for Florida’s largest HMO program
President-elect Barack Obama has targeted $15 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage, which hauls in more premium revenue and profit than any other HMO program in Florida.
Federal grants to be used to buy up South Florida foreclosures
South Florida governments are gearing up to spend more than $161 million in federal grant money to stimulate the housing market.
The buyer of that ramshackle foreclosure down the street just might be the government.
Florida Senate president extends olive branch to former rival
The incoming state Senate president patched up a two-year rift by naming a former rival to a powerful committee chairmanship.
In an peace offering, incoming Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater on Thursday named his former rival Miami Sen. Alex Villalobos to the powerful post of Senate rules chairman.
Brown & Brown Announces Asset Acquisition of Agency Associates
J. Scott Penny, regional executive vice president of Brown & Brown, Inc., and Frederick W. “Fred” McClaine, B. Michael Haffey and Ronald L. “Ron” Smith, principals of Agency Associates, Inc., announced on Nov. 13 the asset acquisition of Agency Associates, Inc. and certain affiliated entities by a subsidiary of Brown & Brown, Inc.
Three plead guilty to $17 million Medicare fraud
A Pembroke Pines couple and the man’s brother have pleaded guilty to bilking Medicare of $17 million.
David and Laura Hernandez were living large in Southwest Broward — in a 4,000-square-foot home with a swimming pool. Their meal ticket: Medicare fraud.
Florida Health Care Administration launches new Web site
The state Agency for Health Care Administration has added new features to its Web site, FloridaHealthFinder.gov, that enables the public to search data about health care facilities and the quality of care provided.
Sansom lukewarm on special session
Florida CFO Alex Sinks believes one is necessary to address revenue shortfall
State Rep. Ray Sansom may consider a special session of the Legislature to address Florida’s revenue shortfall, but not before he gets revenue estimates at a conference next Friday, he said.
Several states holding special budget sessions
Some of the states that have held special budget sessions or are planning or discussing them:
At Miami conference, GOP governors vow to right the ship
Gov. Sarah Palin took center stage in the last day of a GOP governors conference where leaders asked themselves where the party is headed — but did not find clear answers.
Two roads diverged in the GOP’s path toward the future in a meeting of Republican governors in Miami this week — and Gov. Charlie Crist took the one for a more moderate party.
Hard Rock launches casino-style card games
The ace dropped on the player’s jack. Another blackjack on the first day of previously banned card games at Tampa’s Seminole Hard Rock Casino. “God bless America,” said Scott from Tampa, in the midst of winning nearly $5,000 in 90 minutes. “I love the Indians.” He started into a version of the Twist.
Fla. officials count hundreds of new ballots
Officials in Hillsborough County have recovered several hundred absentee ballots that were locked away and uncounted for more than a week after Election Day.
U.S. Sugar pollution cleanup could cost Florida $44 million
Chemicals sponged into the farmlands the state is purchasing from U.S. Sugar Corp. to restore the Everglades will cost taxpayers an estimated $44 million to clean, an environmental analysis shows.
State approves Gulf Power solar energy incentives
One day after announcing it had approved this year’s second rate hike for Gulf Power, the Florida Public Service Commission made it easier its customers to save some money by using solar power.
Toxic trailers sold to public as scrap
The government is selling travel trailers to the public that were banned from use as emergency housing in disasters because many had toxic levels of formaldehyde.
U.S. Shifts Focus in Credit Bailout to the Consumer
The Treasury Department on Wednesday officially abandoned the original strategy behind its $700 billion effort to rescue the financial system, as administration officials acknowledged that banks and financial institutions were as unwilling as ever to lend to consumers.
Bush names prosecutor as TARP inspector general
President George W. Bush intends to nominate Assistant U.S. Attorney Neil Barofsky to be the special inspector general for the Troubled Assets Relief Program at the Treasury Department, the White House said on Friday.
Mich. Hosts Hearings on Auto Insurance Affordability; Industry Counters
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Regulation’s consumer advocate is hosting a series of public hearings on the issue of insurance affordability. Melvin Butch Hollowell was appointed by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm in March 2008, as Michigan’s first Automobile and Home Insurance Consumer Advocate.
New Alabama Commissioner to Consider Coastal Insurance Subsidies
Gov. Bob Riley’s new insurance commissioner said the administration is considering its options to help coastal property owners struggling with high premiums and lost coverage in the wake of hurricanes, including possible state assistance.
California State Fund Files an 8.9 Percent Premium Increase for 2009
California’s State Compensation Insurance Fund announced it filed a Jan. 1, 2009 revision to its rating plan, which it anticipates will result in an average 8.9 percent increase in collectible premium. Premiums for individual employers will also vary based on the experience of their particular rating class and experience modification, so individual employers will inevitably see more or less than the average change.
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