Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, November 20
Nov 20, 2009
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Fla. Raises Citizens Rates For High Risk Properties
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty announced he had signed an order increasing rates for the state-created insurer of last resort’s high risk accounts to make them financially adequate.
BLOG: Some good news for consumers as state tackles property insurance
Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty told the Florida Cabinet Tuesday that State Farm may not leave the state’s property insurance market as planned and the state is developing a report card on insurers to help consumers and increase competition.
Florida has yet to commit to using federal money for drywall repairs
The Louisiana Legislature passed a law that allows the state to use $5 million in federal grants to repair homes with tainted Chinese drywall. So far, Florida lawmakers have failed to follow suit.
Broward grand jury recommends pain clinic reforms
A Broward County grand jury suggests a series of new reforms to stop the explosion of unregulated pain clinics selling illegal narcotics.
A Broward County grand jury issued a damning report Thursday bemoaning the explosion of illegal painkillers sold through Broward pain clinics — and warning that reforms passed by the Legislature may not be enough.
Florida Jury Orders $300 Million Damages for Ex-Smoker
A Florida jury Thursday ordered cigarette maker Philip Morris USA to pay $300 million in damages to a 61-year-old ex-smoker named Cindy Naugle who is wheelchair-bound by emphysema.
Cigarette tax boosts state budget
Cigarettes sales are down 27 percent in Florida during the last four months, thanks to a new $1-a-pack tax designed to balance the budget and cut down on smoking.
Florida’s senators: Room for improvement in health care reform bill
Both of Florida’s senators say there’s plenty of room for improvement to the health care reform bill being brought to debate by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
Florida posts nation’s largest drop in new unemployment insurance claims
Florida is leading the country on the jobless front- in a good way.
Florida has most new home foreclosures
The foreclosure crisis likely will persist well into next year as high unemployment pushes more people out of homes, pulls down housing prices and raises concerns about the broader economic recovery.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Public Records Laws Not Keeping Up With Tech Changes
The state’s open records laws can’t keep pace with technology, legal professionals and state technology chiefs told the Attorney General’s Sunshine Tech Team Friday.
At UF, Crist official rips latest growth management law
He labeled new laws that open up land for easier development as “hasty hit and run.”
Making his second run as secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Thomas Pelham said the process of regulating growth has taken a turn for the worse.
Drawing from the familiar playbook of an underdog, former House Speaker Marco Rubio is continuing to call for a debate with his U.S. Senate GOP primary opponent, Gov. Charlie Crist.
Cut services? Hike taxes? Recession has GOP in a fix
For decades, Floridians have essentially bought government on the cheap, satisfying a swelling appetite for expanded services with taxes paid in large measure by visitors and newcomers.
Turnpike to Pull Booths, Not Tolls
Drivers on a 47-mile stretch of Florida’s Turnpike won’t have to stop or slow down to pay tolls starting in 2011.
Florida awarded $1.25M federal grant to survey green jobs
Florida’s lead agency charged with spurring employment has received a $1.25 million federal grant to identify and classify the number of green jobs in the state and the skills needed to fill those jobs.
Ohio AG Sues National Ratings Agencies Over Securities Information
Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has filed a lawsuit against national securities and credit ratings agencies Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch over what the AG’s office called “false and misleading” securities information.
U.S. recovers $2.4B in fraud settlements
The U.S. recovered $2.4 billion in settlements and judgments in cases involving fraud against the government in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, the Department of Justice said Thursday.
PCI Names New Southeast Atlantic Region Regional Manager
We are pleased to announce that Micaela Isler has joined PCI as regional manager, state government relations, effective December 8, 2009.
First Chinese drywall trial is set for January
The first Chinese drywall trial is now scheduled, and it will involve a manufacturer controlled by the Chinese government itself.
Conseco subsidiary reaches reinsurance agreement
Conseco Inc. said Friday that a subsidiary has reached a reinsurance agreement with Wilton Reassurance Co. covering about 237,000 life insurance policies.
How Storms Can Trigger Earthquakes
Scientists are increasingly pointing to storms as a trigger for earthquakes and mudslides.
U.S. House Financial Services: The Truth V. The National Journal–You have got to be kidding
Today, House Financial Services Committee Communications Director Steve Adamske released the following statement after reading the Nov. 21 National Journal article, “End of the Beginning,” written by John Maggs.
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