Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, Oct. 26

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Citizens Property Insurance to lose 200,000 policies

Instead of being swamped with new policies, state-run Citizens Property Insurance now expects to see more than 200,000 leave its books before year-end.

 

New insurers slow growth of Citizens

New insurance companies in Florida are helping ease the blistering pace of growth at Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

 

House OKs Revised Property Tax Plan

State House members approved a new rendition of their property tax proposal Monday, while the chamber across the Capitol remained dark without a guarantee of reopening this session.

 

Crist: Insurance Firms Subpoenaed

Gov. Charlie Crist in Lakeland on Thursday fired another shot in his war against the state’s property insurance providers, announcing he has issued subpoenas to several companies and may take criminal or civil action against them if they don’t back off on rate increases.

 

Lobbyists Back 5% Tax Cap on Properties

As House and Senate leaders continued their standoff over property taxes Thursday, most business lobbyists say they support a5 percent cap on property assessments for nonhomestead property, although that appears to be the most contentious element in the negotiations over the tax cuts.

 

Zichella leading money race in bid for District 101 seat

The special primary election for the District 101 seat in the state House is less than a week away, but if money talks, then Eric Zichella has to be considered the front-runner for the seat.

 

Our view: When disaster strikes

Southern California this week looked like Armageddon.

Massive wildfires spread by Santa Ana winds forced almost 1 million people to grab what they could and flee for the lives as flames closed in on their homes.

 

Democrats urge Bush to OK water projects

WASHINGTON (AP) – Democratic leaders in Congress on Friday sent President Bush a veto-proof bill to authorize spending $23 billion in water projects, having waited more than a month to request his signature on a measure he has threatened to veto.

 

Another way the rich are different: ‘concierge-level’ fire protection

When Southland clients’ multimillion-dollar homes were threatened, insurer AIG dispatched crews with fire retardant.

 

Insurance Industry Budgeted for Wildfire Losses

As the wildfires that ravaged Southern California for five days lost momentum yesterday, representatives of the insurance industry said the estimated $1 billion in fire damage would have little if any impact on homeowners’ rates in California or the rest of the nation.

 

FEMA workers masquerade as reporters

WASHINGTON (AP) – One way to get decent coverage in this rough-and-tumble city is to arrange to have your own employees interrogate you at your news conference.

 

WellCare Stock Plunges In Wake Of Raid

TAMPA – Shares in WellCare Health Plans were hammered on Wall Street on Thursday, falling more than 60 percent in response to a massive raid Wednesday at its headquarters by federal and state agents.

 

N.Y. Proposal Prompts States to Rethink Regulation of Reinsurers

As the reinsurance industry increasingly moves offshore, U.S. insurance regulators are rethinking current rules that require only non-U.S. reinsurers to post collateral equal to the full amount of their liabilities to U.S. insurers.

 

Reject R-67; keep rates affordable

Since joining Safeco 22 months ago, my aspiration has been to make our company indispensable to the agents who represent us and to the consumers who insure their autos, homes and businesses with us. 

 

Hispanics urged to join group

Home Builders Association can open doors for Latin businesses, council says

Many Hispanics work at construction sites throughout Orlando, but few Latinos are advocating for their industry.

 

Law puts Blue Cross on offensive

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts’ lucrative business of selling health insurance to municipalities and unions is under attack since a law was enacted in June allowing cities and towns to join the health insurance plan for state employees.

 

Craddick says trial lawyers spurred House rebellion against him

Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick says rebel lawmakers who tried to oust him this year are backed by trial lawyers who want to repeal the lawsuit limitations he pushed through in 2003. 

 

China’s top insurers to invest in railways -sources

SHANGHAI, Oct 26 (Reuters) – China’s three biggest insurers are expected to invest more than 10 billion yuan ($1.34 billion) each in a new state-controlled company that will build the country’s high-speed railway from Beijing to Shanghai, sources familiar with the investments said on Friday.

 

Crist Visits Famous Watering Hole in Tallahassee

Reinforcing his image as the governor of all people earlier this week, Gov. Charlie Crist dropped by Big Daddy’s, a famous Florida State University hangout renowned for its free beer and comely clientele.