Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, October 15
Oct 15, 2010
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Florida Approves 7.8% Workers’ Compensation Rate Increase
Florida workers’ compensation insurers have been given the green light to raise rates an average 7.8 percent starting Jan. 1, 2011.
Florida rethinks wind mitigation inspections
Paperwork, training likely to become more stringent
Changes are in the works to tighten up what critics in Southwest Florida and around the state say is a sloppy, fraud-ridden process by which homeowners get discounts on wind insurance.
Fort Lauderdale-based Moss gets contract for Chinese drywall remediation
Fort Lauderdale-based Moss & Associates has been chosen as lead contractor in a demonstration project to fix 300 homes affected by Chinese drywall.
Rick Scott Goes Back to Roots in Visit to State Farm in Winter Haven
Participating in a gathering of candidates at State Farm Insurance’s Florida headquarters in Winter Haven on Thursday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott underscored his long-standing relationship with the insurance giant.
Florida Updating Regional Evacuation Studies With Mapping Project Data
Having information readily available before a disaster or storm can be invaluable for first responders and emergency managers tasked with organizing the response.
Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation issued an Amended Notice and Order to Show Cause to American Medical and Life Insurance Co. alleging five counts of illegal activity.
- To view the Order, click here.
As part of the NAIC leadership team, Commissioner Kevin McCarty signed a letter addressed to Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius dated October 13, 2010.
- To view the letter, click here.
Florida panel: Pain doctors’ limit — 150 Rx/day
Doctors who work in Florida pain clinics should write no more than 150 prescriptions a day for potentially addictive and dangerous drugs, a state panel decided today.
State-created health insurance program finally getting off the ground
A program set up more than two years ago as a virtual health care marketplace to help businesses purchase affordable health insurance will ink a deal with a vendor on Friday to establish the web system needed to compare benefit plans.
Increasing Medicaid Rolls and Higher Costs a Challenge for Next Florida Governor
Shannon Baxley and Brian Alvear and their two children receive health care through Medicaid. One daughter is disabled. Brian works two jobs, and Shannon is a full-time mom trying to get additional education.
Central Florida Legislator Looks to Other States for Medicaid Solutions
If anyone has seen all sides of the Medicaid issue, it has to be Ed Homan.
Members of Pasco insurance fraud ring take pleas
Four people who were implicated this year in an insurance fraud scheme pleaded in court Thursday were sentenced to probation and ordered to repay thousands of dollars.
Judge tosses Jim Norman off November ballot in state Senate race
A judge has disqualified Jim Norman as a candidate for state Senate.
Judicial Qualifications Commission May Investigate Oppulent New ‘Taj Mahal’ Courthouse
Gov. Crist says having his staff look into matter wouldn’t be appropriate
Gov. Charlie Crist says he doesn’t think it would be appropriate for him to ask his own staff to investigate the 1st District Court of Appeal’s posh new courthouse.
State Legislator Claims Scott Backs Ban on Abortions
Rep. Charles Van Zant says in e-mail that GOP candidate pledged his support
A state legislator claims in a new message to supporters that Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott has pledged, if elected, to throw his support behind a bill that would make abortion illegal in Florida in nearly all instances, including rape and incest.
Florida Supreme Court Rules Against Parole Commission
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled prison inmates cannot be required to pay court filing fees when appealing Parole Commission decisions on presumptive release dates.
New data shows rising poverty numbers in Florida
The number of Floridians living at or below the poverty level across all demographic groups has continued to rise since 2007.
Blog: Another U.S. Senate debate on Oct. 26
Gov. Charlie Crist just confirmed that he will participate in the Oct. 26 Senate debate at WESH-Ch. 2.Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Kendrick Meek had agreed to take part earlier.
Legislature may change laws in wake of Crist GOP defection
Gov. Charlie Crist’s decision to bolt the GOP and run for the U.S. Senate as an independent candidate could spur changes to Florida’s election laws.
Confident GOP Cancels Rubio Funding to Focus Elsewhere
Senate Republicans are canceling $4 million in TV ads for Florida’s Marco Rubio to put more money toward winning Democratic-held seats in California, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
State probes Daytona State College finances
Answers sought over $1.4m loan
Daytona State College has come under additional scrutiny over money provided to the Community Cultural Foundation, with the state Department of Education pushing for prompt answers from college administrators.
Florida once sued would-be Gov. Rick Scott, accusing him of insider trading
Rick Scott wants to be governor of a state that once filed suit accusing him of insider trading.
Offspring of former mayors vie for Attorney General
This year’s attorney general race pits a telegenic career prosecutor from Tampa against a seasoned politician from South Florida.
Jeb Bush backers for potential presidential run aren’t worried about George W. Bush fatigue
Supporters of Jeb Bush say Bush fatigue will not be a significant problem if the former Florida governor decides to make a presidential run.
New York Panel Hears Homeowners Reform Proposals
New York insurance regulators proposed a series of tweaks to the state’s coastal homeowners insurance market this week, but it will probably be months before the state panel tasked with evaluating the proposals makes any decisions.
Mississippi Court: Palace Casino not liable for marina damage in Katrina
The Mississippi Court of Appeals has upheld the ruling that the Palace Casino isn’t liable for the damage to Bay Point High and Dry Marina during Hurricane Katrina.
Blog: Homeowners Insurance May Become Unaffordable Along the Gulf Coast!
Just when you thought the insurance crisis along the gulf coast, particularly in Louisiana, could not get any worse, along comes congress to really muck up the problems faced by property owners who are trying to protect the value of their property.
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