Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, October 30

Oct 30, 2009

 

 

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Florida Approves 5.4 percent Citizens Homeowners Rate Hike

Florida’s state-backed and largest property insurer will be allowed to raise its rates for homeowners an average 5.4 percent in 2010.

 

Judge approves plan to offer renewal coverage to American Keystone policyholders in Florida

Florida CFO Alex Sink announced today that the court has approved the transition plan filed by the Department of Financial Services to offer renewal policies to most homeowners currently insured with Ponte Vedra-based American Keystone Insurance Company, which was ordered into receivership for the purpose of liquidation earlier this month.

 

Florida-based Patriot Underwriters to Market SPARTA Workers’ Compensation in 5 States

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Patriot Underwriters, Inc. said it has signed an agreement with Advantage Specialty, Inc. to produce workers’ compensation insurance for SPARTA Insurance Holdings, Inc., based in Hartford, Conn.

 

Editorial:  Curing the Florida home mitigation plan

Florida’s effort to harden homes against hurricane loss is a smart policy, but, so far, it also has been a flawed one. It’s time to adopt sensible reforms.

 

Hundreds of loan modification complaints filed against Bank of America in Florida

Hundreds of struggling Florida homeowners have filed complaints with Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum in the past year about failed or stalled home mortgage loan modifications with Bank of America.

 

Florida faces another budget year awash in red ink

“Difficult decisions” will confront lawmakers in the spring

Florida lawmakers came to the state Capitol this week with unemployment still in double digits and a bleak reality setting in: The state budget is in shambles. 

 

Seminole gambling deal could be dead

For months, the Seminole gambling deal has been in trouble. Now it might be dead.

 

GOP prosecutor Pam Bondi close to Florida attorney general decision

Republican Hillsborough Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi of Tampa said she’s close to making a decision about running for attorney general and that Holly Benson’s entry into the GOP primary “has absolutely no influence on my decision.”

 

Butterworth to advise FPL

The Fix-it Man is back, but this time former Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth is working for Florida Power & Light Co.

 

Lawmakers question proper role of agencies

The Obama administration on Thursday ran into skepticism from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, as well as a key regulator, as it pushed for broad new powers to monitor risks throughout the financial system and to wind down large, troubled financial firms whose failure could endanger the economy.

 

Michigan Senate Votes Down Bill Banning Use of Geography as Insurance Rating Factor

The Michigan Senate made the right decision today to vote down a bill that would have banned auto insurers’ use of geography as a factor in risk assessment and likely would have resulted in heavy cost consequences for consumers, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

 

Louisiana Beefing Up Bait Car Program To Fight Auto Theft 

Authorities in Louisiana have teamed up with insurance interests for a major bait car program to combat vehicle theft in the state, it was announced yesterday.

 

National Flood Insurance Program Extended Until Dec. 18

Congress has again temporarily extended the federal flood insurance program, this time until Dec. 18, 2009.

 

Chinese drywall report delayed

Homeowners who have been living with what they suspect are problems related to Chinese drywall may have to wait months before they know whether their suspicions are true.

 

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