Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, Sept. 14

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New bipartisan policy

Congress may be fighting along party lines about every other issue, but it’s not when it comes to national disaster insurance.

 

Pay-go rules threaten terror-insurance program

Scrambling to get around their first significant hitch involving pay-go rules, Democrats say they are not considering a Republican proposal to partially pay for a reauthorization and expansion of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) that congressional scorekeepers say will cost more than $10 billion over 10 years.

 

U.S. Report: Private Insurers Overpayed by National Flood Program

The federal government may be overpaying private insurers for their operating costs associated with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a recent report said.

 

Florida National Guard gets more needed equipment

Inventory check, though, shows the Guard still below authorized number.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida National Guard has slightly improved its equipment inventory, months after a government report documented severe deficiencies. But the agency still lacks hundreds of trucks, trailers, wreckers and night-vision goggles and other needed equipment for disaster relief.

 

At last, a little relief on home insurance

A change in state law passes discounts on to condo owners.

After watching their maintenance fees soar out of sight, Florida’s nearly 1.5-million condominium residents are finally starting to see some relief, thanks to a change in state law that demands insurance companies list a specific range of discounts for making buildings – including condos – more hurricane resistant.

 

Budget session rises again

After a stalemate, Republicans now say they will convene a budget-cutting session after all.

TALLAHASSEE – One week after their planned budget-cutting session collapsed in a stalemate, legislative leaders now say they have made progress and will convene early next month.

 

California Earthquake Authority Bill Goes To Gov.

California lawmakers have approved and sent to the governor a measure that restructures and reduces backup catastrophe assessments on insurers participating in the California Earthquake Authority.

 

Instant hurricane: Humberto fastest-growing storm near land

HIGH ISLAND, Texas (AP) — Call it the instant hurricane. Humberto, which grew faster than any storm on record from tropical depression to full-scale hurricane landfall, surprised the Texas-Louisiana coast early Thursday with 85-mph winds and heavy rain that knocked out power to more than 100,000 and left at least one person dead.

 

HRH Acquiring Bank of America’s Commercial Insurance Agency

Insurance broker Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co. has agreed to purchase Banc of America Corporate Insurance Agency, L.L.C., a segment of Bank of America, N.A., and a middle market insurance intermediary in the northeastern United States.

 

San Francisco Takes Unique Approach to Providing Medical Care for All

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 5 — Diagnosed with polio at age 2, Yan Ling Ho has lived with pain for most of her 52 years. After immigrating here from Hong Kong last year, the soreness in her back and joints proved too debilitating for her to work.

 

The Great Presidential Mashup

What the Democrats have to say about health care, Iraq, insurance and more.

 

Amendment is a bad solution to a real problem

Hometown democracy or hometown chaos? Corrupt developer-controlled local officials versus anti-growth zealots?

The rhetoric and name-calling are escalating from both sides in the debate over a proposal to amend the Florida Constitution to require voter approval of every local comprehensive plan amendment. Unfortunately, the Draconian nature of the proposal and the extreme reaction from some opponents is obscuring a real problem.

 

Hundreds turn out to honor Davis

Naples Rep. Mike Davis, who died of cancer Wednesday, recognized as outstanding volunteer

A day after his death, hundreds gathered to celebrate his life. On Thursday night, the Economic Development Council of Collier County gave state Rep. Mike Davis its highest honor for volunteer members, naming him “Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.”

 

$6 million settlement in deadly mobile home fire

IMMOKALEE, Fla. — Five survivors of a mobile home fire and the families of five more who died in the blaze will share a $6 million insurance settlement.

 

Ask Gov. Crist: It may be right to shift rules for truck drivers

Q To calm aggressive trucks, why can’t Florida follow other states and set the speed limit for large trucks on Interstate highways 5 miles per hour below that for autos?

DiTerlizzi plans run for state House

The Martin County Commission will lose at least one incumbent next year after Michael DiTerlizzi’s announcement Thursday that he will run for the state House seat being vacated by Republican Gayle Harrell.

 

Have an impact

There is at least some validity in the complaint that special-interest groups have disproportionate power because they, unlike ordinary people, can afford to send lobbyists to Tallahassee.

 

Rehearing to be asked on multibillion-dollar bond court ruling

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Organizations representing cities, counties and school districts said Thursday they want the Florida Supreme Court to rehear a bond case they fear could jeopardize billions of dollars worth of construction projects across the state.

 

Lloyd’s Urges Discipline In Underwriting

MONTE CARLO—With a softening market cycle well underway and underwriting discipline being the mantra of ratings agencies, Lloyd’s is calling for the same in its markets, its chief executive said.

 

The Art of Moving Art

Taking proper care of a collection is painstaking, necessary–and best left to professionals.