Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, September 12
Sep 12, 2008
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Note: The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America has created a new, weekly feature entitled “Decision 2008,” which is designed to provide news and information about key political races that could affect the insurance industry. For your convenience, Capitol to Courthouse News will reprint the entire “Decision 2008” newsletter below.
State Farm is in no rush to send out rebates
State Farm customers hoping for a quick check on those new state-ordered refunds, sit tight.
It looks like the refunds will not be going out for at least three months, and current customers may get a policy credit, not a payment.
Recent wave of hurricanes deplete Red Cross relief fund
Gail McGovern, who became the embattled charity’s president in June, said even a request for federal funding is under consideration as the Red Cross seeks to become less dependent on spontaneous donations that arrive only in the wake of huge disasters.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: It’s time to build homes the right way
We all forget that Florida is a swamp. That’s right, a swamp. Call it what you want, but Florida will always be a swamp. When it rains in a swamp, it usually rains a lot. Add a tropical storm or a hurricane, and the rainwater will flood that swamp. That’s what makes a swamp a swamp.
State’s recapture rule baffles Fla. taxpayers
Thousands of Florida homeowners are confused over the state’s property tax rules, which has some assessed values going up even while market values are dropping.
Discharges from Lake O may not end Saturday
The Army Corps of Engineers said Wednesday another round of pulse releases from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers will probably begin Monday.
Seminole gaming pact now in Legislature’s hands
The Florida Supreme Court refused to allow new arguments over its rejection of the deal that allowed the Seminole Tribe to offer table games and Vegas-style slots.
The Florida Supreme Court voted 6-1 late Thursday to deny a request by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe for another shot at arguing the case that threw out the state’s multimillion-dollar gambling compact over slot machines.
Attorney General Announces New Civil Rights Director
Former condominium ombudsman will lead Office of Civil Rights
Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that he has brought on a new Director for his Office of Civil Rights. Danille Carroll, formerly Florida’s Condominium Ombudsman, will take over the Office of Civil Rights and will begin focusing on housing law and any forms of housing discrimination.
DCF’s Interim Chief To Be Permanent
Gov. Charlie Crist said George Sheldon, interim secretary at the Department of Children and Families, is in line to take the job permanently.
Budget cuts leave thousands without health care
Thousands of low-income residents will no longer be covered by Polk County’s indigent health-care plan after it offered more benefits than it could afford and piled up a $15 million deficit.
Missing ballots believed found
Palm Beach County officials think they may have solved the mystery of the missing ballots.
Florida gets tough on new voter registrations
Having their vote count on Election Day just got a little tougher for newly registered voters in Florida.
Representative Ellyn Bogdanoff Endorsed by Florida Chamber of Commerce
The campaign of Ellyn Bogdanoff, candidate for reelection to the State House in District 91, announced the endorsement of the Florida Chamber of Commerce CCE, the state’s largest business advocate representing more than 139,000 employers. The endorsement reflects Representative Bogdanoff’s pro-jobs position and continued support of issues that encourage and drive economic growth.
GOP has stronger rivals this year
Unlike years past in this strongly Republican county, the dominant party will have to work harder to keep its hold on local elected offices.
Fla. Gov. Crist will marry, party in December
A few months before they were engaged, Gov. Charlie Crist introduced Carole Rome to Tallahassee’s power elite at a Governor’s Mansion reception on opening night of the legislative session.
Power companies across Florida are raising electricity rates and developers in Southwest Florida are taking notice, with nearly 100 people packing a sold-out Venice workshop on building energy-efficient communities.
Florida sketches 3 possibilities for U.S. Sugar deal
Three Everglades restoration plans offering water managers options are light on details, but may be good for bargaining with sugar growers.
Water managers on Thursday unveiled the first sketchy plans for using sugar fields to restore the Everglades.
Economist says Orlando faces ‘long, slow’ recovery
One of Florida’s leading private economists says the state is slogging through its worst downturn since the 1970s — but that the Orlando area appears to be the healthiest region and, once a recovery is under way, should rebound more strongly than any of the state’s other major metro areas.
Engineers hope pit at sea will save Broward’s beaches
Broward’s beaches are critically eroded. Can a 49-foot-deep pit in the Atlantic Ocean save them?
A 49-foot pit would be blasted into the ocean floor next to Port Everglades as a key part of a $20 million plan to save southern Broward County’s eroding beaches.
Offshore drilling bill spares Florida
Democrats backed away from their stance against offshore oil drilling, but agreed to abide by a 2006 deal that keeps Florida waters rig-free.
Florida’s coastline will remain off limits even as House Democrats on Thursday dropped their long-held opposition to offshore oil drilling by supporting legislation that could put rigs as close as 50 miles from shore.
RMS Estimates Ike Insured Losses up to $200 Million – So Far
Risk Management Solutions estimates that the damage wreaked by Hurricane Ike in the popular Turks & Caicos Islands and Bahamas at between $50 million and $200 million. RMS said the majority of the losses were due to “wind and storm surge damage, as well as loss amplification, where pressure on the supply of goods and services drives up prices.”
TEXAS: Category 3 storm could drain windstorm insurer
Hurricane Ike will pose a major test for the state’s windstorm insurer of last resort.
Already slammed this year by Hurricane Dolly and Edouard, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association has $2.1 billion in funding left.
Check your coverage regarding evacuations
Typically, your home has to have damage that keeps you from living in it, said Ben Gonzalez, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Insurance.
Survey finds holes in US disaster preparedness
In a disaster such as an earthquake or terrorist attack, nearly two-thirds of U.S. parents would disregard orders to evacuate and would rush to pick up their kids from school, according to a new survey.
Experts Meet in South Carolina, Discuss Making Homes Hurricane Ready
Getting people back in their homes quickly is vital to hurricane recovery, the head of a national program to build more storm-resistant homes said at a conference in South Carolina.
NAIC Leadership Backs Revised OII Bill
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, in a move they acknowledged is not unanimous, said they will support significantly revised legislation creating a federal Office of Insurance Information.
Workers’ Compensation Rates Expected to Drop in North Carolina
Workers’ compensation insurance rates will be dropping in North Carolina next year, for the first time in five years.
Welcome to PCIAA’s “Decision 2008”
The 2008 election cycle is referred to as the “Year of Change.” While the word change can be heard from many politicians, it is the American people who ultimately will decide the type of change that will occur when they step into voting booths on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. As Americans, voting is our greatest right and privilege. We have a civic responsibility to elect the officials who represent our interests at all levels of government.
Now that the presidential nominating conventions are over and the political season is hitting its home stretch, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) encourages you to learn about the candidates, get involved, and most importantly – vote.
The national and local races will be tight and the outcomes will have a significant impact on our industry and the economy. This weekly e-newsletter, “Decision 2008”, will provide you with news and information about key races that will affect the insurance industry. You will also find resources such as on-line tools for voter registration and detailed information on your candidates, including how they voted on insurance and business-related issues.
We hope you find this information valuable as you make your voice heard on Election Day.
Sincerely,
David A. Sampson
CEO and President
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
Democratic and Republican Conventions Create Great Excitement
Race to November Picks up Steam
Senator Barack Obama’s acceptance speech and the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as Senator John McCain’s running mate were a powerful one, two punch that generated a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement during the presidential nominating conventions.
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) participated in the Democratic and Republican national conventions, meeting with business community allies, state and federal lawmakers, and other public policymakers. “The conventions provided a unique opportunity to build trust and relationships with members of Congress, current and future, potential members of the new presidential administration, and state and federal party leaders,” said David Sampson, CEO and president of PCI.
During the conventions we emphasized the importance of working together for sound public policy solutions. We shared our views with industries that intersect with insurance and discussed policy options for the challenges we face. We also urged members of Congress to take action and pass legislation reforming and strengthening the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) prior to its expiration date of September 30.” Read More
Quick Takes: Federal Races
PCI examines Congressional races in Florida, Louisiana and New Hampshire
Florida’s 16th Congressional District Race Remains a Toss-Up
Representative Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.) was a heavy underdog in this Republican-leaning district in 2006 before then-Rep. Mark Foley imploded in a Congressional page scandal. A last-minute GOP replacement, Joe Negron, lost to Mahoney by less than two percent. State law prohibited Foley’s name to be taken off the ballot, forcing Negron to ask supporters to vote for Foley’s slot on the ticket. Read More
Quick Takes: State Races
PCI examines state house races in California, Oregon and Washington
California Democrats Look to Expand Power in the State House
With the governor, insurance commissioner and other statewide offices not on the November ballot, the focus of state political activity is on legislative races this year. Democrats control the state Senate with a ten seat (25 – 15) majority and have a commanding 16 seat (48 – 32) majority in the Assembly. This dominance in the state house is expected to continue as Republicans are threatened with losing some seats they currently hold. Read More
News Around the Country
Clinton sidesteps debate over Palin T1 INTERNATIONAL USA
(The Birmingham Post via NewsEdge): Hillary Clinton side-stepped questions about the woman who has taken her place as America’s most-talked-about female leader. Read More
Obama plans extended meeting with Bill Clinton
(Associated Press WorldStream via NewsEdge): WASHINGTON Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama plans to lunch with former President Bill Clinton this week in what will be their first extended face-to-face meeting since the bitter primary season. Read More
Crist’s task: Help McCain win Florida
(Miami Herald, The (KRT) via NewsEdge):Sep. 8–As hurricanes threatened Florida last week, Gov. Charlie Crist’s political advisors pleaded with him to fly to Minnesota and give his prime-time speech introducing John McCain to the Republican National Convention. Read More
Today on the presidential campaign trail
(AP Online via NewsEdge): IN THE HEADLINES–ABC News’ Gibson lands first interview with Palin since she was named McCain’s running mate … Biden says he looks forward to Oct. 2 vice presidential debate against Palin in St. Louis … Poll: McCain gets big post-convention bounce over Obama in national survey. Read More
Election 2008 Tool Box
Make sure your voice is heard in 2008. Register to vote, learn how to vote early and find information on candidates seeking office across the country.
Do you need to look up the elected officials that currently represent you? Click here to access a list of your federal and state legislators, including full biographies and contact information.
Election Day 2008 features the Presidential Election, 33 U.S. Senate Elections, and 435 U.S. Congressional Elections. There are also 11 state gubernatorial elections. This year’s state legislative elections will bring inevitable change with nearly 80 percent of all legislative seats scheduled for elections. Finally, there are insurance commissioner races in Delaware, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Washington State. Click here to access state and federal candidate information.
Don’t miss the crucial 2008 election! With the exception of North Dakota, every state requires eligible voters to register to vote before casting a ballot. In terms of methods and deadlines, registration procedures vary greatly from state to state. Click here for state specific information and forms you need to become a registered voter.
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