Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, September 24
Sep 24, 2010
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Citizens rates will rise again in Florida
Regulators approve 9 percent and 10 percent average statewide rate hikes, some policyholders could see premiums drop
Most Citizens Property Insurance customers’ rates will increase by an average 10 percent next year.
Citizens Suspends Commercial Inspection Program – An Update
On September 10, Citizens Property Insurance Corp. sent a letter via its Agency Direct E-Mail system notifying recipients that it was suspending its commercial lines inspection program.
Citizens: Homeowners to replace roofs or risk policy
A house on Coldwell Drive in Holiday has been Elaine Geyer’s home for 15 years.
Federal judge in Florida sends Chartis’ Chinese drywall suit to New Orleans
A federal judge in a Florida court has ordered a lawsuit brought by Chartis Inc. and subsidiary Lexington Insurance Co. concerning Chinese drywall coverage be transferred to New Orleans, where multidistrict litigation is pending.
Florida public adjuster responds to ‘Wall Street Journal’ sinkhole claim criticism
A recent article about the rise in Florida sinkhole claims in the ‘Wall Street Journal’ falls short of fully explaining the issue, according to Florida-based public adjuster Tutwiler and Associates.
Insurance Commissioner McCarty talks health care with President Obama
On the eve of some of the most sweeping health insurance reforms becoming effective, President Barack Obama and members of his administration met with insurance regulators from across the nation including Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty.
Federal lawsuit challenges Florida ‘pill mill’ law
A new Florida law cracking down on ‘pill mills’ that dispense powerful prescription painkillers is being challenged in federal court.
Insurers vent over spending rules
Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty used a hearing today to bolster his arguments that Florida insurers should get leeway in meeting a key requirement of the federal health-reform law.
Blog: Klein and Ros-Lehtinen cross aisle on Medicare fraud crackdown
The House has cleared legislation to crack down on Medicare fraud with “major provisions” authored by Reps. Ron Klein and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
GOP claims Alex Sink gave bonuses to state pension managers who lost billions
Millions of Americans had that stomach-churning feeling when headlines announced another bad day on Wall Street as stock and bond markets plunged in value.
Judge denies class action status for unhappy Crist donors
Republicans upset that Gov. Charlie Crist abandoned the GOP to become an independent were thwarted Thursday in a legal maneuver to force Crist’s U.S. Senate campaign to refund about $7.5 million in contributions.
Depending on how the law is read and interpreted, the successor to interim U.S. Sen. George LeMieux could take office as early as election night on Nov. 2.
Blog: U.S. Representative Boyd votes with GOP against small business bill
Panhandle Congressman Allen Boyd was the lone Florida Democrat and one of only 13 overall to vote against the small business bill that passed the House today, a sign of his tough re-election effort.
State Representative Reagan hit by Tallahassee firestorm
Initial plans for the First District Court of Appeals’ new courthouse in Tallahassee called for a 60-inch flat screen TV for each judge, mahogany-paneled chambers and private kitchens with granite countertops.
Florida Attorney General McCollum cracking down on Florida timeshare fraud
Florida is investigating 49 companies and has filed nine lawsuits in a crackdown on timeshare resale fraud.
Blog: A diverse PSC will regulate utility rates
When Eduardo Balbis, a Cuban American and West Palm Beach city leader, starts at the Public Service Commission in January, it will be the sixth time the utility regulation board’s makeup has been majority minority.
With gay adoption upheld by court, state won’t ask about sexual orientation
After an appeals court struck down Florida’s controversial gay-adoption law, child welfare administrators quickly issued new instructions Thursday to foster-care workers throughout the state: When it comes to sexual orientation, from now on, don’t ask.
Judge won’t halt Ambler suit against fellow Republican Norman
State Rep. Kevin Ambler’s lawsuit against Senate candidate Jim Norman survived another day in Tallahassee.
Everglades restoration efforts said to be better
A multibillion-dollar effort to restore the Everglades has produced slow progress that is improving but likely to be spread unevenly across the vital wetlands, a congressionally mandated report said Thursday.
Fort Lauderdale man’s home mistakenly foreclosed on
When Jason Grodensky bought his modest Fort Lauderdale home in December, he paid cash. But seven months later, he was surprised to learn that Bank of America had foreclosed on the house, even though Grodensky did not have a mortgage.
Republicans aim for Democratic stronghold in District 36
Republicans have set their sights on state Rep. Scott Randolph, hoping to kick him out of office and win control of one of Central Florida’s few solidly Democratic House districts.
Congressional Black Caucus to help Rep. Ron Klein fend off black Republican Allen West
Rep. Ron Klein is set to get an assist from African American colleagues in the small set of black-majority enclaves in his south Florida district as he tries to fend off a highly competitive second challenge from Republican Allen West, who is black.
Government Accountability Office Sees Need for Multiple National Flood Insurance Program Reforms
Government Accountability Officials cautioned members of the Senate Banking Committee Wednesday that major changes in National Flood Insurance Program’s policies and administration are needed, and could involve tough decisions that Congress may be unwilling to make.
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, businesses clash on derivatives rules
The chief of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission clashed Tuesday with corporate executives worried the agency will draft rules based on the Dodd-Frank Act that would force many companies to hold significantly more collateral in hedging accounts.
Texas Lawmaker Revives Disputed Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Information Request
A Texas state representative has issued a second request for information from the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association regarding a $189 million settlement in a class action lawsuit stemming from Hurricane Ike that was previously denied by a Galveston County district court.
Family suspects defective drywall caused death
They moved to James City County from Connecticut one day four years ago in a vehicle caravan, Jeff and Susann Tierney followed by the couple’s elderly parents.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers draft of medical loss ratio rule
State insurance commissioners charged with shaping a key rule for health care reform say the federal government should consider phasing in the requirement to avoid a potential exodus of insurers from the market.
Micro-Insurance Faces Growth Challenges
Despite close to five years of experience in the field and more than four million participants, the growth of micro-insurance programs face some key hurdles for expansion and providing the world’s poor with the security of insurance, according to an Allianz executive.
Guy Carpenter Names White As Chief Actuary
Steve White was named chief actuary of reinsurance broker Guy Carpenter & Company, LLC.
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