Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: March 14-15

Above:  Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach Gardens (left) and Sen. Steven Geller, D-Hallendale Beach, co-chairs of the insurance regulation committee. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)

 

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Citizens And Hurricane Fund Problems Detailed

A committee of the Florida Legislature today heard testimony that a major weather event could mean severe difficulties for the state’s Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which support’s the state insurance pool insuring homeowners.

 

Citizens insurance officials questioned while under oath

Officials with Citizens insurance the state-backed insurer of last resort for property owners unable to find other coverage faced hours of grilling Friday from House Insurance committee members and its chairman, Rep. Don Brown, R-De Funiak Springs

 

Lawmakers discuss raising Citizens’ rates

Customers of the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. have received a breather during the past year.

 

Fla. Makes It Easier To Opt Out Of Citizens

Policyholders placed by their insurance agents with Citizens, Florida’s state-run insurer of last resort, can’t be left in the dark if there is a private insurer willing to give them homeowners coverage, under a new regulatory order.

 

Panel urges tough legislation on property insurers

A special Senate panel that grilled insurers last month about how rates are set proposed sweeping property insurance changes on Thursday.

 

Threat charges enter District 55 campaign

It has officially gotten ugly in the race to fill the vacant Florida House District 55 seat.

 

FEMA storm grants logjam finally clears

A federal program that local managers complained has been mired in bureaucracy has now approved nearly $29 million for and the Treasure Coast.

 

Lake Worth man accused of faking auto acccident for profit

A local man has been arrested on insurance fraud charges, stemming from a staged auto accident, according to Florida’s Chief Financial Officer.

 

Lawmakers propose bills to make roads safer

You’ve seen them, the drivers who crawl in the left lane while talking on cell phones. They run red lights, and they aren’t even wearing a seat belt.

 

Local traffic cameras: ‘An issue of safety’

A fatal auto accident on State Road 70 this week highlighted the problem of drivers running red lights in Manatee County.

Governor Crist Appoints Six To The Floirda Governor’s Action Team On Energy And Climate Change

Governor Charlie Crist announced the following appointments to the Florida Governor’s Action Team on Energy and Climate Change

 

Quince to be Florida’s first African-American female chief justice

At a heady time when an African American and a woman are serious contenders for the White House, Florida is marking its own milestone. 

 

Prominent Trial Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Bribery

Richard F. Scruggs, the Mississippi lawyer who built a fortune off asbestos litigation and went on to wring billions from cigarette makers, on Friday ducked what might have been the toughest legal battle of his storied career.

 

U.S. Representative Melissa Bean (D-Ill.):  Insurance bill gives choice, protection to consumers 
 
America’s economic preeminence in the world hinges upon its global leadership in the financial services industry.

 

As Katrina victims wait, aid-dispersal firm gets rich

Two and a half years after Hurricane Katrina, tens of thousands of miserable homeowners are still waiting for their government rebuilding checks, and many complain their calls are not even returned.  

 

Lack of Insurance Hits Us All

Maria Gomez knows firsthand the devastation that can hit families who don’t have health insurance. Gomez is chief executive of Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care in the District.

 

Michigan Gov. Granholm Signs Captive Law

Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm signed captive legislation into law yesterday, adding the state to the list of about 30 U.S. captive domiciles.

 

Matt Gracey, Delray insurance executive

A funeral service will be held today for Matt Gracey, a longtime Delray Beach resident and insurance executive who died March 9. He was 93.

 

Installation of hurricane shutters doesn’t qualify for income tax deduction

Q. Can you please tell me if the installation of hurricane shutters qualifies for a tax deduction?

 

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