Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Moncay, Jan. 21
Jan 21, 2008
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Court of appeal lifts Allstate’s suspension; state has 10 days to justify freeze
Allstate has turned the tables on Florida regulators, forcing the state to prove why failure to produce confidential records warrants a statewide policy freeze.
Editorial: Our position: Cracking down on Allstate should be only first step in insurance fight
The dance that property insurers have been doing on the backs of their policyholders finally may be coming to an end. Good.
Editorial: It’s time for Florida to be a heavyweight on insurance
After Florida regulators stood up, at least briefly, to the giant Allstate Insurance Co. last week, I was leaning toward this headline for this column: After all, Tallahassee’s been pretending to have a backbone in dealing with the powerful insurance industry since Hurricane Andrew bulldozed across south Miami in 1992 and introduced us to the modern era of mega-hurricane destruction and hyper-escalating insurance rates.
Florida Confronts Costs of Wind Insurance
When Gov. Charlie Crist (R) took office a year ago, he quickly turned his attention to Florida’s deepening hurricane insurance crisis.
$1.1 billion pulled from Florida investment pool in one day
Local governments in Florida pulled $1.1 billion from a state investment pool Friday, the most since it was opened Dec. 6 following a one-week suspension, after officials made more money available for withdrawal.
Florida Confronts Costs of Insurance
Despite Legislative Action, Substantial Rate Reductions Have Not Materialized
When Gov. Charlie Crist (R) took office a year ago, he quickly turned his attention to Florida’s deepening hurricane insurance crisis.
Miami-Dade slots vote could spread gambling beyond S. Florida
When Miami-Dade County voters decide Jan. 29 whether to join Broward voters in allowing Las Vegas-style slot machines into their three ailing pari-mutuels, they may be the last Floridians to have that choice.
Two Democratic candidates emerge
A former Cocoa Beach commissioner and a political newcomer will face off Jan. 29 to be the Democratic candidate in the race to fill the remainder of state Rep. Bob Allen’s term.
First-timers want to fill House seat
Four local Republicans, all first-time candidates, are competing for a shot to finish state Rep. Bob Allen’s fourth term in the Florida House.
Editorial: Statehouse seat draws big bucks
In District 80, Stan Mayfield’s wife picks up fund-raising clout where her husband left off
Bad economy? Not for some politicians.
N.Y. Follows DiNallo Lead On Financial Regulation Revamp
A group working to modernize New York’s financial regulatory system will be following a proposal for changes first put forward by New York’s insurance superintendent, officials said.
Poll shows only 45 percent support for tax amendment
Just 45 percent of likely Florida voters support a tax-relief proposal being pushed by Gov. Charlie Crist, a poll out Sunday found.
strong>Amendment 1 entices business owners
Amendment 1’s headlining acts play directly to resident homeowners, but the proposal before Florida voters also offers benefits for business, snowbirds and commercial property owners.
Fire board seeks ambulance-fee collectors
A Fort Lauderdale service will get a chance to negotiate a contract to collect ambulance fees for the Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District.
Supporters, critics disagree on key measure
Supporters say it’s the magic ingredient that will put the fizz back in Florida’s stagnant real estate market — and, ultimately, the state’s economy.
Energy-efficiency expenses could win tax exemptions
Homeowners would get a small property-tax break for energy efficiency and hurricane-protection improvements if voters adopt a proposed state constitutional amendment approved Friday for the November ballot.
Familiar names fill Orlando ballots
Orlando voters will see some familiar names on the ballot for Jan. 29.
Major presidential candidates’ positions on Florida issues
A look at where the major presidential candidates stand on issues important to Florida voters:
Money, conveying message play big parts in Fla.
The Republican presidential race arrived Sunday in the vast and growing state of Florida, where money and message are going to be among the challenges facing four of the leading candidates.
Court Papers Say Langston Offered Bribe; Enters Plea
An attorney conspired with powerful trial lawyer Richard “Dickie” Scruggs to seek a favorable ruling from a Mississippi judge by offering to help the state judge get a federal judgeship, according to court papers unsealed Monday in an expanding judicial bribery case.
EDITORIAL: ‘Expert’ witness is heart of med-mel problem
Re: ”My view: Future of med-mal caps in doubt,” by Hector Lombana, Jan. 14.
Mr. Lombana would love to go back to the halcyon days when attorneys made big bucks by milking the medical malpractice cow for all it was worth.
Two consumer advocacy groups in Washington are criticizing billion-dollar cash reserves held by the state’s big three health insurance carriers and seeking big changes to the industry, including government-sponsored plans.
Are FINRA’s Regulations a Necessary Evil?
FINRA’s Notice to Members (NtM) 05-50 states that fixed indexed annuities or FIAs should be treated as securities by broker/dealers (B/Ds) even though they are insurance products.
Unsafe trucks stream out of ports
Miguel had more reason than usual to be anxious as he drove his aging big rig out of the Port of Los Angeles’ bustling China Shipping Terminal.