Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, August 17
Aug 17, 2009
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CFO Sink Activates DFS Storm Line for Victims of Tropical Storm Claudette
Florida CFO Alex Sink today announced that the state storm line has been activated to assist Floridians whose homes, businesses or vehicles were damaged by Tropical Storm Claudette as it passed through the Gulf and into the Florida Panhandle.
Editorial: Florida insurance numbers deceive
It was bad enough to learn earlier this summer that the overwhelming majority of $4.9 billion in new capital in Florida’s property insurance market a number trumpeted relentlessly by Gov. Charlie Crist had come from unregulated carriers.
COLUMN: Where the rate hikes are
When it comes to charging customers more, Florida’s property insurers and agents are like spring break men seeking spring break women: They just don’t give up, no matter how bad the chase makes them look.
Manatee homeowners with bad drywall may get reduced property tax bills
Manatee County homeowners with defective Chinese drywall might be getting an additional break on their property tax bills.
Editorial: Stop the South Florida Medicare scams
Some lucky ”patients” get flat-screen televisions as gifts from home care providers.
Medicaid gives Florida HMOs a pay raise
Even though Florida Medicaid already faces a deficit, HMOs are in line to get a 3 percent premium increase to treat the poor, elderly and disabled as of Sept. 1.
Florida’s No. 6 bank is closed
Alabama-based Colonial BankGroup, Florida’s sixth largest bank, was placed into receivership by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday, with its branches and deposits going to BB&T Corp.
FPL, Progress want rate increases
The state’s largest electric companies say it’s time to raise your rates.
Rep. Cretul passes on Congressional run
State Rep. Larry Cretul, the House speaker, will not run for Congress.
Sen. Mel Martinez’s exit will limit Florida’s political clout
U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez’s early retirement will leave the nation’s fourth-largest state with a temp in a chamber that rewards seniority with power.
Amid health debate, cash flows to Florida lawmakers
On a recent Wednesday morning, 1,000 insurance brokers spread out across Capitol Hill with a singular mission: kill a proposed government-run health care plan.
Former House speaker flashed GOP plastic
Months before he accepted a $110,000 job with Northwest Florida State College, Rep. Ray Sansom picked up the tab for college officials for a dinner that included Delmonico steak, crusted grouper and creme brulee.
Wall Street Journal: Recession Chills Sunshine State Tourism
Despite optimistic signs for the U.S. economy, the recession continues to cloud Florida’s hopes that a busy summer travel season will revive its struggling tourism industry.
Allstate announced today that it entered into a settlement of a nationwide class action lawsuit, Strasen v. Allstate, which has been pending in the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois for almost 10 years.
Louisiana Citizens: Lower Assessment Fee but No Rate Hike, Yet
The governing board of Louisiana’s state-backed property insurance firm on Aug. 13 approved a reduction in a fee imposed on policyholders, money that goes to pay off debt incurred because of Hurricane Katrina claims.
Sheffield Plans To Run For Ga. Commissioner
Maria Sheffield plans to throw her hat into the ring to be elected Georgia’s next insurance commissioner, looking to succeed her former boss, John Oxendine, who is running for governor next year, the National Underwriter has learned.
North Carolina Beach Plan Reforms Attract AAA Home Insurer
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin said today, just one week after the General Assembly passed reforms to the state’s coastal insurance plan, that the insurance company for AAA Carolinas will begin offering homeowners insurance throughout the state.
BestWeek: NAIC Prepares for Budget Shortfall
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ 2009 budget of $73.1 million will not achieve its revenue goals, and NAIC officials have begun to cut spending to blunt the impact of the shortfall, according to a story in BestWeek U.S./Canada.
U.S. Pay Czar Weighs ‘Claw Backs’ over Executive Compensation
Kenneth Feinberg, the Obama administration’s pay czar, said on Sunday he has broad and “binding” authority over executive compensation, including the ability to “claw back” money already paid, and he is weighing how and whether to use that power.
Congressional Session Busy for Committees Handling Insurance Issues
The business of Congress and the business of the insurance industry are as entangled as they’ve ever been. But the goals of Capitol Hill and of the industry are usually very different.
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