Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, August 31
Aug 31, 2009
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Gov. Crist, aide LeMieux cleared in insurance corruption probe
Gov. Charlie Crist and former chief of staff George LeMieux — the subjects of a federal public corruption investigation — have been cleared of allegations that they tried to thwart a state criminal probe into a Fort Lauderdale insurance company, according to sources familiar with the ongoing case
New law will force first-time red-light runners to go to driving school
As Florida’s children return to school this fall, so will drivers caught speeding by school buses and committing other dangerous infractions.
ProtectingAmerica.org: Safety net needs funding
America has come a long way in improving our preparedness and response system since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast four years ago, but the job is not done and the American economy needs more protection.
Letter to the Editor: Port Saint Lucie code enforcement going after well-meaning residents
As a resident of the city of Port St. Lucie for the last 25 years, the things I am seeing are breaking my heart.
Letter to the Editor: Don’t cut discounts for windstorm mitigation
Hands off on windstorm discounts!
In the past five years, thousands of Floridians, including hundreds in Palmetto Bay, have spent a lot of money to protect their homes against hurricane damage.
Judge must explain Countrywide trial decision
OMAHA, Neb. – A judge must explain to the Nebraska Supreme Court why he ordered a new trial in a multimillion dollar insurance dispute involving Florida and Omaha-based Countrywide Insurance Agency.
Jan Smith steps down from Brown & Brown board
Jan Smith has notified Brown & Brown Inc. that he would resign from the companys board of directors.
North Fort Myers insurance agency owner faces charges in alleged scam
The owner of Trans Terra Insurance Agency in North Fort Myers has been charged with theft and acting as an unlicensed agent.
State Fire Marshal Sink announces arson arrest for Hialeah kitchen fire
Fire Initially Defined as Accidental; New Leads Determine Arson
Florida CFO and State Fire Marshal Alex Sink today announced the arrest of a Hialeah woman who has been charged with arson and insurance fraud for intentionally setting fire to her kitchen and submitting fraudulent insurance claim.
Seminole Tribe agrees to gambling compact
The Seminole Tribe of Florida voted to approve a gambling compact with the governor Friday at a closed-door meeting of its tribal council in Hollywood, according to people close to the negotiations.
Florida fourth among the states in 2009 bank failures
The number of U.S. bank failures in 2009 is quickly careening toward triple digits, the most since 1992.
Stealthy groups turn Florida Senate special election into shadowy slugfest
Sept. 15 GOP primary could swing the chamber in a more conservative direction
The meeting was at the River Club on the 35th floor of a downtown high-rise, about a week after the July 26 death of longtime state Sen. Jim King of Jacksonville opened a new front in Florida’s decade-long political struggle over lawsuit reform.
Does Jeb still have influence?
It has been a decade since former Gov. Jeb Bush joined forces with then-House Speaker John Thrasher to reduce taxes, legalize school vouchers and generally make life miserable for Florida’s mostly liberal trial lawyers.
Ray Sansom criminal case raises intriguing issue of separation of powers
One of the big stories this fall in Florida, if it goes off as scheduled on Sept. 29, will be the criminal trial of Ray Sansom, former speaker of our state House.
Florida’s ballot initiative to ban gerrymandering starts to draw foes
Forget that the governor’s office, a U.S. Senate seat and every other statewide office are open this election cycle.
Judges want to force lender-borrower mediation in Florida foreclosure cases
On a typical Tuesday, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Susan Gardner sees 40 to 50 mortgage foreclosure cases move across her desk in Dade City.
Fees for Florida registration, license rise Tuesday
Today is the last day to renew driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations before fees dramatically increase.
Editorial: How to fix pension mess
Governments should move away from unsustainable pensions to 401(k) plans
New York Times: After Century of Growth, Tide Turns in Florida
The smiling couple barreling ahead on the cover of Liberty magazine in 1926 knew exactly where to go
District of Columbia Department of Insurance Sees a Change in Its Leadership
The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) has announced that Thomas E. Hampton has ended his tenure as commissioner of the agency.
Travelers Offers New Collateral Product
Travelers National Accounts introduced a Money Market Collateral Account solution.
Texas Insurance regulators call windstorm group unfair
State insurance regulators have accused the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association of deceptive and unfair practices in an enforcement complaint that seeks penalties.
Rules rein in Medicare Advantage marketing
Regulators clamped down last fall on shady sales practices for privately run Medicare health insurance for the elderly.
A.M. Best Special Report: Reinsurers Stay Afloat In Sinking Economy
Two years into the global financial crisis, global reinsurers’ performance to date could be counted as an achievement, given the state of the financial services industry and the economy.
Climate trouble may be bubbling up in far north
MACKENZIE RIVER DELTA, Northwest Territories — Only a squawk from a sandhill crane broke the Arctic silence – and a low gurgle of bubbles, a watery whisper of trouble repeated in countless spots around the polar world.
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