Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, December 13
Dec 13, 2010
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Orange Juice Jumps to Highest After Florida Declares State of Emergency In Advance of Severe Cold
Orange-juice futures jumped to the highest since May 2007 after Florida, the world’s second-biggest citrus grower, declared a state of emergency amid severe cold and the prospects of crop damage.
Sinkhole changes leave insurers feeling sunk
The hurricanes that rolled through Florida five years ago left in their wake a pile of fallen houses and a chorus of angry homeowners.
To avoid sinkholes, Southwest Florida Water Management District wants new rules for farmers
Edgar Mansila looks next door and prays.
In a Dec. 10 media release, Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum announced that his office has sued Colorado-based Assurity Financial Services for potentially deceptive practices related to refunds for insurance premiums, escrow accounts, and other funding sources.
Editorial: Our Views — No gouging allowed
Shield Florida homeowners from unjustified property insurance hikes
Florida’s GOP-dominated Legislature runs on the slogan of no new taxes.
Industry Veteran Reflects on Tenure as Leader of Florida Agents’ Trade Group
J. Scott Johnson, an author and 40-year insurance-industry veteran, is retiring as executive vice president of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, a trade organization representing more than 1,800 agencies,
Bob Hartwig: Insurance premiums should match the risk
Columnist Mike Thomas proves once again that he understands the depth of dysfunction within Florida’s current insurance market.
Florida Association of Public Insurance Agents: Public adjusters unfairly blamed
There has been a lot of talk of late about sinkholes and their impact on Florida’s property insurance industry. No question, sinkhole claims have risen in recent years, and this has an impact on property insurers who must pay for the damage sinkholes cause.
New York Times: Virginia decision on health care reform could marginalize Florida lawsuit
A Virginia judge today ruled that the federal health care reform’s mandate that Americans acquire health insurance is unconstitutional, conflicting with rulings in two other lawsuits challenging the law, according to The New York Times.
Some pain clinics find loophole in restrictive new state law
While a new state law is hitting some pain clinics hard, authorities worry a loophole in the legislation will be a boon for other seedy pharmacies.
Sunshine State News: Medicaid Hemorrhage Challenges Florida Lawmakers
As costs soar, legislators choose Band-Aids instead of an amputation
One of the biggest loss leaders in Florida’s deteriorating budget is Medicaid, but, as of now, lawmakers are reluctant to pursue reforms that could save the state billions of dollars.
Will Scott privatize Florida hospitals?
Macclenny residents worry about their largest employer
Despite fears that Gov.-elect Rick Scott might propose privatizing some state functions, several lawmakers said they haven’t heard what will happen to the state-run Northeast Florida State Hospital in Macclenny.
Court rules against donors seeking Crist refund
A state appeals court has ruled against Republican donors who were trying to get party-switching Gov. Charlie Crist to return their campaign donations.
Outsider comes inside: Scott makes debut at Republican Party of Florida convention
Republicans wore red, white and blue wrist bands emblazoned “2012 starts today” at their first post-election state convention Saturday.
Scott may shrink tax money for public employees’ pensions
Public employees would pay for their retirement plans
One of the big questions surrounding Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s plan to cut billions of dollars in taxes is this: Where would he make up the difference?
Goal is to find savings without seeming soft on crime
One of Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s biggest campaign promises can be illustrated with a half-cup of bread pudding.
Rick Scott hires New York headhunters to fill state jobs
Gov.-elect Rick Scott is so committed to finding outsiders to staff his administration, he’s reaching into his own pocket for more than $125,000 to pay the salaries and expenses of a New York head-hunting firm to recruit talent, according to an agreement obtained by the St. Petersburg Times and the Miami Herald.
State Senator Norman bill boosts taxi, limo companies and controversial agency
A bill proposed by newly elected state Sen. Jim Norman would benefit taxi and limousine operators, one of his major campaign backers.
Cities, counties lose big bucks as banks get tax breaks on repossessed homes
Local governments across the state are losing revenue because banks are getting the homestead-exemption tax breaks intended for the homeowners whose properties the lenders have repossessed.
Blog: FPL rate freeze proposal will finally be weighed
Regulators will consider a plan Tuesday to freeze Florida Power & Light customers’ base rates through 2012.
Florida’s banking industry faces another stressful year of problem loans and likely more failures as it lags behind recovery elsewhere in the country.
As Republicans take U.S. House, Florida’s clout surges
U.S. Rep. John Mica started to pull out his cell phone but was suddenly struck with modesty, pushing it back in his pocket. A second later, he could not contain himself.
TIME: Florida Everglades Cleanup — A River of Morass
On December 11, 2000, with Governor Jeb Bush at his side, President Bill Clinton signed a landmark $7.8 billion bill to revive the dying Florida Everglades.
U.S. Representative Allen West’s new top aide opposite of radio talker Joyce Kaufman
After his odd pick of conservative radio talker Joyce Kaufman as chief of staff blew up, incoming Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West went the opposite direction by selecting Washington insider Jonathan Blyth to be his top aide.
The unveiling (sort of) of a Florida-made car
The side door to the warehouse opened and the little blue hatchback drove in, then out onto the floor, past 80-odd dignitaries who may have witnessed the start of Florida’s automotive industry.
Is Florida holding sex offenders in legal limbo?
At a state sex-offender treatment center outside Arcadia, hundreds of inmates who completed their prison terms are held until they receive sufficient treatment to learn to control their criminal behavior.
Column: Sink counting paper clips until last day in office
Although her political opponents ridiculed her zealous quest to crack down on the use of office supplies by state workers, Alex Sink is still counting paper clips in her final days as the state’s chief financial officer — and proud of it.
Obamacare Individual Mandate Found Unconstitutional by Federal Judge in Virginia
A U.S. judge in Virginia Monday declared unconstitutional a key part of President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare law in the first major setback on an issue that will likely end up at the Supreme Court.
White House kills e-flood insurance project
The White House has pulled the plug on a program to automate the processing of flood insurance claims, as part of a review of vital information technology systems at risk of squandering the government’s nearly $80 billion IT budget.
In this week’s issue for our subscribers, we are pleased to publish an interview with Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood) on the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and his battle with some plaintiff’s attorneys to get financial information on the association.
Risk Management Solutions Conducts Risk Analysis for SCOR’s Atlas VI Cat Bonds
Risk Management Solutions announced that it has successfully conducted the expert risk analysis for the second issuance of the Atlas VI bond (Series 2010-I Class A Notes) sponsored by French reinsurer SCOR Group.
A.M. Best Special Report: Life Reinsurers Stable; New Capital Enters the Market
New companies have entered the U.S. life reinsurance market in the past year and a half as the direct market seeks capital relief and evolving products generate demand for different forms of reinsurance.
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