Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, December 14
Dec 14, 2009
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Florida’s ASI Lloyds is not renewing some insurance policies in Louisiana
ASI Lloyds, a Florida insurer that started writing homeowners coverage in Louisiana last year with the help of a $5-million grant from taxpayers, has been opting not to renew policies to manage its hurricane exposure in the state.
Sinkhole near White Springs prompts well tests
Wells that company uses are being tested for any contamination
Wells near White Springs in Hamilton County are being tested for contamination after 84 million gallons of water from a fertilizer plant flooded a sinkhole, a state spokeswoman said Sunday.
Flood watch issued for parts of Panhandle
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for parts of the Florida Panhandle.
Editorial: Bill returns that snubs consumers to favor insurers
Once again, Florida lawmakers are waving the banner of consumer choice while pushing legislation that could jack property-insurance rates sky-high.
Editorial: Property Insurance: Increase Consumer Choice
Few pieces of legislation were more far-sighted during last year’s legislative session than HB 447, the so-called property insurance “consumer choice bill.”
Should it stay or should it go? State Farm’s decision affects all of us.
Pembroke Pines resident Luis Lobo was surprised recently when his State Farm agent told him that his homeowner’s insurance would cost 70 percent more because the insurer had eliminated certain discounts.
Editorial: Florida needs insurance rules change
Florida needs legislation that lets insurance companies charge rates that will get them writing new policies again to cover homeowners against a hurricane.
Column: Capital Ideas: New ‘State Farm bill’ will test backers’ faith in the marketplace
Property insurance rate deregulation is back, as promised, before the Legislature in the spring. Sen. Mike Bennett and Rep. Bill Proctor have filed again a proposal to allow big insurers to charge what they want.
Florida pain management clinic rregistration begins December 16
The Florida Department of Health announced today that the registration process for pain management clinics will begin December 16.
Minimum Florida Car Insurance Requirements May Not Be Sufficient
The state of Florida requires motorists to carry an auto insurance policy consisting of coverage for both personal injury and damage to the property of others.
Governor Crist celebrates new Fla. Sen. Mike Fasano regional hurricane shelter
Innovative shelter opens in response to increased emergency and disaster management
Governor Charlie Crist today participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the new Mike Fasano Regional Hurricane Shelter.
Chinese drywall on the Treasure Coast raising questions for insurers
Several major insurance companies are dispelling rumors that Treasure Coast homes containing Chinese drywall are instantly dropped once a homeowner confirms the questionable materials are found in a home.
- Blog: HUD says federal funds can be applied to drywall fix
- U.S. Senator Bill Nelson said today the federal government’s close to resolving the question of help for people whose homes are contaminated with imported drywall.
- Florida Political staffers to listen to Chinese drywall complaints
Regulators shut banks in Florida, Arizona, Kansas
Regulators on Friday shut down banks in Florida, Arizona and Kansas, bringing to 133 the number of U.S. banks that have failed to hold up this year against the struggling economy and a cascade of loan defaults.
Florida Congresswoman amends TARP bill to help homeowners
If more money is going to be made available to help out struggling banks and credit facilities through the federal government, there will be assistance for struggling homeowners as well thanks to some local influence.
Area agency wants to take state’s control of local growth
A Jacksonville-based council of local governments wants to take over the state’s job of regulating development in Northeast Florida.
Legislators Leave Rail Authority To Rot
How do you get rid of a Legislature-created body?
Criticized as a toothless tiger, the Commission on Ethics wants more authority to investigate and punish wayward officials in Florida.
Bill may clarify Sunshine Law questions
State Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Marti Coley said Friday they plan to file legislation to clarify how the state Sunshine Law applies to economic development groups that accept both public and private financing.
Race enters debate over redrawing Florida political districts
Measures aimed at keeping state lawmakers from crafting politically gerrymandered districts could become enmeshed in racial politics, with legislators questioning whether Florida could comply both with the proposed state constitutional amendments and the federal Voting Rights Act.
Column: Is Florida retirement system overrun by politics?
Gubernatorial rivals Bill McCollum, Alex Sink face off on control of state’s investments, including $100 billion-plus pension funds
The fallout from the 2007 meltdown of Florida’s Local Government Investment Pool is leaching into the political campaigns of two of the fund’s trustees.
D’Alemberte asks court to name Innocence Commission
Former American Bar Association President and prominent Tallahassee lawyer Sandy DAlemberte filed a petition with the Friday asking it to establish a commission to investigate how wrongful convictions occur.
Lockheed Orlando unit reels in Army deal worth almost $100 million for Apache work
Lockheed Martin Corp.’s Missiles & Fire Control unit in Orlando has landed an Army deal worth nearly $100 million for maintenance support work on the Apache combat helicopter fleet, the Army said Thursday.
Windstorm insurer strikes back at plaintiffs’ lawyers
Under fire for how it handled Hurricane Ike claims, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association sent a letter to lawmakers this week criticizing lawyers suing the association on behalf of homeowners.
NCOIL Says No To FIO, Voices Concerns With H.R. 4173
National Conference of Insurance Legislators President Rep. Robert Damron (KY) wrote House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) this morning to outline NCOIL concerns with H.R. 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009, and to indicate NCOIL strong opposition to a Federal Insurance Office.
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