Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, December 22
Dec 22, 2008
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A.M. Best Restores Ratings of Insurers Tied to Florida Hurricane Fund
Following the completion of the 2008 hurricane season, A.M. Best Co. has removed from under review and affirmed several insurers’ ratings it had issued in October when there was concern over the insurers’ exposure to the state’s hurricane fund in a time of credit market difficulties.
Florida Battles Annuities, But Why?
Florida has been blaring the sirens on inappropriate annuity sales but there does not appear to be an actual fire.
Crist’s health-coverage fix likely isn’t, experts predict
Disappointment may be in store for those hoping that Gov. Charlie Crist’s Cover Florida health plans will solve the problem of unaffordable health care for the state’s 3.8 million uninsured adults.
Obama’s health-policy team to hold meeting in Tallahassee tonight
The Presidential Transition Health Policy Team has created a national effort to learn what changes Americans want to see in health-care policy and practices. Tallahassee is one of the cities that will be hosting a community discussion forum.
Disability Benefits Could Get Overhaul
With thousands of developmentally disabled Floridians and their families protesting cuts to their services, the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities is talking about overhauling its programs.
When can a Florida parent promise not to sue?
Have you ever signed one of those releases promising that you won’t sue, so that your kid could take part in an activity?
State’s Republican party slams Crist for London trip
The Republican Party of Florida spent more than $45,000 this summer on chauffeurs, a luxury hotel, meals and attractions in London about the same time Gov. Charlie Crist and others traveled there on a trade mission.
Democrats Plan To Go After ‘Empty Chair Charlie’
Buoyed by Barack Obama’s victory in Florida last month, state Democratic Party Chairman Karen Thurman today took aim at one of her next targets: Gov. Charlie Crist.
Florida’s unemployment rate jumped to a 15-year high last month, rising to 7.3 percent, and the state’s job losses are increasingly being felt outside of the hard-hit construction industry.
Fla. Dems re-elect Thurman as party chair
Buoyed by Barack Obama’s victory in Florida last month, state Democratic Party Chairman Karen Thurman on Saturday took aim at one of her next targets: Gov. Charlie Crist.
Weston-based legislator Sands says he lost savings in Madoff fund
Franklin Sands, one of the Florida’s leading political figures as House minority leader, told the Sun Sentinel on Sunday that his life savings have been nearly wiped out in the Bernard Madoff financial scandal.
Florida wears U.S. corruption crown
Tired of seeing Florida constantly at the bottom of national rankings? Take heart. The Department of Justice says we’re No. 1 in one category: corruption.
The Florida Citrus Commission has decided to dump a more comprehensive reform of state citrus taxes in favor of a simpler change that would tax imported orange juice to finance scientific research.
Everglades plan meets resistance in Tallahassee
Powerful Florida lawmakers are lining up against Gov. Charlie Crist’s historic plan to restore big parts of the Everglades, creating the possibility that the $1.34 billion land deal could fall apart.
Water for plants = less for humans
Half of state’s water use goes to landscaping for homes
Early Florida settlers weren’t known for their lush, green lawns. Even in the 1920s, many Floridians raked their sand yards, keeping them free of leaves and debris.
Florida‘s new first lady begins public life
Carole Crist easily stepped into her public role as Florida’s new first lady with a glowing smile and engaging eyes as she handed out gift-wrapped books to foster children Sunday at the governor’s mansion.
Sen. Haridopolos should lead charge to change flawed redistricting process
Making government more democratic should be a top priority for all elected officials.
EDITORIAL: Amendment 2–Told you so
Backers of Amendment 2, the ‘Marriage Protection Amendment’ that Florida voters approved last month, denied that it could have ramifications beyond defining marriage as between one man and one woman. They denied that the amendment could allow challenges to same-sex domestic partner benefits.
Inability to budget, nature of expenses puts projects at risk
Most nights it’s possible to look skyward with a pair of cheap binoculars and see a $100,000 mistake circling the Earth. The glowing object – an orbiting NASA tool bag – was lost last month by an astronaut during a spacewalk.
State’s green-energy future down to one choice: Renewable or clean
The future of green energy in Florida and the fate of your electric bill rest in the state’s choice between two words: renewable or clean.
Five months of public hearings ended this month, and Florida’s utility regulators now must decide whether the state should have “renewable” energy rules or “clean” energy rules. The seemingly insignificant choice of an adjective is actually a billion-dollar decision that will put nuclear power in its place in Florida’s energy future.
CNLBank’s bid for TARP funds is capital idea
At first, the leaders of CNLBank wanted nothing to do with a government bailout.
When the boardroom began to debate whether to seek federal help, they hated the idea that people might think they wanted a “government handout.”
AIG Announces Sale of HSB Group to Munich Re
American International Group, Inc. (AIG) announced today an agreement to sell its wholly owned subsidiary HSB Group, Inc. (HSB), to the Munich Re Group. HSB, the parent company of The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company, is a leading worldwide provider of equipment breakdown and engineered lines insurance and reinsurance.
RIMS Calls For Government Action On NBCR Events
While it said it commends the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for its report on the availability of insurance coverage caused by acts of terrorism involving nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological (NBCR) weapons, the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) said the GAO stopped short of recommending specific policy solutions.
Subprime Crisis, Political Fallout Help Shape Year’s Biggest Insurance Stories
The ancient Chinese curse, “May you live in interesting times,” never resonated more within the property-casualty industry than it did in 2008, when the fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis nearly destroyed the nation’s highest-profile carrier, seriously undermined the balance sheets of nearly everyone else, and set the stage for the worst economy since The Great Depression. These macro-economic factors and the political fallout from them helped determine the top insurance news stories in 2008.
Subprime Lawsuits Already Up 50% and No End in Sight
There has been an unprecedented escalation in the number of subprime-related legal filings and worsening economic conditions promise to drive the litigation volume ever higher.
COMMENTARY: What Are The Coverage Gaps Created By The Limited Operations Endorsements?
Improper application of insurance terminology by some insurance news sources has created a wave of worry over an endorsement theses media outlets assert severely limits the protection provided by the commercial general liability (CGL) policy . Readers are even warned that attachment of this endorsement is antithetical to the foundational principles of the CGL.
Ho-Ho-Ho Holiday Parties? Survey Says Homeowners Unaware of Risks
As millions of Americans host and attend holiday parties across the street or across the country, many are unaware of the risks they may be taking or of their own responsibilities to ensure their guests don’t hit the road drunk.
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