Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, December 28

Dec 28, 2009

 

 

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Tackling contentious insurance issues

In the 2010 legislative session, resolving claims faster and simplifying medical billing will be the big issues for Sean Shaw, the state’s insurance consumer advocate.

As the state insurance consumer advocate, Sean Shaw has a full plate as the 2010 legislative session looms just two months away.

 

New Florida rules to take effect on sinkholes, property taxes

The start of 2010 brings with it the enactment of new state rules and regulations relating to sinkhole insurance and property taxes.

 

Drywall keeps Florida owners in limbo

Ryleigh Jo Baker just celebrated her first Christmas, but it wasn’t in the house that her parents envisioned.

 

Column:  Legislation is a prescription for better eye care in Florida

Florida legislators may not have much say in the national debate over health-care insurance and delivery, but early next year they can make a policy ‘fix’ that could pay huge dividends for Floridians who seek eye care.

 

Florida among nation’s fastest-growing states

Florida was again among 10 fastest-growing states in the nation last year, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

 

New Florida law spurs rush to get mortgage broker licenses

Florida’s Office of Financial Regulation has received 4,600 mortgage broker licensing applications since July, more than double the amount requested for all of last fiscal year.

 

THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA:  Supreme Court orders mediation in foreclosure cases

The Florida Supreme Court on Monday ordered local judges to adopt a uniform mediation program for foreclosure cases and other interventions to deal with the tide of foreclosure cases clogging the courts.

 

State advises Volusia to kill massive growth plan

State officials scooted under a legal deadline on Christmas Eve, delivering a bah humbug message to a request from Volusia County and the Miami Corp, the county’s largest private landowner.

 

Florida taking part in federal program to get residents back to work

Florida is participating in a new federal stimulus program aimed at putting jobless people back to work by subsidizing their pay and benefits through Sept. 30.

 

$56M-plus in work still available for SunRail

The approval of Central Florida’s 61-mile SunRail project means more than $56 million in contracts still available and more than 11,000 jobs in construction and operations for the region, said the Florida Department of Transportation.

 

The finagling’s begun for added Florida House seat

The process to determine how Florida slices up its 26 congressional seats has started.

 

New grouper ban could devastate Fla. fishing industry

ALREADY PRICEY: Grouper’s price, already $17.99 per pound at grocery chain stores in the Keys, could go higher when the supply goes down.

 

Looming federal water quality standards set off firestorm in Florida

The looming release of new water quality standards for Florida lakes, rivers and streams has business groups and elected officials crying foul, saying the federal rules will create a “water tax” that could cost residents up to $50 billion.

 

Mississippi to Block Coast-Only Insurance Rate Filings

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney said he’s taking steps aimed at discouraging companies from seeking higher rates for the Gulf Coast or other specific areas of Mississippi.

 

Mississippi Stabilizes Wind Pool Insurance Premiums with $19 Million

Property owners insured in the Mississippi wind pool may soon find some relief from rising premium costs with the transfer of $19 million from the Mississippi Insurance Department to the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association, the official name for the wind pool.

 

New York Orders Two Insurers to Reinstate 260 Policies

The New York State Insurance Department has ordered insurers Homesite Insurance Co. and Security Mutual Insurance Co. to offer to reinstate at total of 260 homeowners’ policies across the state.

 

NCOIL Pans NAIC National Commission Proposal 

The officers of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators said a National Association of Insurance Commissioners coordination proposal would weaken state authority.

 

RMS: Cost of Europe’s 1999 Windstorms Could be 25% Higher Today

A decade after windstorms Anatol, Lothar and Martin wreaked havoc on Europe, catastrophe modeler Risk Management Solutions said a repeat of those events today would bring much higher insured losses.

 

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