Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, December 8
Dec 8, 2008
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The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation today announced that Commissioner Kevin McCarty was elected to the position of secretary-treasurer for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The vote today at the NAIC Winter National Meeting elevates McCarty to an officer position with the NAIC for a 1-year term.
Fla. Takes Aim at Late Reporting by Employers and Carriers
The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation released a set of sweeping changes to its Standards and Practices Rules Thursday aimed at curbing late payments and tardy data reporting by employers and carriers and levying “pattern-and-practice” fines of $20,000 if it finds routine violations.
State Rep. Robaina Says HB 601 to be revised
Is the change in state law that requires each owner to have insurance on our property?
Orange Park: Lack of Town Council support wrecks crash tax proposal
The plan would charge at-fault drivers for police emergency cost
Orange Park leaders shot down a controversial proposal Tuesday night that would have recouped costs for police emergency services by charging a fee to at-fault drivers involved in accidents.
Brown & Brown Acquires Assets of Stewart & Tunno Insurance Agency
A subsidiary of Brown & Brown Inc. has acquired the assets of Stewart & Tunno Insurance Agency Inc.
Florida Renters Without Insurance Struggle to Recover from Fires
Months after wildfires destroyed dozens of homes in Palm Bay, Florida, frustrated renters in the area say they’re having trouble getting back on their feet.
Elderly fatal falls occur more often in Lee County
Health statistics show that more elderly fatal falls occur in Lee County in southwest Florida than any other part of the state, but authorities aren’t sure why.
Florida insurance discounts may hide under roof
Looking for savings on homeowner’s insurance? Finding a discount might be as easy as hiring a certified home inspector.
Greg Karsa, 61, of Palm Harbor, did just that this week, and now he could save more than $1,000. His home, the inspector found, already had several protections against hurricanes that were not calculated in his original $3,100 premium.
Experts: Big trees shelter homes from wind in storms
Big trees around homes help buffer the structures against the vicious winds of hurricanes and tropical storms, one of the nations leading engineers said Thursday on the final day of a national hurricane conference at Walt Disney World.
Foes Come Together in Florida For Hurricane Mitigation
Environmentalists and free market practitioners are seeking common ground in finding ways to minimize risks associated with hurricanes, according to speakers at the Hurricane Science for Safety Leadership Forum.
Still need Fay assistance? Tuesday is deadline to appeal denial
Were you denied federal assistance after Tropical Storm Fay? You’ve got another chance. If you applied for help and got a denial letter, you have until Tuesday to appeal.
Clients will pay share of service instead of flat rate
Attention seniors: The folks at Florida Health Care Plans think you should know more about what health care costs — and this lesson could mean you’ll pay more.
Panel interviewing Fla. Supreme Court applicants
The applicants are appearing Monday before the Supreme Court Nomination Commission in Tampa. The commission will forward at least three names to Gov. Charlie Crist.
Former Gov. Chiles’ family threatens to sue state
In stark and angry terms, the family of former Gov. Lawton Chiles is threatening to sue Gov. Charlie Crist and legislative leaders if they try to balance the budget by raiding the Lawton Chiles Endowment Fund for children and seniors.
Automakers May Face New Florida Standards
A vote last week by a state regulatory commission means auto manufacturers may have to revamp the cars and trucks they sell in Florida to meet a tough new emissions standard.
Governor Crist Announces $11.5 Million to Help Florida Homeowners
Federal dollars will help the state provide legal counseling to homeowners at risk of foreclosure
Governor Charlie Crist today announced that Florida has received nearly $11.5 million to continue providing statewide foreclosure prevention counseling and legal assistance to homeowners in foreclosure. The boost will enable 77 counseling agencies and organizations across the state to provide foreclosure counseling. The funds also will allow legal services groups to counsel area homeowners at risk of foreclosure.
Gaetz appointed to chair three Senate committees
Senate President Jeff Atwater has named Senator Don Gaetz to chair three Senate committees, giving the Panhandle Republican sway over issues ranging from health care to business regulation to transportation to economic policy.
Bush run for Senate could ignite Crist rivalry
If Jeb Bush decides to run for U.S. Senate, he’d not only give Democrats their biggest challenge but also present potential political hurdles for the top Republican in Florida: Gov. Charlie Crist.
Blue Dog might be in hunt for Senate
You probably haven’t heard of Allen Boyd, but that may soon change. The 12-year Democratic U.S. House member from the North Florida town of Monticello is talking to fundraisers, political leaders, friends and relatives about outgoing Republican Sen. Mel Martinez’s seat. He didn’t say it, but he sounded in a phone call like a candidate more likely to run than not.
Florida 6th most unhealthy state
Florida is one of the most unhealthy states in the country, according to America’s Health Rankings.
Health advocates push for $1-increase tax on cigarettes
$1-per-pack more is goal
Could tobacco help save Florida’s public health?
Snubbed Black sticks to goal: Reshape GOP
Derek Black’s attempt to ‘infiltrate’ the Republican Party was thwarted last week, but he’s not giving up.
The 19-year-old son of former Ku Klux Klan Grand Wizard Don Black and close associate of celebrity Klan alumnus David Duke won a little-noticed August election to one of 111 Palm Beach County Republican Executive Committee seats. But the party refused to seat Black at Wednesday’s meeting because he hadn’t signed a partisan loyalty oath before a June deadline.
Florida senator presses firm to stop doing business with Iran
State Sen. Ted Deutch has a vision where Florida puts a stop to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Special report: The State of Citrus
Commercial orange groves stretch far and wide in Florida, but Polk County citrus feels downright cozy.
Rival bid to buy U.S. Sugar land may be ignored
As Florida moves ahead with its costly plan to buy a huge swath of land from the U.S. Sugar Corp. and use it to restore the Everglades, a rival plan has emerged that could prove superior for taxpayers, shareholders and perhaps even the Everglades itself.
Agencies lower water levels in the Everglades, save wildlife
With some help from nature, agencies have dropped water levels in the Everglades and ended the threat of massive wildlife losses.
The water, perilously high a month ago, has retreated, leaving the muck pocked with promising signs: Deer tracks weaving through bay trees and cabbage palms on a tree island deep in the Everglades.
NAIC Approves ‘Framework’ To Revise Reinsurance Collateral
Final details remain to be put in place, but the nation’s insurance regulators, after nearly a decade of study, have adopted a “conceptual framework” to modify the 100 percent collateral requirements for foreign reinsurers.
Texas Judge’s Ruling Raises Questions on Red-Light Cameras
A Dallas judge has issued a civil court ruling that a company has no authority to monitor intersections with red-light cameras unless it holds a license as an investigations company.
Ex-Louisiana Citizens Chief Charged With Theft, Fraud
The former chief of Louisiana’s state-backed insurance company was booked on 14 counts of theft and released from custody on bond, as he prepares to fight allegations that he fraudulently spent about $30,000 of the firm’s money for personal travel and entertainment.
Proposals on Changes for Insurers Move Ahead
A group working for state insurance regulators has green-lighted several proposals submitted by the life-insurance industry in recent weeks aimed at lowering insurers’ capital and reserve requirements.
Interim Asst Sec Kashkari Remarks on Financial Markets and TARP Update
Interim Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability Neel Kashkari Remarks on Financial Markets and TARP Update
The answer to SEC Ruling 151A is finally here!
State securities officials are usually on the watch for people selling shares in oil wells that don’t exist or investment funds that are Ponzi schemes.
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