Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, February 16
Feb 16, 2009
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Rival insurance companies filling void from State Farm’s Florida exit
State Farm Florida Insurance Co.’s announced exit from the property insurance market is a boon for other insurance companies and independent agencies that are picking up the insurer’s customers well before they’re officially dropped.
State Officials Need To Make Sure Insurance Gap Is Filled
Thousands of State Farm policyholders around Florida are angry with the insurance giant and can’t wait to see the company leave.
FLORIDA INSURANCE CONSUMER ADVOCATE SEAN SHAW: State Farm customers have options
As Florida’s Insurance Consumer Advocate, I am disappointed in State Farm Florida’s decision to exit the property insurance market.
PRESIDENT, NAIFA FLORIDA: Insurance companies–Kicking them is self-defeating
Many politicians, editorialists and citizens have weighed in on the recent decision by State Farm to withdraw from Florida’s property insurance market.
EDITORIAL: Crist and Legislature must work with insurers to ensure storm coverage
Now that the state has given State Farm Florida conditional approval to leave Florida’s property insurance market, Gov. Charlie Crist and legislative leaders can drop their populist rhetoric and try to figure out how to make hurricane coverage viable.
COLUMN: Scholar is sad to see State Farm go
“Unless Governor Crist and the Legislature swiftly make several painful but necessary changes to Florida’s current insurance system, State Farm’s retreat places the entire state in grave fiscal peril,” wrote Eli Lehrer recently
EDITORIAL: Florida’s realities
The state of Florida has refused to allow State Farm Mutual to raise homeowner insurance premiums by nearly 50 percent.
Chinese drywall the latest suspected threat to Florida consumers
Longtime couple Jordan Burrus and Rick Mennine thought they had found the perfect home: a brand-new three-bedroom, two-bath town home.
Insurance agent accused of fraud
An insurance agent scammed an elderly Nokomis man when she sold him insurance annuities but kept the money for herself, authorities say.
Following meetings around the state with senior investors and the “Safeguard our Seniors” Task Force, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink will join taskforce members and Senator Mike Bennett (R-Bradenton) and Representative Keith Fitzgerald (DSarasota) to announce legislation aimed at better protecting Florida’s senior population from financial fraud.
How much will Florida really get in the stimulus package?
Counties, cities and transportation authorities across the region were hoping to get major relief for road projects. Unfortunately, that money may never come.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who voted in favor of the $838 billion Senate version of the economic stimulus bill, released more information saying the $787 billion House-Senate compromise would do the following in Florida:
Florida waits on millions in foreclosure aid
Long before Congress passed the $700 billion bank bailout, the $25 billion auto bailout and the new $789 billion stimulus program, stemming the foreclosure tide was all lawmakers could think about.
Will No-Tax Vow Haunt Lawmakers?
Even conservative lawmakers are talking these days about making tax changes that could expand Florida’s shrinking coffers.
Gov. Charlie Crist readies four proposals for property tax relief
Property taxes in Florida have not dropped “like a rock” as Gov. Charlie Crist said they would, but he’s going to keep trying to make good on a promise made two years ago.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Meek Gets Early Union Endorsement in U.S. Senate Race
U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, who became the first major candidate to get in the 2010 U.S. Senate race last month, picked up the first big endorsement of the race Monday when the Service Employees International Union backed his bid.
For every tax exemption, an industry ready to fight
BUDGET: Legislators look at code, but suggested cuts find little traction
Facing a historic budget crisis, House lawmakers did something last week that has not been done for more than two decades: They began a review of hundreds of exemptions in Florida’s sales tax.
Will Gov. Crist run for Senate? Signs point to yes
Gov. Charlie Crist says he will not announce until at least May whether he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2010.
North Miami mayor to seek Senate seat
North Miami Mayor Kevin Burns, the city’s first openly gay mayor, is not ready to end his political career.
The next time you see a woman who tells you she is a “housewife,” don’t attempt to stereotype her. She could be another Kelli Stargel: mother of five, wife, manager of family rentals, home-schooler, church volunteer and one of the most powerful Republican women in the county.
Greener cars not certain in Florida
Legislature shows little support for strict emission rules.
An effort to make Florida’s cars more fuel efficient has seen two significant victories in the past three months. But those victories will mean nothing if the Legislature ignores the issue.
$26.5 million to move 20 miles
Everybody is eager for the financial company T. Rowe Price to move its operations to a site in Pasco County.
New Optional Federal Charter Bill Lets Market Set Personal Lines Rates
A House bill to be introduced before month’s end that would create a federal regulator for insurance companies and producers who wish to be supervised by Washington will allow the market to set personal lines rates, according to an outline of the legislation acquired last week by National Underwriter.
PCI Says New OFC Proposal Misses Mark
The head of the Des Plaines, Ill.-based Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) says the proposed National Insurance Consumer Protection and Regulatory Modernization Act does not address the interrelated risks that threaten the health of insurance companies.
Insurers Go To States For A Break On Surplus Requirements
More insurers under state “permitted practices” rules are requesting relief from requirements concerning their capital surplus.
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