Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, February 2
Feb 2, 2009
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Three days after announcing he was temporarily stepping aside as speaker of the Florida House, Ray Sansom will be forced tonight to fully give up the job.
BestWeek: Competitors, Regulators See Silver Lining in State Farm’s Florida Departure
By fourth quarter 2011, if regulatory approvals are given, State Farm’s residential property operations in Florida will be a memory–leaving behind about 1.2 million policies state and industry officials hope the private market can absorb as well as dozens of unanswered questions about the future of a market already in strife.
Can others cover State Farm pullout?
Like a sudden storm, State Farm’s decision to pull out of Florida’s property insurance market arrived much bigger than anticipated, and the state could’ve used more time to get ready.
ELI LEHRER: State Farm’s decision to leave puts state’s citizens on brink
State Farm’s decision to quit providing homeowners insurance in Florida shows that the state’s insurance market simply can’t survive in its current form.
Fasano Considers Insurer Legislation
At least one infuriated lawmaker thinks State Farm should buy the farm as a Florida company if it goes through with its announced pullout from the property insurance market.
State Farm’s threat would hurt 800 agents
With State Farm threatening to drop all of its property-insurance customers in Florida during the next couple of years, the future is as uncertain for the company’s 800 Florida agents as it is for the 1.2 million policyholders.
La. won’t mirror Florida pullout
Donelon: Insurers ‘pleased to be here’
Florida’s continuing property insurance problems, capped by State Farm Florida pulling out of the market, won’t affect Louisiana’s efforts to recruit new insurers, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said Wednesday.
STEVE GELLER: Disaster plan–National insurance package a necessity
President Obama recently said he welcomed any good ideas for the economic stimulus package. I would like to offer him one such idea that would put more into the hands of American citizens, thus stimulating consumption.
Congress is doing its part for recovery; legislators next?
In health benefits for the poor or the unemployed, in unemployment compensation, and in education funding, Florida is among the stingiest states in the country.
Drywall problems may just be beginning
In the spring of 2006, the cargo ship Great Immensity headed toward Florida’s west coast. Its destination? the Port of Tampa.
Florida man gets 5 years for Hurricane Wilma insurance scam
A 40-year-old Golden Gate Estates man who accepted kickbacks for referring Hurricane Wilma home-repair work to a Naples contractor was sent to prison for five years Friday after pleading guilty to a roughly $76,000 insurance fraud scheme.
New anti-fraud policy for driver’s licenses alarms advocates for Florida immigrants
They’re immigrant victims of rape, torture, domestic violence and other crimes who have been notified they can legally stay in the United States.
Lawmakers may help shield health insurance data
State lawmakers may come to the aid of Florida school districts, including Manatee County, in their battle to keep health insurance enrollment records confidential.
Florida’s meager unemployment benefits squeezing families, state economy
Mike Corcoran, laid off from his job at Sharper Image in July, has about four months before he exhausts his retirement savings and unemployment benefits. ‘It’s tough. I’m nervous now,’ the Pompano Beach father of two young children said recently.
Governor Crist Convenes Agency, Administration Leaders to Begin Review of Federal Stimulus Dollars
Working group will carefully evaluate best use of Florida’s share of anticipated federal aid
Governor Charlie Crist, continuing his commitment to strengthening Florida’s economy, today directed administration and agency leaders to begin reviewing the best use of federal stimulus dollars anticipated to be sent to Florida as part of Congress’ American Recovery Act.
Seminole Tribe to defend gambling deal Monday at House panel hearing
No time for bluffs at gaming hearing
The Seminole Tribe of Florida will defend its gambling deal with the state before a House panel today.
GOP governors press Congress to pass stimulus bill
Most Republican governors have broken with their GOP colleagues in Congress and are pushing for passage of President Barack Obama’s economic aid plan that would send billions to states for education, public works and health care.
Ocala Lawmaker to Become Speaker of the House
As Florida lawmakers head toward one of their most difficult sessions in recent history, a likable, low-key lawmaker from Ocala has been catapulted from a largely ceremonial role into the high-pressure job as leader of the
Putnam Will Seek Top Fla. Ag Post
U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow said Sunday he would give up his seat and run for Florida agriculture commissioner.
Race for 2010 U.S. Senate seat still wide open
Gearing up for his first re-election to the U.S. Senate, Bob Graham had a simple strategy for dealing with Florida’s far-flung media markets, widely varying voting blocs and the costly complexities of statewide campaigning.
COLUMN: Gov. Charlie Crist’s coyness on Senate seat freezes field
Has someone put a hex on Florida’s open U.S. Senate seat?
Attorney General Bill McCollum bowed out last week, following the lead of former Gov. Jeb Bush. At this rate, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, who heads the GOP’s national senatorial campaign committee, might have to take out a Help Wanted ad.
Lawmakers spent the special session trying to close a growing budget gap. The regular session, which starts next month, brings more challenges.
Florida’s budget crisis and the economy will take center stage again when the Legislature convenes next month for its regular session. With an anticipated budget gap for 2009-10 of anywhere from $3.8 billion to $5.8 million and revenue forecasts continuing to shrink, the state is in for some extreme belt-tightening.
High court knocks tax cap off 2010 ballot
The Florida Supreme Court has knocked a proposal for a property tax cap off the 2010 ballot.
Florida High Court Rules Police Can Be Sued Over Safety Checks
A sharply divided Florida Supreme Court says law enforcement agencies can be sued over “safety checks” that go bad.
Lobbyist ties, state appraisers’ price concerns cloud U.S. Sugar deal
Appraisers at Florida’s top environmental agency raised sharp questions late last year about the logic behind the $1.34 billion price attached to Gov. Charlie Crist’s mammoth land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp.
Biotech research institute opens in Florida
A biotech research facility has opened its Florida headquarters.
Federal Oversight Foes Oppose Move For Treasury To Create OII Unilaterally
Two opponents of federal regulation say they support creation of a national Office of Insurance Information-but only through the legislative process, not via unilateral action by the Treasury Department.
NATIONAL VOICES: Easy to lift a DNA sample — so who’s checking yours?
In April 2008, the blogosphere was abuzz with news that someone was auctioning then-candidate Barack Obama’s half-eaten breakfast on eBay, along with silverware purported to contain his DNA. This episode led some to speculate that the DNA of one or both of the presidential candidates would be surreptitiously analyzed and their genetic information broadcast before the election for all to examine.
Hurricanes’ climate footprint felt for months
The full interplay between hurricanes and climate remains an enigma
Just as a changing climate shapes the strength and frequency of hurricanes, the storms may have a huge effect on climate, leaving “footprints” in the atmosphere and ocean.
Insurers in Illinois, Iowa Seek Relief From States
Insurers in Illinois, Iowa and Kansas are seeking relief from individual state regulators in the form of lower standards for capital reserves after failing to win nationwide reform.
Anxiety About Industry Complicates Consumer Choices
It was a head-spinning week for anyone with a life insurance policy.
Recession, Credit Crisis Stall Louisiana’s Hurricane Recovery Bonds
The U.S. recession and credit crisis have stalled a financing program created to help Louisiana recover from 2005’s devastating hurricanes, the southern state’s secretary for economic development told Reuters.
Insurers Seek Dismissal of Louisiana Road Home Suit
Lawyers for major insurance companies are asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses insurers of trying to profit from a grant program for homeowners devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
North Carolina homeowners denied hearing concerning Beach Plan insurance
Hearing officer William K. Hale of the N.C. Department of Insurance on Friday denied petitioners, whose Beach Plan homeowners insurance rates are set to jump beginning on Sunday, a chance to have a public hearing on the matter.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com