Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, February 23
Feb 23, 2009
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Fla. OIR Ponders Next Move On Credit Scoring
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) will review testimony on use of consumer credit information as an auto insurance rating factor, but has no timeline yet regarding when, or if, it will take action to curb the practice, a spokesman said.
Kottkamp threatens suit over Aubuchon drywall
The attorney for Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp said Friday he is working with Aubuchon Homes to avoid going to court over the defective Chinese drywall found in his residence.
Florida regulators targeting Stranger-Originated Life Insurance as illegal
Free steak lunches?
They continue to pitch financial services – despite a Securities and Exchange Commission crackdown on them in 2006 and 2007.
Returning Florida Lawmakers’ Agenda Includes Property Insurance Woes
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s political mantra has been to hold down property insurance rates, taxes and almost anything else costly for people he wants voting for him next year.
Lawmakers Still Searching For Insurance Fix
Gov. Charlie Crist’s political mantra has been to hold down property insurance rates, taxes and almost anything else costly for people he wants voting for him next year.
EDITORIAL: Confronting the state’s insurance crisis
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 start working on how to make hurricane coverage viable.
Companies line up to take over State Farm policies
More Florida-based insurers are eagerly seeking property-insurance customers whose policies will eventually be dropped by State Farm Florida.
Website offers information, tips for State Farm customers
State insurance regulators have listed some key information and a timeline for State Farm Florida Insurance clients whose homeowners and business policies won’t be renewed starting in November.
COLUMN: Other insurers will be available after State Farm leaves Florida
The news is somewhat shocking: State Farm may soon cease to be a good neighbor at least in Florida.
The bad news is that 1.2 million policyholders across the state will be thrown into an insurance market where a good policy is nearly as hard to find as a good mate.
Local Residents Irked About State Farm’s Pullout From Fla.
When Ron Hall heard State Farm would be dumping him and 1.2 million other property insurance policyholders in Florida, he didn’t get mad.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Life after State Farm
The day before Thanksgiving my house burned down.
In Medicaid reform, Florida GOP saw rich benefit
While Florida politicians were considering a vast overhaul of the state’s troubled Medicaid system, a Tampa company that administered care for half a million poor and needy residents was busy lining their pockets with campaign donations.
Fla. unemployment compensation benefits increased
Florida unemployment compensation benefits are increasing by $25 a week due to federal stimulus funding.
Henricks Joins AmWINS Brokerage in Florida
Lynn Henricks has joined wholesaler AmWINS Brokerage of Florida as vice president.
Will Crist Make Run For Senate?
Gov. Charlie Crist has pursued his political career through five offices in 17 years, and now is looking at a sixth, the U.S. Senate.
Crist, Jindal Represent Divergence For GOP
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist stuck to his alliance with President Barack Obama over the federal stimulus package – an alliance that has angered many Florida Republicans – in a televised debate with Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana on Sunday.
Crist reserves judgment on Obama’s plan for homeowners
Before going to a party at the White House, Gov. Charlie Crist suggested that he’s not yet a fan of President Barack Obama’s plan to help homeowners.
Gov. Charlie Crist has emerged as one of the biggest Republican champions of President Barack Obama’s economic-stimulus package, but he said Sunday he’s not yet signed on to the administration’s bid to rescue struggling homeowners.
Stimulus foe Rooney now asking for a share
Freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, and every other Republican in the House voted against a Democrat-drafted $787 billion economic stimulus package.
Sugar shift: Rival seeks a cut in deal
A critic of the state’s $1.34 billion land deal with U.S. Sugar has quietly entered the bidding for its rival.
If you can’t beat them, buy them.
EDITORIAL: Bill would increase Tribe sovereignty
OUR OPINION: Ill-advised proposal would give tribes unnecessary authority
When someone commits a crime or is involved in an accident in Florida, it is generally understood that the state has jurisdiction and will proceed with whatever investigation, charge, penalty or punishment is warranted.
COLUMN: Legislature’s shell bills keep everyone guessing
They’re lined up like little tin soldiers, 80 uniform pieces of legislation that lawmakers are ready to play with when the 2009 session starts next week.
Dockside casinos at Port Canaveral could be a tough sell.
The state Legislature is now focused on forging a gaming compact with the Seminole tribe, and opposition to dockside gambling is waiting in the wings.
State bill again seeks to pay for losing bids
State transportation officials paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to companies that lost bids on big projects after they were denied authority to do so by the governor’s veto.
State allots funds to handle jump in food stamp applications
During its special session in January, the Legislature allocated $35,000 for overtime in District 19 of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
EDITORIAL: Tab for bad banks nears half a billion dollars — and that’s just in Florida
The cost of rescuing failed Florida banks is nearing the $500 million mark.
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink shares thoughts on economy in Lake visit
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink told dozens of local officials to explore ways to reinvent Florida’s economy.
Due Diligence Limits Surprises, Bad Outcomes On Program Business
Inexperienced, unprepared carriers risk package blowing up in their face
Specialty program business can provide a noncorrelated source of profitable commercial premium for companies looking for top-line growth or to supplement their core books of business.
New York Regulator ‘Reminds’ Insurers about Accounting Requirements
New York Insurance Department Superintendent Eric Dinallo issued a reminder last week that insurance companies must file annual financial reports or supplements that comply with the accounting requirements prescribed by the state’s insurance law.
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