Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, Jan. 14

 

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Citizens at eye of storm over state investment pool

$7 billion of insurer’s assets invested in troubled state fund

Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Florida’s largest property insurer, is hoping its investments in a troubled state investment pool bounce back before hurricane season starts in June.

 

Florida Medicaid recipients sue state over new plan

Florida’s Medicaid reform experiment is being challenged in court in a federal class-action lawsuit filed by three Broward County recipients who claim the state improperly traps people in unsuitable medical coverage.

Future of med-mal caps in doubt

Five years ago, following a well-documented battle between insurance companies and patient rights groups, Florida capped statutory damages on medical malpractice insurance awards. Recent news suggests that the future of these caps may be in jeopardy.

Property tax-cut fate hard to call, with only two full weeks before vote

It was supposed to be a no-brainer. Give Florida voters a chance to cut their taxes and they will, case closed.

Survey results reveal residents’ growing discontent with life in Florida

A survey reveals increasing dissatisfaction with life in Florida. The discontent may be an early warning sign, analysts say.

Long a powerful magnet, Florida is losing some of its luster as pessimism about the quality of life in paradise grows stronger.

Editorial: People won’t buy insurance execs’ explanations unless questioned under oath

ISSUE: Insurance officials to testify under oath.

Bring out the holy books and let’s get this discussion under oath, pronto.

Early voting starts today; big turnout expected for Jan. 29 Florida primary

The 2008 Florida presidential primary begins today with the start of early voting, and a flood of absentee-ballot requests is an indication that turnout could be high.

Republican Giuliani Tells Fla. He Backs National Catastrophe Plan

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani said that his experience as New York City’s mayor during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks is a big reason why he supports a national insurance backup fund.

Inquiry Focuses on Withholding of Data on Loans

An investigation into the mortgage crisis by New York State prosecutors is now focusing on whether Wall Street banks withheld crucial information about the risks posed by investments linked to subprime loans.

Save Our Homes portability in Florida poses risks

It is arguably the most popular perk of the property-tax constitutional amendment headed to voters. It could also be the legal undoing of Florida’s current property-tax system.

State House, Senate candidates file campaign finance reports

Selected noteworthy contributions, Oct. 1 to Dec. 31:

South Florida’s economic outlook

It seems clear that the South Florida economy, like that of the rest of the nation, will be slowing to a tortoise pace in 2008.

State warned of signatures glitch

Problem could jeopardize status of two initiatives

Florida election officials knew seven months ago that the state’s electronic voter system was miscounting petition signatures, yet did not go public until days ago, when they ran out of time to fix it.

Municipal groups wary of tax fallout

Coming on the heels of last year’s property tax reforms, counties, cities and school boards across the state are bracing for another shake-up of the system, should voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment Jan. 29.

The tasks of the tax force

Times Tallahassee Bureau Chief Steve Bousquet explains why the tax commission job is both important and hard, set against the state’s low-tax history and the current looming budget crisis. Here’s what to watch for.

Florida legislators line up cuts amid worsening economic news

Every time Florida lawmakers return to Tallahassee, they seem to get hit with more dire economic news. Now, they’re about to respond.

Study: Making Workers’ Comp Medical Fee Schedules More Effective

The primary finding in a National Council on Compensation Insurance study is that fee schedules are effective at controlling workers’ compensation medical costs.

Employers Holdings Buys AmCOMP For $193 M

Reno, Nev.-based Employers Holdings, Inc. announced yesterday that it would acquire AmCOMP Incorporated in a $230 million deal that includes the assumption of $37 million in debt.

S&P Considers Enterprise Risk Management Impact

Analysts at Standard & Poor’s are considering whether enterprise risk management (ERM) should be expanded as a factor in rating companies, an executive with the firm said yesterday.