Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, January 10
Jan 10, 2011
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After surge in claims, new law on sinkholes urged
Just four years ago, every Citizens insurance customer in Pasco and Hernando counties carried sinkhole coverage.
Florida’s Brown & Brown Taps Penny as Chief Acquisitions Officer
J. Scott Penny has been named chief acquisitions officer for Florida-based insurance agency Brown & Brown Inc.
Florida Republicans Get Coveted Appropriations Assignments
United States Representative Hal Rogers, R-Ky., chairman of the United States House Appropriations Committee, named members of his party to the various appropriations subcommittees Friday — and three Florida Republicans won some plum assignments, giving the Sunshine State a large seat at the table when Congress sets federal expenditures.
Florida Democrats pick Rod Smith as chairman
Florida Democrats on Saturday chose as their new chairman Rod Smith, a former state senator from Gainesville who faces a major challenge rebuilding a party ravaged by recent election losses.
Amid an extraordinary security presence, three members of Congress from Broward and Palm Beach counties held a joint event Monday morning in Fort Lauderdale – the first such public gathering since a gunman on Saturday critically wounded one of their colleagues and killed six others.
Florida bank is first to fail in 2011
First Commercial Bank of Florida, a local bank in Orlando, became the first U.S. financial institution to fail in 2011.
Florida Legislature to discuss immigration reform
The Florida Legislature begins three days of hearings on one of Tallahassee’s most politically sensitive topics: immigration.
The first of three immigration meetings set for Monday will be the Senate’s first look at a debate over a comprehensive Arizona-style measure, a topic that Governor Rick Scott made one of the biggest social issues of his campaign.
Florida Governor Scott Talks Trade With Japanese Foreign Minister
Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail project at center of discussion
Governor Rick Scott met Saturday with Japanese Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara to discuss expanding trade between Florida and Japan, but it was the state’s high-speed rail project that most captured the focus of Maehara and the foreign press.
Florida Governor Scott to address Miami economic forum
Governor Rick Scott will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s South Florida Economic Summit in Miami, which starts Monday morning.
Florida Lawmakers seeking database of pawned goods
For nearly three months, a diamond necklace that authorities say would later help lead to the arrest of a suspect in a Manatee County murder case remained in a local pawn shop.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Atwater: Taj Mahal courthouse ‘far worse’ than a pricey building
State auditors are questioning more than $1 million in bills submitted for the new $50 million courthouse built by the 1st District Court of Appeal.
Florida Senator Fasano keeping options open for 2012
Redistricting for the 2012 elections kicked into high gear this week as state Senator Mike Fasano begged off from serving on a group that is redrawing boundaries.
2012 campaigns take their first baby steps
We’ve barely hit 2011, and the 2012 political Buzz is already going strong.
Supreme Court case could set stage for Florida juvenile parole system
New proposal in State House would give youth a chance after 25 years into life sentence.
A landmark United States Supreme Court ruling deeming it cruel and unusual punishment to sentence juveniles to life without parole for anything short of murder may give a Jacksonville legislator the push he needs after several failed attempts at system reform.
While Governor Rick Scott was darting around Tallahassee, celebrating with family and friends on the eve of his inauguration, the first big bill to shrink Florida government was filed in the House.
Rothman Named Minnesota Commissioner Of Commerce
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton appointed attorney Mike Rothman as head of the state’s Commerce Department. He will start Jan. 12.
United States Sets Up Consumer Product Safety Office in China
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission will set up its first office outside the United States in China in a bid to reduce the amount of dangerous products reaching the American market.
United States Wants Makers of Chinese Drywall to Fix United States Homes
The top United States product safety official said on Monday the agency has failed to persuade Chinese makers of defective drywall to compensate American homeowners, in a dispute that threatens to mar strained trade ties.
USAA Reworking Wind Coverage Accounts on Mississippi Coast
USAA, a banking and insurance company that caters to military personnel, is dropping wind coverage from its homeowners’ policies in Mississippi’s three coastal counties.
Former Insurance Chief to Head South Carolina Financial Board
South Carolina Governor-elect Nikki Haley announced she will nominate the state’s former insurance director to lead the agency that oversees much of state government operations.
Blog: Insurers tip-toe into coastal markets in Alabama, Mississippi
A handful of new insurers have trickled into the coastal markets of Alabama and Mississippi in the last year, offering new options to some homeowners.
Canopius Launches Swiss Reinsurance Operation; Seeks Omega Deal
Canopius Group Limited, a privately owned Lloyd’s re/insurer, has announced its intention to “extend its international footprint with the establishment of a reinsurance underwriting platform, Canopius Europe, based in Zurich.”
January 2011 Sees Busy First Week For Property & Casualty Brokerage Acquisitions
One might think that the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 could be an indicator that this year could be a busy one from a mergers and acquisitions standpoint, but an executive with Reagan Consulting believes the current rate of activity over the past five weeks will not be sustained.
Private Market Should Insure Both Wind & Flood, American Bankers Association Says
The American Bankers Association is calling for “wholesale” overhaul of the National Flood Insurance Program, including providing incentives for the private market to assume a greater role.
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