Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, June 16
Jun 16, 2008
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Poe’s past failure no deal killer
The failure of three Poe Financial Group insurance companies after the hurricanes of 2004-05 marked the largest insurance insolvency in Florida history. The total bill Florida homeowners must pay to cover unpaid Poe claims stands at $790-million and is still rising.
Insurance reformer is used to legislative storms
Bill Posey learned about the insurance industry the hard way — by regulating it.
Condo law change gives emergency power to directors
Some lobbyists and organizations are publicly touting their efforts to improve condominium law in the past legislative session, placing more power in the hands of condo leaders.
COLUMN: Olympus rates may have hit their peak
Orlando-based Olympus Insurance says some of its rates have been too high.
Insurance Rule Puts FSU In A Class Of 1
The freshman class at Florida State University is expected to get smaller this fall, but one statistic is expected to grow: those seeking health care coverage from the university.
Keys officials and some upset customers turned out Thursday for a forum on windstorm insurance by Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Keys’ reefs recovering after back-to-back hurricanes
Before six hurricanes hit mainland Florida in 2004 and 2005, they first wreaked havoc on the Florida Keys’ far western islands known as the Dry Tortugas.
Forcefield Hurricane introduces new mobile showrooms
Port Charlotte-based Forcefield Hurricane recently announced the official introduction of its Hurricane Defense Vehicle – HDV Mobile Showrooms.
COLUMN: Sanborn Maps Offer Graphic Details Of Past
I recently read a report by the executor of the estate of a man who died in 1872. It surprised me when I saw an entry for $28.13 paid in 1873 for “insurance on house.” Why had I thought of home insurance as a modern-day thing?
Don’t forget important business matters this storm season
Longtime Floridians know the drill. Stock up on nonperishable food and bottled water, double-check the windows and doors, and make sure the generator works. But because weather scientists predict a busy hurricane season this year, you’ll want to be well-prepared. Here are a few things you might not have on your list.
OPINION: To shutter or not to shutter — that is the question
Once more, statisticians have projected that this hurricane season will be more severe. This has been their projection for the last three years. They were wrong.
Your hurricane evacuation plans should include your pets
Thousands of animals died and countless pet owners refused to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina, showing the catastrophic effects of failing to include animals in disaster plans.
Could you live on $275 a week? That’s Florida’s maximum unemployment benefit
Florida ranks as one of the lowest-paying states in the nation in what it pays unemployed workers.
COLUMN: FEMA hurricane plan put on ice
It’s not the federal government’s job to keep your beer and pork chops cold after a hurricane.
EDITORIAL: Ease the flood of misery
Iowa meteorologists are running out of hyperboles to describe the horrible weather that has devastated their state.
Bill that may have helped Rubio’s friend vetoed
Gov. Charlie Crist this past weekend vetoed a measure that could have helped a friend of House Speaker Marco Rubio bid on a major contract for Florida’s Turnpike. But in doing so, he also nixed a fee hike that was going to pay for raises for Highway Patrol troopers.
COLUMN: Report cards arrive for lawmakers
How supportive is your local lawmaker of the business community?
The Florida Chamber of Commerce on Friday released its grades for legislators, and the chamber feels the class has fallen behind a bit. The total number of lawmakers who earned an A dropped to 52 percent from 62 percent last year.
U.S. Senator Nelson looks to end Electoral College
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida, has introduced an election reform package that calls for abolishing the Electoral College and setting up regional, rotating presidential primaries.
EDITORIAL: Florida can’t cut itself to prosperity
Gov. Charlie Crist is being less than candid with Floridians in handling the state budget crisis.
Gov. Crist’s fundraisers keep money flowing
If only Gov. Charlie Crist could fundraise his way out of Florida’s budget doldrums. The so-called campaigner-in-chief unearthed $1.5 million last week for Florida Republicans at the party’s victory dinner at Walt Disney World, then spent part of the weekend on a westward search for more GOP gold mines.
EDITORIAL: Crist should veto bill that allows projects to escape key review
There’s no question that Florida’s struggling service-based economy needs to diversify. And that few industries will help it attract better-paying jobs capable of rejuvenating it than biotechnology.
EDITORIAL: Misleading ballot proposals
Panel’s voucher plans get deserved legal challenge
The Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which wrapped up its work last month, did a shoddy job of carrying out its mission to examine the state’s fiscal structure.
EDITORIAL: Adjust state’s priorities to the post-bubble world
Before the Legislature began work in March, House Speaker Marco Rubio, R-West Miami, said Florida faces “an affordability crisis.” It’s new, and it’s serious.
OPINION: Create nonnuclear energy plan
The U.S. Senate recently debated the Climate Security Act known as the Lieberman-Warner bill, which seeks carbon-emissions reduction legislation to address global warming. Because of conflicts over subsidizing the nuclear-power industry, the bill is dead. Now we need to send a clear message to Gov. Charlie Crist: Let’s not subsidize or promote nuclear power in Florida.
New York and German Regulators Sign Insurance Pact
Insurance officials in New York and Germany have inked a deal to work together and more closely share regulatory information.
Regulators Offer Qualified Support For Proposed U.S. Insurance Info Office
Legislation that would establish a federal Office of Insurance Information has won the qualified support of state insurance regulators, but state legislators raised a number of concerns at a Capitol Hill hearing last week.
Agent Group Calls For Push To Expand Producer Registry
A leading insurance agents group is urging that work on a nearly completed electronic licensing system for agents be finished as visible proof that state regulation works.
Auto Insurer Progressive To Allow Customers To Name Price
Progressive Corp. (PGR), locked in a battle for drivers’ insurance business, unveiled a more graphical way to compare premiums and insurance coverage on its web site.
 
New A.I.G. Chief Plans to Reach Out to Investors
The new chief executive of American International Group, the giant insurance company, promised on Monday to review all of A.I.G.s businesses before meeting with investors, probably after Labor Day.
Private Firms Take Homeowners Policies From Louisiana Citizens
Private insurers are taking more than 26,000 homeowners policies from Louisiana’s state-backed insurance company in return for millions in taxpayer money, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said.
Update: 2 Insurers to Pick up State Farm’s Non-renewals
Nationwide and Allstate will insure homes along the Mississippi coast where the current insurer decided not to renew policies, officials said.
New York City Facing $497 Million in Claims from Crane Mishap
New York City has received more than $497 million of claims for personal injury, property damage and wrongful death due to a construction crane collapse on Manhattan’s East Side on March 15, the city comptroller said on Friday.
Top Bermuda Players Split Over Wisdom Of Adopting Single Excess Policy Form
Would adoption of a single policy form for multicarrier, excess liability coverage give Bermuda a competitive advantage, or commoditize the product and dilute the value individual insurers bring to the table?
Canadian Allstate Agents Sue Over Contract Change
Three Allstate agents in Canada have filed a prospective class-action suit against the Northbrook, Ill.-based carrier claiming changes the company made in their contracts stripped them and other agents of their business and closed half its Canadian offices.