Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, March 16
Mar 16, 2009
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It’s that bad: Florida will fall another $2.4 billion short
House majority leader: Crist’s plan is ‘no longer a viable option.’
Economic forecasters sliced $2.4 billion from the state’s expected tax income for the coming fiscal year, bringing lawmakers closer to a precise number for the budget hole they have to fill even as the new projections set off a political skirmish about how to balance the spending plan.
Crist, Legislature retreat from criticism of insurance rate hikes
The Legislature has another major headache beside a revenue shortfall on its hands during its 2009 regular session: Lawmakers are coming to more fully understand the enormity of the financial hole they and Gov. Charlie Crist have been digging for Florida taxpayers as they have tried to “protect” them from rate increases from “greedy” insurance companies.
Ex-House Insurance Panel Chief: Where is money for claims under state’s ‘reforms’?
Amid all the political rhetoric over State Farm’s decision to leave the Florida property insurance market, the basic math on Gov. Crist’s insurance reform “plan” seems to be unraveling and leading to higher costs than would have been the case had no reforms been implemented in 2007 and beyond.
Insurance industry remains vital
Job prospecting within the insurance industry is growing year by year while unemployment continues to soar mostly everywhere else in the private sector; as more people lose their jobs, more people are turning to insurance brokers to purchase inexpensive policies to last them until they return to work.
Public’s storm response analyzed
National weather forecasting officials say they’re trying to learn from how the public responds to severe weather warnings.
Florida‘s go-to man ready to lead FEMA
Craig Fugate’s next rescue mission will be his biggest yet.
Health-care clinics for government workers may save time, money
Florida school districts, faced with crushing health-care costs, are ready to try a new course of treatment for their employees, bringing in their own doctors and opening their own primary-care clinics; government agencies statewide are considering doing the same.
Fewer flood zones mean savings in Cape Coral
Cape Coral policy holders save more than $4.5 million a year in total flood insurance premiums because of the city’s good ratings under a federal program.
Budget may force overtime session
Legislators are contemplating an unappetizing prospect: The Legislature might not reach a budget deal by the scheduled May 1 adjournment, potentially forcing a rare overtime session to get the job done.
Galvano at fulcrum of budget debate
As the chairman of a legislative committee reviewing the state’s agreement on gambling with the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida, Bradenton’s Rep. Bill Galvano plays a crucial role in this year’s budget debate.
Florida House Speaker’s action stirs up Miami-Dade
Cretul faces reaction after stripping a powerful Miami Republican of a committee chairmanship.
Rep. Larry Cretul has heard the jokes about his accidental status as speaker of the Florida House, but with a single act last week, he left no doubt who is in charge.
Dozens of bills before Legislature this session seek to close access to various records
As Florida newspapers call attention to laws that guarantee access to public records and government meetings, lawmakers are considering dozens of bills to block information now available to citizens.
Foundation targets proliferation of ‘shell bills’
The First Amendment Foundation is complaining of a proliferation of “shell bills” in the Florida Senate this year, legislation that expresses some vague intent but serves as a placeholder that can pop up suddenly without time for public review.
Special interests funnel $6 million to Florida lawmakers
In the latest election cycle, dozens of Florida legislators raked in $6 million in special-interest campaign money and spent a good deal of it on themselves for meals, rental cars, plane trips and hotels.
New fees raise cost of driving in Florida
A growth in toll lanes and increasing fees and fines help strapped governments raise cash
In car-obsessed South Florida, the road to happiness is paved.
Legislators hope to get project linking I-95, I-10 going
One of the largest planned construction projects in Northeast Florida may finally be getting back on track.
Florida was hit hard by recession, but its cut is among lowest
There is growing concern that Florida is not receiving its fair share of the federal stimulus funds targeted to revive the U.S. economy.
Florida‘s U.S. Rep. Meek scores big union nods
Big Labor is picking sides early in the race to replace Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), as Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) won a nod from another top union on Saturday.
Bill Cotterell: Decades of experience give Lawson his muscle
Legislators generally gain knowledge and power as they build seniority, like in any other line of work, and that’s particularly true of the very few folks around the Capitol who were there before term limits.
Central Florida‘s plan for growth remains in focus
Amid the housing boom, our region of Florida concocted a far-reaching vision.
Bill would put new requirements on Florida homeowners associations
You’ve probably heard the horror stories about homeowners associations — like the ex-Marine in Jupiter who fought a four-year battle with his association because he wanted to fly an American flag in his yard.
It’s no time to rest for time-share industry in Florida Legislature
Florida’s time-share industry is close to scoring a victory in the state Capitol that would shield some of its business from county resort taxes.
Florida film industry losing ground to states with better tax incentives
Production tax incentives rising elsewhere while Legislature struggles with budget
The USA Network series Burn Notice began shooting its third season in South Florida last week, prompting a rush of business at ARRI CSC, which rents professional motion picture cameras to the production.
NAIC releases 2008 annual report
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) today released its 2008 Annual Report, “Navigating Change.” The report provides a comprehensive review of the NAIC’s progress during the past year, summarizing how state insurance regulators have charted a steady course amidst a year of economic turmoil and uncertainty.
Consumers Tell Regulators To Reveal More Insurer Details On Web Site
Insurance department Web sites should gear consumer education efforts toward detailed information about individual insurer practices instead of providing only definitions of coverages, a consumer advocate told regulators.
SEC OKs CME, Citadel partnership to clear credit default swaps
A partnership between the CME Group and Citadel Investment Group to clear credit default swaps was approved Friday by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Madoff Fallout For Liability Insurers Could Hit $1.8 Billion, Broker Warns
With the prospect of nearly $2 billion in professional liability claim payments looming from the litigation fallout of a Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Bernard Madoff, directors and officers insurers were eager to pinpoint potential sources of exposure during a recent industry gathering.
Ticket’s in the mail: Red-light cameras questioned
Minutes after Neel Manglik illegally turned right on a red light in the Des Moines suburb of Clive, a video popped up on a computer at an office park outside Scottsdale, Ariz.
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