Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, March 17

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Lawmakers want to keep up get-tough approach on insurance

Florida’s budget crisis has taken center stage this legislative session. A potential $2 billion budget deficit has pushed the property insurance issue off the radar screen.

 

Michael Peltier: Senate report on insurance hardly harsh

Following a public thrashing of the industry last month, a Senate panel has released a set of recommendations backers say is needed to ensure that property insurance companies aren’t gouging customers.

 

Rubio still considering mayor’s race

At a Tuesday appearance before the Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers, House Speaker Marco Rubio didn’t rule out running for Miami-Dade County Mayor — unless he’s offered the NFL commissioner post.

 

Commission: Cut property tax, raise sales tax for schools

The state Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will ask voters in November to cut one-fourth of Florida’s property tax for schools and make up the revenue with a higher sales tax.

 

Florida Democrats abandon new presidential primary

The Florida Democratic Party has aborted its plan to hold a new presidential primary of any kind, and instead will seek salvation from the same national party leaders who yanked Florida’s votes in the first place.

 

Weather Monitoring Program Helps Officials, Public Prepare For Storms

Last week marked the 15th anniversary of an event that longtime Pasco County residents shouldn’t forget and new ones should find out about.

 

Six insurance policies you should avoid

Everyone should have health insurance, a homeowners’ or renters’ policy and auto coverage. Add life insurance if you have dependents and disability insurance if you’re working; otherwise, keep your wallet closed for the many more types of policies vying for your dollars.

 

Check before you throw away portable battery TV

During hurricanes Andrew and Charley, we were able to keep our sanity and make the right decisions because I had a 13-inch TV that could work off a 12V battery.

 

Editorial:  Keep hospital regulation

Florida’s shortage of physicians and nurses is so severe that patients in need of critical care have been dumped to hospitals in other counties.

 

Houston Home insurance rates rising in May for Farmers customers

Farmers Insurance plans to hike rates an average of 7.9 percent in May for thousands of its Texas customers.

 

Insurers settle air crash suits

Insurance companies have agreed to pay $165 million to settle lawsuits brought by relatives of those killed in a 2000 plane crash in the Philippines, lawyers for the families said.

 

New York Legislature Rejects Hikes in Insurance Law Fines

A series of significant fine increases for violating New York insurance law – proposed by outgoing Gov. Eliot Spitzer – have been rejected by the state legislature, a move that one New York agents’ group called a major victory for Empire State agents.

 

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