Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, March 31

 

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Legislators eye Citizens’ surplus

Citizens’ surplus could be tapped to fund a capital build-up program for start-up insurers despite concern about Citzens’ exposure to possible large storm claims.

Money earmarked to pay future insurance claims could end up funding a program to provide additional capital for start-up and newer insurance firms.

EDITORIAL: Let Citizens keep money; keep premiums frozen

If the Legislature doesn’t let Citizens Property Insurance Corp. raise rates, the Legislature shouldn’t take money from Citizens.

Lawmakers turn attention to insurance

Senate plan would cap rates, but accord may be hard to reach

While Florida lawmakers have eagerly embraced plans to slash property taxes,, the House and Senate may have more difficulty finding agreement on another major cost dragging down the state’s real estate market: property insurance.

Climate is a tough one for the industry in Florida

As credit rating service Fitch Ratings claimed the homeowners insurance market in Florida is so unstable that it would “collapse” if a major storm hits the state in 2008, state insurance regulators presented legislators with some facts and figures about insurance in the state.

EDITORIAL: Extend lifeline to windstorm victims

Bills in Congress Would Help Florida Policy Holders

The rainstorms inundating parts of the Midwest are a reminder that floods — like hurricanes — are recurring natural disasters that create misery in parts of this country year after year.

State budget shortfall dictating choices

Cuts replace bills requiring money

With four weeks gone in Florida’s legislative session and four weeks to go, little in the way of meaningful legislation has made its way into law. And it could stay that way.

OPINION: Don’t trust this gang with our state’s future

The panel of wizards assigned to fix Florida’s gross tax inequities has impulsively broadened its scope to a social issue in which its expertise is even more dubious.

Florida businesses object to plan for property tax cuts

Critics say plan will hit store sales

Florida’s business lobby has launched a campaign to torpedo the plan for additional property tax relief that the state’s powerful tax commission plans to submit to voters in November.

GOP lawmaker Don Gaetz is rising fast as a state Senate leader

It’s a school day in Rugby, N.D., but 16-year-old Don Gaetz is playing hooky to watch television coverage of his father, a candidate for lieutenant governor, at the 1964 state Republican convention.

Google, hurricane center create storm surge maps

Those storm surge maps found in telephone books soon might be relics of hurricanes past.

The National Hurricane Center and Google Earth are joining to create a free Web-based program that allows computer-users to zoom into street-level storm surge maps.

Florida voters to decide whether to grant tax relief to waterfront businesses

Port Salerno businessman Art Cox has seen property taxes rise 35 percent since 2004 on his waterfront business.

New Crane Rules Go into Effect Days After Fatal Florida Accident

A new ordinance that beefs up safety measures for cranes is in effect in Miami, Fla., days after a fatal accident.

Health insurance gets a closer look in Florida

Some cases seem to be ridiculous, but insurance companies want limits

Florida’s 3.8 million residents without health Insurance could have the option to purchase state-approved coverage from private insurers at almost half the cost, under a plan advocated by Gov. Charlie Crist.

Proposal to monitor prescriptions stuck in Florida Legislature

There is a bill in the state Legislature this year that would save more lives than any other proposal currently before lawmakers, Dr. Rafael Miguel says.

‘Children’s week’ begins at Capitol

Annual ‘hanging of the hands’ serves as reminder that budget cuts affect children

Despite the threat of budget cuts to education and health services, volunteers merrily festooned the Capitol rotunda with thousands of tiny handprints and other children’s artwork Sunday in hopes of reminding state lawmakers how the budget they are crafting will affect kids.

Guard gets its day at Capitol

Florida National Guard Spec. Julian Hernandez has served alongside the Army for more than a year in Iraq, stood guard at the Fort Lauderdale airport and helped in hurricane relief.

Slots pros, cons round political turn in U.S. race

Although it’s a matter before the state legislature and not a federal issue, Republican congressional hopeful Hal Valeche weighed in last week against a proposal to add video slot machines to the dog racing and other parimutuel wagering at the Palm Beach Kennel Club.

EDITORIAL: Florida lawmakers take time to apologize for slavery

ISSUE: Lawmakers apologize for slavery.

The Florida Legislature didn’t have to do it.

Girl Scouts prepare for natural disasters

Program Presented by State Agency

On Saturday the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida will travel from all over Southwest Florida to take part in a Natural Disaster Preparedness and Recovery program presented by Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Department of Financial Services (DFS).

Public Adjusters Seek Katrina Suit Reinstatement

Lawyers for a group of public adjusters who worked in Louisiana handling wind-vs.-water claims caused by Hurricane Katrina are asking a federal appeals court to reinstate their suit for damages under the federal whistleblowers law.

South La. Lawmakers Seek Rate Cut for Citizens Policyholders

South Louisiana lawmakers are pushing to give some homeowners a 10 percent break on their property insurance, though the legislation faces firm opposition from state Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.

Louisiana eyes water wells for Katrina damage

Long-delayed effort aims to find damage caused by 2005 hurricanes

The state Department of Natural Resources is launching a program to inspect as many as 4,000 water wells for possible damage from the 2005 hurricanes.

NAIC Releases 2007 Annual Report

State-Based Insurance Regulation: Built to Last

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) today released its 2007 Annual Report, “State Regulation: Built to Last.”

Strategic Buyers Reemerge In Pursuit Of Specialty Program Deals

Credit crisis slows private equity shoppers, but soft market spurs M&As

Program administrators are continuing to attract strategic buyers eyeing the financial benefits of adding niche businesses and focused coverage specialists to their operations in a soft cycle—but the profile of the typical buyer is changing, according to deal advisers, as interest from private equity firms fades in light of deteriorating financial market conditions.

Thrill-seeking travelers: Check your insurance

Speeding high over the Costa Rican jungle on a zip line sounded like a thrilling way for Jerry Shirley of Denver to see the lush tropical terrain around the coastal town of Jaco.

Pool contractor is in hot water

Customers say Armando Calleja pocketed money for pool materials

Four Brevard County customers have taken the rare act of pursuing criminal charges against their pool contractor, Armando Calleja, the former owner of the defunct Nautica Pool and Spa.

Scrap metal thieves find new sources for cash

Thieves take AC units, shutters — even cemetery vases

In the 30 years Harold Solomon has been in the scrap-metal recycling business, he’s seen people truck in stolen parts when the prices of metals rise and the economy falls into a recession.

SERFF Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary

The System for Electronic Rate and Form Filings (SERFF) is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

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