Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, May 12

 

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Gaetz pushes homeowner ‘bill of rights’

Here is a newsletter from state Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville: The Homeowners Bill of Rights (Senate Bills 2860 and 1196) grew out of a series of hearings conducted this year by the Senate Select Committee on Property Insurance Accountability.

Rep. Ross Pushes for ‘Cultural Changes’

Rep. Dennis Ross, punished last year for opposing the governor’s attempt to fix problems with high property insurance rates in Florida, was restored to a position of influence this year and asked to be the House’s chief negotiator with the Senate.

Florida Legislature delivered little on insurance

Last winter was the meanest season the Florida property insurance industry has ever faced.

Hurricane season preparations begin: Pros gather in Fort Lauderdale

Rescue workers, government officials, forecasters hope to stir state into action

When more than 2,500 emergency managers, rescue workers and government officials descend on Fort Lauderdale this week, they won’t be spending much time at the beach.

Storm shelters gaining power

As hurricane season neared last year, state agencies were in chaos trying to implement key elements of a 2006 state law aimed at better preparation of special shelters and gas stations for big storms.

Insurance experts: Gov. Crist’s plan may be of limited value

Don’t expect miracles from Crist’s new plan to cover the uninsured.

Insurance experts said the Cover Florida program passed by the Legislature last week will offer low-cost, bare-bones medical policies to the 3.8 million people without coverage, but the plans will not be out until next year and even then may be of limited value.

COLUMN: Legislators investing in seniors’ well-being

Insurance agents who sell annuities will have a tougher time scamming old folks thanks to a bill just passed by Florida lawmakers.

Forced to cut state spending by more than $4 billion, legislators called this the worst budget year ever.

But as they assemble for the new term next fall, they may look back on their just-concluded 2008 session as the good old days.

As lawmakers were passing the pared-down $66.2 billion state spending plan that kicks in July 1 and packing up to go home early this month, the House and Senate got more dismal numbers.

Leaving Tallahassee

House Speaker Marco Rubio (R-West Miami) Florida’s first Cuban-American Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Rubio, 36, led his chamber with energy.

Exiting lawmakers diminishing South Florida’s legislative clout

This was supposed to be a golden era for South Florida, an unprecedented four-year period of political power where lawmakers with ties to Miami-Dade and Broward counties — and the clout to bring the area money and push for local priorities — were firmly in charge of the Florida Legislature.

EDITORIAL: Lawmakers failed on red-light cameras, but locals should still move ahead

The Florida Legislature once again shamelessly stumbled on the issue of red-light cameras.

Confusing ballot designs still plague elections

The solution should have been a no-brainer, voting experts say.

A closer look at Florida Nov. 4 ballot’s proposed amendments

Further banning gay marriage in the state, swapping property taxes with a sales tax to pay for schools and overturning a 19th century prohibition on using tax dollars to fund religious activities will be among nine issues asked of Florida voters this November.

Commuter Rail Still Pursued

In the days after the collapse of the state’s $649 million deal with CSX Transportation, both supporters and opponents said the same thing: The goal of creating a commuter rail system in Florida is still alive.

Senate Rejects Adding Wind Coverage to Flood Insurance Program, 73-19

The U.S. Senate last week officially rejected a bid by Gulf state senators to add wind coverage to a financially strapped federal program that provides flood insurance.

COLUMN: Congress doesn’t warm up to national disaster insurance

Talk about taking the wind out of your sails.

GOP would ease offshore drilling limits

Coming soon to the U.S. Senate: another sequel to the epic clash over oil and gas drilling off America’s shores.

Army Corps says Condition of many levees a mystery

Across America, earthen flood levees protect big cities and small towns, wealthy suburbs and rich farmland.

Insurance model follows American tradition

Call it Obamacare or call it Clintoncare.

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