Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, November 8
Nov 8, 2010
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Florida Office of Insurance Regulation Approves Three More Reinsurers
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has signed agreements with three Bermuda-based reinsurers to participate in Florida’s insurance marketplace under modified regulatory terms.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Florida Appeals Court Looks at Public Adjuster Law
A state appeals court on Tuesday will examine whether a 2008 law requiring public adjusters to wait to solicit and aid policyholders until 48 hours after a major loss is constitutional.
Chairman Says Homeowners Choice Has Ample Capital for Citizens Take-Out
Florida-based Homeowners Choice Property & Casualty Insurance will assume 10,000 homeowners policies from the state-run insurer, Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
Construction slowdown has little impact on insurance premiums
The cost of rebuilding homes in Florida dropped about 5 percent from 2009 to the first half of 2010, but you’d never know it from your property insurance bill.
Sinkhole concerns keep Tampa condo residents from homes
It’s been four months since a 25-foot wide, 40-foot deep sinkhole opened at the foot of the Bordeaux Village condominium building forcing a dozen families out of their homes. They still aren’t allowed back in the building because of safety concerns.
Naples leaders look to collect delinquent taxes from insurance companies
The city of Naples is cracking down on insurance companies.
Guarantee Insurance grows at Las Olas City Centre
Guarantee Insurance is expanding its business in downtown Fort Lauderdale, adding people and office space.
McCahill Announces Retirement from St. James Insurance Group and St. Johns Insurance Company
Jim McCahill has announced his retirement from active duty with St. James Insurance Group and St. Johns Insurance Co.
Five years ago, Hurricane Wilma struck our condo. Would you believe we are still trying to collect the rest of the insurance for the Wilma-damaged property from the first layer of five insurance companies that cover us for $90 million?
Cancer probe ends in The Acreage with no cause identified
The state probe into what might have caused a cancer cluster in The Acreage is over – with no cause found.
Florida Republicans already pitching Medicaid overhaul
Republican state Senate leaders want to revamp Medicaid by limiting lawsuits and getting patients into managed care
The wheels are already turning in a legislative plan to craft a Medicaid revamp that would include major limits on lawsuits, something that is firmly in line with Governor-Elect Rick Scott’s proposed plan to make it more difficult for patients to sue doctors.
Florida Legislature to put the executive branch on shorter leash during special session
We have a lot of laws in this state. But the government also has a lot of rules that Floridians have to obey.
- Key environmental issues to be reconsidered during special session
- Governor-elect Rick Scott’s agenda: smaller, limited government
- The New York Times: In Florida, a C.E.O. Prepared for Cuts
- Editorial: An unneeded session
- Florida’s new governor may face culture shock
- How far will GOP take its power?
With Tuesday’s elections fulfilling incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos’ goal of a more conservative Florida Senate, it appears political moderation in the state is out the window for the next two years.
Redistricting a setback for Florida GOP
Amendments 5, 6 will keep gerrymandering down
Florida Republicans enjoyed a near total sweep on Election Day, winning the governor’s mansion, all three Cabinet posts and veto-proof majorities in the state House and Senate.
106,000 jobless Floridians face benefit loss
The clock is ticking for about 106,000 unemployed Floridians.
Florida for-profit colleges facing lawsuits
As the state and federal governments investigate for-profit colleges, the industry is being hit with a series of lawsuits by former students and employees, including in South Florida.
Florida officials optimistic about funds for Jacksonville-Miami Amtrak route
State and local officials remain optimistic about prospects of getting an Amtrak train route established along Florida’s East Coast despite being passed over for federal funding a second time.
Sink rips ‘tone-deaf’ White House
Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink pointed an accusatory finger Friday at what she called a “tone-deaf” Obama White House to explain why she narrowly lost her campaign.
Florida Senator-elect Rubio urges bold ideas in national radio address
Florida Sen.-elect Marco Rubio said in a national radio address Saturday that Republicans must pursue bold ideas like simplifying the tax code and reducing the national debt, and have the courage to fight for them.
Column: Crist’s Star Dims as LeMieux’s Brightens
Gov. Charlie Crist so trusted his friend and advisor George LeMieux that when U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez resigned to return home to Orlando, Crist appointed LeMieux to fill out the last year and a half of his term. He was seen as sort of a placeholder until Crist could win the seat in 2010.
Crist contemplating posthumously pardoning Jim Morrison
Strange days may have found Gov. Charlie Crist.
West told CNN he’s “absolutely” going to join the overwhelmingly Democratic Congressional Black Caucus.
Election Results Could Increase Chances Of Long-Term National Flood Insurance Program Extension
The chances that the National Flood Insurance Program will be reauthorized for a long period by the next Congress have risen considerably through the Republican takeover of the House, according to industry officials and outside analysts.
Texas Supreme Court Decides Open Beaches Act Case
In a pivotal decision that will attract the attention of property rights groups and open beach advocates across the country, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the Open Beaches Act doesn’t allow the state to condemn private property if a hurricane or other natural disaster moves it within the public section of a beach.
California Approves Amendments to Privacy Regulations
In what’s being called “a major victory for insurance agents and brokers,” the California Office of Administrative Law has approved Department of Insurance plans to repeal certain portions of its privacy regulations.
Chinese Drywall May Still Be Cause of Fort Bragg Infant Deaths
Although Fort Bragg officials found no link between Chinese drywall and the deaths of 10 infants in four years on the base, the possibility of such a link remains the focus of a federal investigation, reports WTVD.
Industry Should Not Be Subject To New Systemic Risk Rules, American Insurance Association Says
Property and casualty insurance companies do not pose a systemic risk to the U.S. financial system and should not be subject to federal supervision, the American Insurance Association said in a comment letter to the Financial Stability Oversight Council.
Former Cooper Gay CEO Summers to join Guy Carpenter
Jim Summers will join Guy Carpenter & Co. L.L.C. as global head of marine and energy specialty, effective May 2011.
Current Property/Casualty Market May Be The ‘New Normal,’ MarketScout Exec Says
With U.S. property and casualty insurance rates falling 4 percent in October 2010, the industry may be experiencing a “new normal” in terms of market conditions, according to an executive.
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