Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, Oct. 29

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Florida fight vs. insurers floods nation

TALLAHASSEE – Coastal residents across the nation have a stake in Florida’s ferocious property insurance war, where regulators and the industry are going head-to-head over sky-high home premiums.

 

Auto insurers compete in Florida

To stand out in a crowded market, auto insurers are upping service, tailoring coverage to fit drivers’ needs and working hard to make sure their companies have brand-name recognition.

 

No-fault once seen as solution

The Sunshine State wasn’t always an attractive place to do auto insurance business. In the late 1960s, the auto insurance market in Florida was a wreck.

 

Auto insurers love Florida

Most Floridians are familiar with the mess that is the state’s homeowners insurance market. Rates are sky-high, and it’s hard to find many private insurers offering windstorm coverage. 

 

Crist okays tuition bump

The governor tells leaders they need to create a less-piecemeal approach to education.

State university and community college students will have to pay a little more for school starting in January.

 

Showdown set for property taxes

After an 11-day holdout, the Florida Senate will return to work today to consider one final property tax plan and force one last showdown with the House.

 

Florida, others reach $4.5 million Ace settlement

Florida and eight other states have reached a $4.5 million settlement with Ace (ACE), a Bermuda insurance holding company officials said was involved in a ”pay to play” scandal with other insurance brokers.

 

Is it time for a catastrophic fund yet?
Wildfires. Hurricanes. Earthquakes.As fires raged across Southern California, the disaster made clear a harsh reality: Three of the four largest states – Florida, California and, surprisingly, New York – have trillions of dollars in insured property exposed to natural catastrophe.

 

Red-light cameras a signal for war

Would red-light cameras make South Florida streets safer? The red-light camera rebellion has arrived.

 

Legislature Wears Thin on Public

With state lawmakers trying to finish their fourth special session of the year, it seems the public may be growing a little weary of the incessant lawmaking.

 

Medical-bill errors increasingly common

Don’t assume that your complicated medical bill is correct. Errors on bills for doctors, medical tests or hospitals can result in overcharges that run from a few dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.

 

Candidates want to pick up on Mike Davis’ legacy — affordable housing

Affordable housing and homeowners insurance are issues that have plagued Floridians. In the last few years, these two issues have been among the biggest problems in the state.

 

Variety spices House contest

The District 34 GOP primary winner appears to aggravate the other 3 candidates. The four men vying to replace David Mealor in the Florida House offer a variety of political, fiscal and social views.

 

As Democrats Criticize, Health Care Industry Donates

In a reversal from past election cycles, Democratic candidates for president are outpacing Republicans in donations from the health care industry, even as the leading Democrats in the field offer proposals that have caused deep anxiety in some sectors of the industry, according to campaign finance records.

 

State Dems wrap up convention

LAKE BUENA VISTA – A constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Florida is certain to get on the ballot but will lose at the polls if enough voters become worried about its impact on heterosexual couples, campaign strategists told delegates to the state Democratic Party convention Sunday.

 

Crist employs own style

Sometimes he applies the pressure so subtly, it’s atmospheric – like a slow elevator ride to the top of a tall building.Other times he’s more direct, pounding a lectern and railing against insurance executives for the cameras.

 

Some buildings still vulnerable

Some Broward County buildings are being upgraded in case a hurricane strikes again. But other county facilities remain vulnerable.

 

Tax-cut plan threatens to scorch fire-rescue budget

State lawmakers may strip millions from Orange County’s already-strapped fire department.

 

Weaknesses With Medicaid Reform Portend No Expansion

Across the country states have tried to come up with ways to hold down the cost of Medicaid, and no reform program initially showed greater promise than the Florida effort advanced by Jeb Bush.

 

La. flood projects fall behind

Dozens of construction projects launched by the Army Corps of Engineers to protect the New Orleans region from the most catastrophic floods are behind schedule by an average of nearly eight months, an internal audit shows.

 

Homeland Security strikes deal with New York on driver’s licenses

The Bush administration and New York agreed Saturday on a compromise creating a more secure driver’s license for U.S. citizens and allowing illegal immigrants to get a version.

 

State Farm gives $1.5M to stop dropouts

JACKSON, Miss. –State Farm Insurance Cos. has given $1.5 million to Mississippi’s dropout prevention project for a public awareness campaign that kicks off in January.

 

Where do you stand?

The idea strikes more fear into some builders and businessmen than hurricane insurance premiums, runaway tax rates and a housing bubble combined.