Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, October 18
Oct 18, 2010
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Column: Knauf drywall deal doesn’t take care of everyone yet
As the first large-scale pilot program to remediate homes with contaminated Chinese drywall manufactured by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd. begins, the stated goal sought by all sides is to expand the program from the initial 300 properties into a global settlement to cover all U.S. homes that contain the company’s drywall.
- Courts negotiate Chinese drywall repairs for two Port St. Lucie homes
- Drywall repairs mean jobs for SW Florida contractors
Four admit to role in Florida scheme allegedly involving Zurich adjuster
Four people pleaded guilty for their roles in an insurance fraud scheme where a Florida insurance adjuster working for Zurich Insurance Group would allegedly split proceeds from false claims he filed on them.
Florida Man Gets $650K for Strip Club Injury
A South Florida attorney says his client will get $650,000 after a dancer’s platform shoe shattered his eye socket at a strip club.
Early voting starts Monday in Florida
Early voters can now cast ballots across Florida for the general election.
Blog: Bank of America — Foreclosures start again next week in Florida, other states
Bank of America says it plans to re-start the foreclosure process in Florida and the 22 other states in which foreclosures are done in a court process.
Head of state buildings pushes back on ‘Taj Mahal’ courthouse
Linda South, head of the state agency responsible for construction of state buildings, held her tongue last week after Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos called for her head.
Five years since Florida enacted “stand-your-ground” law, justifiable homicides are up
Two men meet at a park one Sunday afternoon in September. One is playing basketball with his daughter. The other has a gun tucked in his pants.
U.S. Congressman John Mica ready to take powerful gavel of Transportation chairmanship
If GOP wins the House, he’ll have a chance to be head of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
State pays $180 million in fees, gets little from long-term investment
When an investment in the state’s public pension dips in value, Florida’s money managers say it’s unfair to judge investment funds over the short term.
New York Stock Exchange warns Florida’s BankAtlantic
As if a class action trial isn’t enough to deal with, BankAtlantic Bancorp said Friday it has been notified by the New York Stock Exchange that its low stock price could make it subject to delisting.
Giuliani Backs Rubio For Senate Seat
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani rallied behind fellow Republican Marco Rubio as the Senate candidate campaigns throughout Florida with more than two weeks left until election day.
Critics question NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden’s focus on NASA’s new ‘vision’
A new NASA vision signed into law a week ago gives the agency four months or less to develop a dozen different plans for the future, including a detailed report on how it would replace the retiring space shuttle.
Blog: BBC News scrutinizes Allen West’s ties to Outlaws motorcycle club
The Friday report generated a flurry of reaction and counter-reaction from both sides. The West campaign alleged NBC particpated in a “political hatchet job by the liberal mainstream media.”
Rick Scott lived in public housing 3 years, records show
Governor candidate’s claim is intended to soften image, analysts say
Rick Scott tells a rags-to-riches story of coming from humble roots to become a multimillionaire and the Republican candidate for governor of Florida.
No regrets from Crist about his Senate bid or former GOP chairman Jim Greer
Charlie Crist has taken a lot of criticism for having long stood by his good friend, former state GOP chairman Jim Greer, now accused of looting state party money and facing criminal charges of fraud and money laundering.
Alex Sink’s campaign marked by moderation
She sees discipline and focus as key to running state
With a million Floridians out of work and the electorate demanding action, Alex Sink held a news conference earlier this year, touting her Cabinet agency’s efforts to curb the use of office supplies and cell phones.
Rick Scott, Alex Sink quiet on issues key to North Floridians
Both want the ports to thrive, but neither provided many details
In ads, on their websites and in their campaign speeches, Rick Scott, the Republican nominee for governor, and Alex Sink, the Democratic candidate, tout how their agendas would work for the state of Florida – at least, when they’re not trading shots about the other’s record.
Gelber presses Bondi to answer questions in only televised attorney general debate
Republican Pam Bondi and Democrat Dan Gelber clashed on a wide variety of issues Saturday in a spirited debate between the leading candidates for Florida attorney general.
Race for Florida CFO gets little attention
Although Florida’s next chief financial officer will take charge during one of the rockiest times in the state’s financial history, the race has received little attention amid higher-profile races for the U.S. Senate and governor.
Ex-news anchor faces uphill battle to unseat GOP’s Thrasher
The bad economy and frustration with Washington have created impetus for Republicans looking to take back control of Congress.
Political novices fight for District 1 Florida House seat
Broxson, Venditto strive to reduce big government control
Sign-snatching and drug charges were big distractions from the issues in the crowded primary race for the District 1 Florida House of Representatives seat.
Voter’s Guide: Florida state amendments
Six changes to the Florida Constitution and one non-binding resolution are on the ballot for voters on Nov. 2, and four of them have hit hot buttons.
FPL will reopen Barley Barber Swamp
Floridians will once again be able to walk through a marsh of some of the country’s largest Bald Cypress trees and catch a glimpse of red-shouldered hawks, barred owls, woodpeckers, turtles, bald eagles and other wildlife.
Insurers Urge State Regulators to Focus on Streamlining Regulation
The American Insurance Association wants state regulators to emphasize regulatory “effectiveness and efficiency” at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ fall meeting in Orlando, Florida this week.
Debate Continues Over Homeowners Policy Transparency
A professor of contract law promises to bring his plea for greater homeowners insurance policy transparency before a committee of regulators this week-and he is taking his battle to the insurance media as well.
Texas Judge: No release of Texas Windstorm Insurance Association Ike settlement information
A state district judge has recently ruled to continue keeping the lid on information related to a huge Texas Windstorm Insurance Association settlement.
Elections Could Mean Heavy Turnover For Insurance Commissioners
Up to 17 new insurance commissioners could take office as a result of the Nov. 3 elections, several state legislators cautioned Sunday at a meeting held in conjunction with the American Council of Life Insurers’ annual meeting in Baltimore.
Maine Court: Injury en Route to Workers’ Comp Hearing Not Covered
Maine’s supreme court says a workers’ compensation beneficiary isn’t eligible for additional benefits for a car crash that happened en route to a mediation meeting.
Indemnity and medical severity for workers compensation claims continued to rise in 2009, but the frequency of such claims continued to decline, according to NCCI Holdings Inc.
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