Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, October 26
Oct 26, 2009
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Florida Homeowners Rates Would Require 94% Increase for Actuarial Soundness, Study Says
The homeowners insurance industry could be in crisis over the next decade if regulators and lawmakers do not allow insurers to charge actuarially sound rates for the business.
State Senator Mike Fasano: Floridians have choice in sinkhole coverage
I disagree with your claim that ‘property owners in sinkhole-prone Pasco and Hernando counties are getting shafted by the governor and the Legislature.’
Report: Southeast States, Miami-Dade County Among Most Exposed to Climate Change Impact
Poverty and climate hazards make the southeast United States the country’s most vulnerable area to climate change impact, Oxfam America said.
Bradford County Flood map updates could affect many
Thousands of letters have been mailed to Bradford County property owners regarding changes in flood maps that could impact their insurance or development plans.
Blaze that destroyed Pinellas apartment building raises county fire hydrant concerns again
A large blaze that broke out in an apartment complex before dawn and destroyed an entire building Friday revived questions about Lealman’s fire hydrant system.
Many in the dark about Space Coast radio alerts
When the next hurricane threatens the Space Coast, emergency officials will issue geographically tailored digital warnings about hazards, evacuations and other life-saving information.
Aftermath of Hurricane Wilma: Vision to change Immokalee farmworkers’ lives was erased
In 1998, Dick and Florence Nogaj came to Immokalee with a vision to change how farmworkers live.
Photos: Four years after Hurricane Wilma hit, Naples condo repairs nearly completed
Four years ago, Hurricane Wilma blew the walls off the 21-story Park Shore Tower on Gulfshore Boulevard.
Hurricane Wilma victim has been waiting for FEMA help for years, but does he really want it?
John King says he’s been waiting. Ever since Hurricane Wilma smashed his mobile home near Lake Park four years ago today, he has waited for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give him the new one he says he was promised.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Approves Seventh Consecutive Rate
Decrease for Workers’ Compensation
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today issued a final order approving the National Council on Compensation Insurance’s amended rate filing for workers’ compensation insurance rates that will become effective Jan. 1.
Why do Orlando’s most-dangerous intersections lack cameras?
The city of Orlando hasn’t hesitated to install cameras to catch drivers who run red lights. Seven have been up for nearly a year, and commissioners voted last week to install five more, all in the name of preventing accidents and saving lives.
Small businesses in Florida get help with insurance premiums
A public-private partnership led by the University of Central Florida aims to help Floridians secure more affordable health insurance through the small businesses that hire them.
Three more Florida banks fail, pushing total this year to 9
Bank regulators on Friday closed three banks in Florida, pushing the number of state bank failures in 2009 to nine and the total number of nationwide failures past 100.
Florida political parties may struggle over district remapping plans
Florida is cruising toward a monumental decision in 2010 about how to redraw its political maps. Or it isn’t.
Editorial: Save Our Homes challenge is worthy
Last week, former Florida State University President Sandy D’Alemberte, a former American Bar Association president who now teaches law at FSU, tried challenging a portion of Florida Save Our Homes amendment that contributes greatly to our state’s lopsided tax structure.
Largest plant in U.S. set to open this week
Its name is impressively futuristic: The DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center.
South Florida counties form environmental coalition
With a flair of the pen Friday, leaders from South Florida’s four counties created a regional force that they hope will obtain federal funding to protect drinking water, enhance mass transit and encourage the use of alternative fuels.
FDA proposes 8-month oyster harvesting ban in Florida
Local officials, oyster industry say change would have devastating effect
A consummate oyster industry insider, Kevin Begos was attending a conference in New Hampshire when contacted about a proposed federal ban on raw oysters during summer months.
Some megawealthy flee taxes by moving to Florida
Have you popped the bubbly to welcome some of the newest Floridians to our shores?
The last day of hearings on Florida Power & Light Co.’s proposed $1.2 billion-a-year rate hike focused on what have been the major issues for the consumers’ advocate from the start: FPL’s over-collection of depreciation and its request to boost its profit margin by 2 percent.
Florida’s Save Space campaign beginning to catch on
Brevard County officials launched a Web site, www.SaveSpace.us, to try to generate 500,000 letters to President Barack Obama by Oct. 31. The Kennedy Space Center could shed up to 7,000 workers after the shuttle retires, further crippling Brevard’s economy.
Broker compensation debate ‘ramping up’ with New York, national action
The possible end of bans on contingent commissions and New York’s proposal of new rules on broker compensation could lead to national and state regulatory changes affecting insurance sales.
Guy Carpenter Finds Merger Interest with MGAs, Program Managers
Program administrators and managing general agents remain interested in growth through acquisition in order to accelerate top-line growth and capture market share, according to findings from new Guy Carpenter survey.
Lloyd’s Notes Success of Regional Catastrophe Pools, CCRIF
An article on the Lloyd’s of London web site discusses the success of an “innovative solution” which can make funding available to governments in the aftermath of a natural disaster.
Optional Federal Charter Won’t Happen, Illinois Top Regulator Predicts
Illinois Insurance Director Michael McRaith speaking at an industry conference predicted that insurance regulation is likely to remain a state rather than federal function.
Marsh executives acquitted in bid-rigging trial
Three former Marsh Inc. executives accused in connection with New York state’s investigation of bid rigging at the broker were acquitted of all charges Monday.
Program eases companies’ access to commercial driver safety records
A pre-employment screening program for commercial drivers due to be launched in December by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will allow commercial motor carriers to electronically access applicant records.
Some insurance lines could see federal regulation: Kanjorski
Several lines of insurance could be nationally regulated, according to the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
Congress ‘Shooting Blanks’ With Antitrust Threat to Insurers
A proposal by the U.S. Congress to limit health insurers’ 64-year-old antitrust exemption won’t increase competition, nor will it hurt business for WellPoint Inc. or Aetna Inc.
TIME: Where will the next five big earthquakes be?
Earthquakes have always been part of Los Angeles’ past – and its future. In 1994 a 6.7-magnitude quake hit the Northridge area of the city, badly damaging freeways, killing more than 70 people and causing $20 billion in damages.
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