Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Monday, September 20
Sep 20, 2010
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Scott touts business-friendly insurance, lawsuit changes; Sink raises consumer concerns
Republican governor candidate Rick Scott says more private insurers would compete in Florida if the state adopts business-friendly standards such as making it tougher for homeowners to claim sinkhole damage and more difficult for plaintiffs to introduce “junk science” evidence in lawsuits.
- To view Rick Scott’s insurance and tort reform plan, click here.
Ocala sinkhole repair work is delayed
Costs may rise to $116,000; no one is sure who is responsible for the work
The sinkhole that opened up at Southwest 42nd Street in Fore Ranch last month is a bigger problem than originally believed, and the repair work has been halted while the city of Ocala and the homeowners figure out who should pay for what.
Florida investigating hospital billings
The Florida attorney general’s office is investigating 18 hospitals, including some of the state’s largest, on suspicion of improper Medicaid billing for emergency-room services.
Columbia/HCA reports warned Rick Scott of potential legal problems
Rick Scott has said he would have immediately stopped his former hospital company from committing Medicare fraud – if only “somebody told me something was wrong.”
Editorial: Death cries for parasailing rules
The death of a 27-year-old chiropractic assistant after a parasailing mishap along Clearwater Beach should end the days of free regulatory sailing for businesses that launch people into the sky for a thrill.
Florida Gulf Coast University admissions rule allows for rejection based on student’s health
At the intersection of health privacy laws and student privacy laws in Florida stand the students themselves.
Florida’s State Board of Administration skirted legal advice, gambled on risky investments
Three years ago, the state of Florida made bad investments that lost hundreds of millions in value.
Sunshine State News: Rick Scott Calls for 19 Percent Cut in Property Taxes
On Monday, the campaign team of Republican gubernatorial Rick Scott, unveiled its candidate’s plan on taxes and insurance.
Thousands of felons, dead people still registered to vote in Florida
Less than two months before the general election, Florida’s voter registration rolls still include thousands of dead people and felons who by law should have been removed.
The Wall Street Journal: Builders Fighting Florida Proposal
The real-estate industry and pro-growth advocates are rallying to defeat a Florida ballot initiative that they say would limit future development in one of the nation’s largest housing markets.
Crist’s last Public Service Commission appointments could face rough road to confirmation
Gov. Charlie Crist this week will name two members to the state Public Service Commission, the board appointed to keep Florida’s utilities affordable and dependable.
Meek and Rubio assail Crist in first debate
It was appropriate that Gov. Charlie Crist stood between Democrat Kendrick Meek and Republican Marco Rubio during their first Senate debate Friday since he was getting hit from both sides.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink released five years of tax returns and called on rival Rick Scott to release his, too
Florida Democratic candidate for governor Alex Sink released five years of tax returns Friday, revealing little details about family assets unless you note Sink’s husband’s penchant for poker.
Scott and Sink parry over state prison costs
Rick Scott and Alex Sink touted some of their law-and-order endorsements in the governor’s race this week.
New Florida governor will face more conservative Legislature
Republican Rick Scott and Democrat Alex Sink both promise to shake up state government if elected governor.
Tea party rally draws thousands to St. Augustine
Thousands of determined tea party activists converged in a park in America’s oldest city Saturday and heard a succession of candidates promise to heed their demands for less government and lower taxes.
Federal regulators order Florida Capital Bank to increase capital
Federal banking regulators have ordered Jacksonville-based Florida Capital Bank to raise more capital, saying “the bank continues to suffer from the effects of unsafe or unsound practices, particularly in connection with its commercial real estate loan portfolio.”
Ballot to address legislative districts
In 1812, the governor of Massachusetts signed into law the boundary lines for legislative districts in his state.
- Collier linked to Miami-Dade in Congressional District 25, but that might change
- Blog: Anti-Fair Districts group launches $4 million fundraising drive
Two veteran legislators battle for coastal Senate seat
Two veterans of the Florida House are fighting for an open state Senate seat representing coastal areas of Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Daniel Davis’ two-step: Get appointed to House, start a fundraising group
His establishing of a political committee (called a 527) so soon is rare for a rookie, veteran lawmakers say
Daniel Davis is not waiting to make a splash. A day after he was appointed, the newest member of the Florida House filed paperwork to start a political committee that allows him to raise unlimited sums of campaign cash.
Worried about national debt, older Florida voters may turn against Democrats in elections
Many older voters who grew up in the shadows of the Great Depression have turned against President Barack Obama and Democrats in Congress this election year, partly because of fears that the government will bury younger generations under a mountain of debt.
Florida public universities may adopt flat tuition
Florida’s full-time public university students could soon be paying a flat tuition, no matter how many classes they take, under a plan being considered by the state board.
Senate Panel to Hear Extending Flood Insurance Program This Week
The National Flood Insurance Program is set to expire on Sept. 30, just as the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season reaches its height.
The New York Times: Drywall Flaws — Owners Gain Limited Relief
Linda and Randall Hunter own their dream house in Plant City, Fla., with an oversize master bedroom, granite countertops in the kitchen and a screened-in pool.
Lawmaker submits new Texas Windstorm Insurance Association inquiry
Rep. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood sent the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association a new request for information about cases related to Hurricane-Ike on Friday after a judge expressed concern that an earlier request sought private information.
Nashville mall sues insurers, broker in dispute over flood claims
The Opry Mills Mall Ltd., which has been closed since early May due to flooding, has filed a lawsuit against 17 insurers and one brokerage seeking at least $150 million in claims.
Property-casualty sector’s reserve adequacy cushion showing wear
The property-casualty industry’s reserve adequacy cushion isn’t as fluffy as it used to be, according to a new Fitch report.
16 Brokers to Use New Single-Entry Commercial Lines Insurance Exchange
Sixteen insurance brokerage firms have agreed to be the first to use a new Internet-based single entry submission system to transact commercial lines business with carriers, a system that will be made available to all agents and brokers and their carriers early next year.
Best Issues Special Report on China: ‘A Dangerous Wind or An Opportunity?’
The Chinese insurance and reinsurance market is “well positioned to continue to grow and is entering a new stage in its development,” according to a new report from A.M. Best.
Indiana Jury Awards $23M in Pesticide Misuse Case
A southern Indiana jury has awarded $23.5 million to a family whose lawsuit alleged that pesticides sprayed in their apartment afflicted two children with severe neurological problems.
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