Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Session 2007

Many plans, but no more no-fault law

Florida lawmakers couldn’t agree on the best way to reform the state’s controversial no-fault auto insurance law during the legislative session that ended Friday.

So the law, which requires all drivers to buy $10,000 of personal injury protection, or PIP, will expire Oct. 1.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.miamiherald.com/458/story/97088.html

 

 

No-Fault Insurance Set To Expire

TALLAHASSEE – Florida drivers could get a significant break on their auto insurance bills after lawmakers allowed the state’s beleaguered no-fault system to expire.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBE74WJB1F.html

The complete article can be found at: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/may/05/lawmakers_call_it_quits_end_insurance/

 

 

Numerous bills die as legislative session ends quietly

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers sauntered to the end of their annual legislative session Friday, passing a controversial plan that could expand the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and freeze its rates until 2009.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD04LEG050507.htm

 

 

Legislature extends Citizens rate freeze

The Legislature voted Friday to extend a rate freeze for customers of Citizens Property Insurance.

The measure was a top priority of Gov. Charlie Crist, but was among the last bills passed by the Legislature before it ended its regular 60-day session Friday afternoon.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/APN/705041584

 

 

Citizens to freeze rates, can now spread risk upstate

The Legislature handed South Florida homeowners who buy coverage from Citizens Property Insurance a gift: no rate increase before 2009.

The rate freeze was part of a large insurance bill approved by lawmakers on the final day of the Legislature’s regular session.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.miamiherald.com/569/story/97086.html

 

 

Complexity, philosophy thwarted property tax relief

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist insisted throughout Florida’s 2007 legislative session that local property taxes must “drop like a rock.” When the 60-day session ended Friday without a tax cut, Senate President Ken Pruitt handed Crist a gray rock about the size and shape, appropriately enough, of a goose egg inscribed with the word “patience.”

The complete article can be found at: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-0505crist,0,7108138.story?coll=sfla-home-headlines

 

 

Editorial:  Going to overtime for property-tax relief

OUR OPINION: TAXES, CONSEQUENCES NEED THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION

Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers began the 2007 legislative session with high hopes and big ideas for overhauling tax policy in Florida. And why not? The Republican Party, whose members are the principal architects of property-tax relief, holds a commanding majority in each chamber — and has the governor’s mansion to boot. Devising a workable plan, however, proved harder than anyone imagined. So lawmakers wisely gave up for now, and announced plans for a 10-day special session beginning June 12.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.miamiherald.com/454/story/95868.html

 

 

Insurance reform a highlight of session

TALLAHASSEE – With the state’s largest crisis unsolved, lawmakers ended their annual session under the shadow of a looming battle in June on how to cut property taxes.

But Gov. Charlie Crist won his largest priorities, cementing his position as a new kind of Republican able to cajole unlikely help from a more conservative Legislature.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070505/LOCAL/705050361/-1/news

 

 

State freezes insurance rates

Bill makes it easier to get insurance with Citizens

Despite strong and early lobbying by the insurance industry, the Florida Legislature on Friday gave Gov. Charlie Crist most of what he wanted on hurricane coverage, including another year of frozen rates in the state windstorm pool.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070505/CAPITOLNEWS/705050348/1010/NEWS01

 

 

The day in Tallahassee, Friday, May 4, 2007

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Many new buildings and houses will have to have carbon monoxide detectors under a bill passed by the House and sent to Gov. Charlie Crist on the final day of the session.

TOLL ROAD PRIVATIZATION

The Legislature sent to the governor a measure that will allow private companies, including foreign companies, to build and operate toll roads in the state.

PETITION GATHERING

The Legislature sent to the governor a bill that will require petition gatherers to turn in signatures for constitutional amendments to elections officials within 30 days.

AUTO INSURANCE

The Legislature ended its session without reforming or renewing Personal Injury Protection auto insurance, which means the mandatory coverage is set to expire on Oct. 1.

SCHOOL VOUCHERS

A bill designed to revive a stricken school voucher program failed to pass in the House on the last day of the legislative session. Its Senate sponsor blamed inter-chamber politics.

PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

Lawmakers gave voters an opportunity to remove a provision from the Florida Constitution that allows the Legislature to regulate or prohibit the ownership, inheritance, disposition and possession of real estate by people ineligible for U.S. citizenship.

STEM CELL RESEARCH

Lawmakers quit the session without approving a bill backed by Gov. Charlie Crist to create a program to funnel state money into stem cell research.

CANCER VACCINATIONS

School girls won’t necessarily be encouraged to get vaccinated for a virus blamed for causing cervical cancer, with lawmakers ending their regular session without passing a bill that would have required the information be provided.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070504/APN/705041313

 

 

Big Democrat in Senate chosen as new minority leader

Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, a former professional basketball player who stands about 6-feet-8 inches tall, was designated leader of the Senate Democrats Thursday in a brief caucus.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070505/CAPITOLNEWS/705050342/1010/NEWS01

 

 

House approves toll-road measure

TALLAHASSEE — Now for sale and lease: Certain toll roads and future state roads in Florida.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2007/05/05/a18a_XGR_TOLL_ROADS_0505.html

 

 

Legal plan for poor faulted

The Legislature has quietly overhauled the way attorneys are paid to represent poor people, creating a new system that courthouse regulars say is underfunded and will leave many impoverished defendants and families without competent attorneys.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.miamiherald.com/458/story/97060.html

 

 

Agency for foster children cancels $6.6M contract

The private agency that supervises nearly 3,000 foster children in Hernando and surrounding counties, canceled its contract with a Brooksville subcontractor this month, giving it 60 days to find new case managers for 1,200 children.

The complete article can be found at: http://www.sptimes.com/2007/03/31/Citrus/Agency_for_foster_chi.shtml