Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, April 9
Apr 9, 2009
Above: The Florida National Guard is being dispatched to areas of North Florida where rivers continue to rise from heavy rains in the past few weeks.
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Florida’s CAT fund denied aid from U.S. Treasury
State officials have sustained a setback in efforts to shore up the state’s Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which is intended to back homeowners insurance companies in case of a major storm.
Florida regulators expected to take over Coral Insurance
State regulators are poised to take over Hollywood-based Coral Insurance in the next day or two.
Auto Club Insurance Co. of Florida is promoting a new homeowners insurance policy as other large companies – most recently State Farm – are leaving the state.
Florida lawmakers ‘waking up’ to insurance failures
Florida is trying to cure its insurance “disease.” State lawmakers are abandoning long-held promises to lower rates for hurricane policies — even amid the prospect of stronger storms — in favor of rapid hikes to rescue public insurance programs that could sink, financially speaking, during the looming cyclone season.
South Florida homeowners quiz lawmakers over Chinese drywall concerns
Homeowners from developments ranging from Boynton Beach to Parkland gathered at West Palm Beach City Hall Wednesday to meet with Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., over Chinese drywall concerns.
North Florida flooding ramps up state emergency response
Florida emergency responders have gone on full alert as rivers in the Panhandle and Big Bend continue to rise and threaten major highways.
Guy Carpenter Florida Presence Strengthened by John B. Collins Acquisition
Guy Carpenter & Co. LLC completed the previously announced acquisition of John B. Collins Associates Inc.
Budget plans leave much to question
Florida lawmakers moved forward Tuesday with budget proposals that try to shield public schools from major cuts — but threaten funding for nursing homes, land conservation and dozens of other programs.
Florida House budget on desks, on Website Thursday
The House of Representatives budget proposal (HB 5101), approved Tuesday, will be on members’ desks and available online Thursday at 8 a.m., House officials said Wednesday; the measure will be accessible through at www.myfloridahouse.gov. The Senate proposal (SB 7202) was not yet available and Senate staff did not know Wednesday afternoon when the amended version would be available or online at www.flsenate.gov.
Floridians could face millions in higher fees
Floridians can expect to pay more when they renew their car registrations, file a lawsuit or cast a fishing line from the seashore.
Judgment Prohibits Consumer Data-Based Telemarketing Without Due Diligence
Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office has reached an agreement with a Pinellas County marketing firm investigated for using consumer records obtained from a data broker connected to the Certegy data thefts announced in 2007.
In a reverse of the usual scenario – where government looks to shed costs by privatizing what it does – the state may be on the verge of “deprivatizing” something that it used to do and wants to do again because it actually makes money.
House plan would help pari-mutuel businesses
Pari-mutuel businesses like the Sarasota Kennel Club could become more competitive through extended hours and higher wagering limits, and others that currently operate slot machines would enjoy a reduced tax rate tied to a minimum annual payment under a plan to be unveiled today.
Florida may target tribes’ cigarette sales
A new ‘Indian cigarettes’ stamp would help cut down on sales of tax-free cigarettes sold on tribal property, one Senate panel says.
In an attempt to suppress the sale of tax-free cigarettes sold on Florida’s Indian reservations, state senators want the tribes’ smokes labeled ”Indian cigarettes” and any non-Indian caught with them forced to pay a $1,000 fine and face misdemeanor charges.
Two State Legislators Crack Down on Ponzi Schemes
Freshman Republican Rep. Tom Grady, a securities lawyer who represents coastal Collier County, knows well the uphill battle that victims of Ponzi schemes typically face.
Florida‘s worsening drought sparks water fights
A worsening drought is sparking battles over dwindling water supplies, with Florida’s southwest coast demanding relief for rivers and estuaries.
Everglades marshes and Big Cypress swamps are drying up.
AARP: Proposal to cap revenue would be Florida disaster
It doesn’t take a genius to know that Florida’s economy is in trouble.
If Florida Gov. Crist runs for Senate, expect run on his job
The whole Florida Cabinet is considering a run for governor next year.
Pipeline to bring natural gas, jobs to region
FPL plan to serve N. Brevard facility
Florida Power & Light plans a $1.5 billion, 300-mile underground natural gas pipeline that includes a 13-mile leg across North Brevard to fuel a new, cleaner Port St. John power plant by 2014.
Florida‘s new U.S. Rep. Bill Posey gains his footing after rough start
Making national cable news can be a coup for a freshman congressman — unless the show is the satirical Colbert Report and its anchor calls you “part alligator” while mocking one of your bills.
CFO Sink announces upcoming lawyer/lender roundtable to help Floridians avoid foreclosure
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink on Wednesday announced that she will bring together Florida lenders and attorneys with the Florida Attorneys Saving Homes program on April 20 for a roundtable discussion on streamlining efforts to keep Floridians in their homes.
Home-Elevation Grants Increased to $100,000 in Louisiana
Louisiana officials say they will let applicants for a federal home-elevation grant program collect as much as $100,000 for raising their houses above base flood levels, rather than the $30,000 cap the state originally imposed.
Berkshire Ratings Dropped By Moody’s
Moody’s Investors Service, citing the impact of stock market declines yesterday, downgraded the insurance financial strength rating of National Indemnity Company and the long-term issuer rating of its ultimate parent, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
Marsh Finds Growing Demand for D&O Coverage as Claims Rise
“Concerns about the global economy, shareholder action, litigation, and the increasing engagement by regulators are fuelling demand for Directors’ and Officers’ (D&O) insurance,” according to Marsh’s London office.
Aon Reports Kidnap Insurance Costs up ‘Tenfold ‘ in Gulf of Aden
A timely report from Aon Risk Services warns that “ship-owners navigating the Gulf of Aden are seeing insurance premiums for kidnap and random (K&R) increase tenfold as piracy escalates.”
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