Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, August 19

 

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Editorial:  Florida Property insurance market is built on sand

The phrase “I told you so” is rarely a winning conclusion to any conversation. But the news this week that another big insurance company wants to pull out of the Florida property insurance market has been predictable.

 

Liability a question in Osceola County Boat Ramp Ordinance Debate

Osceola County commissioners Aug. 9 punted on changing the county ordinance governing public boat ramp use by small commercial airboat or motorboat operations.

 

News Release:   UnitedHealthcare to Expand Services for Florida Healthy Kids Program

Florida Healthy Kids Corporation has selected UnitedHealthcare of Florida to be the state’s partner in an expansion of its public program for children’s health care.

 

Blog:  Hear this Florida House — Atwater wants a special session ASAP

Senate President Jeff Atwater, now facing some heat in his general election battle for CFO, sent a letter to legislators today sort of explaining why he wants to call a special session.

 

Florida Weighs Billing BP More Than $1 Billion to Plug Fund Gap

Florida may send BP Plc a claim for more than $1 billion to close a budget gap after the largest U.S. oil spill slashed tax receipts from tourism.

 

Florida Supreme Court hears challenges to constitutional amendments

The state conceded the ballot summary for a proposed state constitutional amendment designed to give voters a chance to weigh in on President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul is misleading during arguments today before the Florida Supreme Court.

• Justices react skeptically to redistricting amendment
• Cannon wants redistricting amendment on ballot
• Let Florida voters speak on Amendment 9 on federal health reform, state argues

 

PSC nominating council to interview applicants

The Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council is meeting in Orlando to interview applicants for two openings on the utility regulating panel.

 

Woman sues Florida Republican Party, claims she was unjustly fired

A fired office manager is suing the Florida Republican Party, claiming she lost her job for repeatedly warning GOP officials about ousted Chairman Jim Greer’s lavish use of party credit cards and illegal spending in support of Gov. Charlie Crist’s campaign for the U.S. Senate last year.

 

Attorney who subpoenaed Rick Scott delays deposition

Steven Andrews, the attorney who slapped Rick Scott with a subpoena last week, has told the GOP gubernatorial candidate’s campaign that he is delaying the deposition he had initially scheduled for Friday.

 

At least 200,000 cast their ballots in Florida’s contentious primary election

At least 200,000 Florida voters have gone to the polls to take advantage of the state’s two-week early voting period in this year’s contentious primary election.

 

Obama raises $700K for Florida Democrats, visits Miami Beach deli

President Barack Obama swooped into Florida for less than three hours Wednesday to pick up $700,000 for the Florida Democratic Party, and two corned-beef sandwiches on rye from a Miami Beach deli — to go.

 

Florida House primary soaks up the cash

DISTRICT 67: War chests for 3 candidates have hit the 6-figure range

In what is among the most expensive races for a Florida House seat this fall, the three candidates seeking the Republican nomination in District 67 have, as of their latest finance reports, collectively compiled nearly a half million dollars in contributions.

 

Economy is key to Florida primary victory

After weeks in which tens of millions of dollars have been spent on negative ads about career politicians and Medicare fraud, the Aug. 24 primary for governor between Rick Scott and Bill McCollum may turn on one simple issue.

 

NAIC Confident Uniform Surplus Lines Distribution Ready By November

Recommendations to the states for the collection of surplus lines taxes from insurance regulators should be in place by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ November meeting, said the chairman of the NAIC Surplus Lines Task Force.

 

NAIC Task Force Updates Solvency Road Map

The Solvency Modernization Initiative (SMI) Task Force hopes to see a model law or other tool developed by December 2012.

 

Texas Windstorm Insurance Association asks for higher rates

Texas Windstorm Insurance Association has asked state regulators to approve a 5 percent rate increase that would take effect in January.

 

RMS Releases ‘Australia Severe Convective Storm Model’

Risk Management Solutions has completed work on a model dealing with Australia’s three greatest perils. RMS announced the phase one release of its “Australia Severe Convective Storm Model®, covering damage from hailstorm, water ingress, downburst winds, and tornadoes.”

 

Insurance Commissioners Ponder Contentious Issues

At the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ summer meeting, state regulators tackled some thorny legal matters.

 

 

 

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