Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, August 6
Aug 6, 2009
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State Farm Florida Can Scrap Some Discounts But Not Mitigation Credit
State Farm Florida has been given the green light to eliminate some homeowners insurance discounts but the insurer must continue to offer discounts for storm mitigation steps taken by insureds because these are required by law.
Changing winds aim at insurance
Heading into the most active months of the hurricane season, upcoming regulatory decisions will radically change Florida’s property-insurance market and determine the future for millions of consumers.
Drywall discovery sets off a struggle
It might be every home buyer’s worst nightmare: purchasing a house on the market, not realizing that it contains tainted Chinese drywall.
Key hearing set in lawsuit over Fla. Medicaid
A federal judge in Miami is considering whether a lawsuit claiming Florida’s Medicaid program is failing children should be made into a class action affecting tens of thousands of people.
Tempers flare in South Florida over healthcare overhaul
Confrontation over a national healthcare overhaul reached South Florida on Wednesday, when routine office hours for the staff of a Broward-area congressman turned into a raucous protest.
Fla. pension fund drops nearly 19 percent
Florida’s public employee pension fund lost $27.2 billion, or nearly 19 percent of its value, during a tumultuous year in the financial markets, the state’s top investment official said today.
Sansom’s lawyer seeks to have charge dismissed
State Rep. Ray Sansom’s lawyer asked a judge Wednesday to dismiss the criminal case against him, arguing there was no evidence Sansom secured $6 million in taxpayer money for an airport building that a friend and political contributor would use.
Special election called to replace the late Sen. King
Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday scheduled an Oct. 6 special election to replace state Sen. Jim King, who died last month of pancreatic cancer.
St. Lucie Commissioner Craft challenges U.S. Rep. Rooney for District 16 seat in 2010
Chris Craft Democratic St. Lucie County Commissioner, District 5
Democratic St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Craft launched his campaign Wednesday to challenge freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, in 2010.
Senator Arthenia Joyner to receive national recognition
Forty years of blazing new trails and dedication to her chosen profession will be recognized on Friday as state Senator Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) is inducted into the prestigious National Bar Association’s Hall of Fame.
A Florida lobbyist association has gone to the U.S. Supreme Court, asking for a review of Florida’s ban on gifts — not even a free cup of coffee is OK — to legislators. But the appeal is really about the law’s requirement that lobbyists broadly report their compensation.
Ocala-based Home loan giant closes, hundreds left jobless
Taylor, Bean & Whitaker, the Ocala-based mortgage giant that was raided by the FBI this week, closed its doors Wednesday, leaving more than 1,000 employees suddenly out of work.
Florida to get $3.1 million to improve help for unemployed
Florida will get $3.1 million from the Department of Labor to funnel toward getting its unemployed back to work.
It took awhile, but citizen’s call for cost-cutting stirs response in Tallahassee
Harlow Hyde of DeLand is just another ordinary citizen with a few ideas about how government should save money – except that his suggestions have gotten attention.
Brogan to make $450,000 as Florida university system chancellor
Florida’s Board of Governors approved a compensation package this morning for new university system chancellor Frank Brogan worth an annual $458,198.
Gov. Crist calls attention to Florida’s python problem
The proliferation of pythons in Florida caught the attention Wednesday of Gov. Charlie Crist, who said capturing the giant creatures is a public safety issue.
Governor Crist promotes energy efficient Florida appliance rebate program
Governor Charlie Crist today, continuing his commitment to increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoted the recently announced Energy-efficient Appliance Rebate Program during a visit to Danfoss Turbocor in Tallahassee.
Florida Sports Foundation: Baseball business booming in Florida
Baseball really is big business in Florida.
A study released by the Florida Sports Foundation on Wednesday pegs the total economic impact of 39 days of spring training 2009 at $752.3 million.
North Carolina Senate Panel Approves Beach Plan Rescue
The bill, which already passed the House, will now bypass the finance committee and go directly to the full Senate where lawmakers will be racing against the adjournment clock, as well as facing doubts of a key Senate leader about the legislation. A vote could come today or tomorrow.
Wrynn Said To Be Tapped For N.Y. Insurance Supt. Post
Attorney James J. Wrynn, who was recently named head of New York’s state-run workers’ compensation insurer, is now in line to be the state’s new insurance superintendent.
Contingent Fees Hit By Hunter, Says Transparency No Safeguard
The Consumer Federation of America has weighed in with criticism of the Illinois decision to allow an insurance brokerage to resume charging scandal-tinged contingency commissions.
Allstate Reports Improved Capital Levels Despite Record Catastrophe Losses
The Allstate Corporation today reported results for the second quarter of 2009.
RMS Now Sees Less Risk From Quakes
Risk Management Solutions said its newest catastrophe models for earthquake risks in the United States will likely cut insured loss estimates 10 to 25 percent.
Insurers Need Common Rules on Solvency, IAIS’s Yamazaki Says
Insurance supervisors worldwide need to create common rules to prevent calamities such as the collapse of American International Group Inc., the deputy head of an industry oversight group said.
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