Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, Dec. 20

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Insurers defend themselves as Gov. Crist says review may lead to lawsuit

 

Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday that he wants three trial lawyers to review documents for a possible class-action lawsuit against property insurers, alleging that the industry hasn’t passed on savings to consumers as required by a new Florida law.

 

 

 

Lehman biggest provider of state funds

 

The State Board of Administration confirmed Wednesday that more than 40 percent of the downgraded investments under its management were purchased from a single investment firm: Lehman Brothers Holdings.

 

 

 

Crist sics lawyers on insurance companies

 

Gov. Charlie Crist has asked three politically connected lawyers to take on the state’s property insurance industry, much the way a prior governor went after Big Tobacco.

 

 

 

Fasano gets new democrat challenger

 

A Vietnam veteran has become the second Democrat to challenge state Sen. Mike Fasano in the 2008 election.

 

 

 

House, Senate face $2.4B budget shortage

 

Faced with a $2.4 billion shortage, House and Senate money managers have warned Florida lawmakers that election-year goodies will be in critically short supply during the coming legislative session

 

 

Crist unveils low-cost prescription drug program

 

Nearly 4 million Floridians who have no prescription insurance coverage will have access to lower priced drugs at pharmacies across Florida under a new program unveiled Thursday by Gov. Charlie Crist.

 

 

 

Rubio ‘committed’ to capping tax

 

Manatee County was the first of three stops Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio made Wednesday in support of the Florida Taxpayer Alliance’s plan to cap property taxes at 1.35 percent of taxable value.

 

 

 

Volusia council considers medical transport service change

 

Hundreds of mostly low-income and disabled Volusia County residents who use Votran to get to their doctors face a likely change early next year.

 

 

 

Allstate’s 4th Quarter Catastrophe Losses of $100 Million Higher than ’06

 

Allstate Corp. said Tuesday October’s California wildfires plus other disasters have hiked the insurance company’s fourth-quarter catastrophe losses by about $100 million.

 

 

 

Florida election officials warn of confusion

 

Florida officials late Thursday, warning that there could be ”confusion” among the state’s voters, asked a federal court to lift an injunction slapped against state election officials earlier this week.

 

Residents, roofer happy with deal

 

Hurricane Wilma damaged tile roofs on buildings in the El Prado condominium complex in the area of 2775 W. 62nd Pl., Hialeah. That was in October 2005, but residents have been unable to replace the roofs until their insurance claims were paid.

 

 

 

AG fines delivery company for misclassifying drivers

 

Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office has fined FedEx Ground Package System Inc. about $190,000 for intentionally misclassifying 13 drivers as independent contractors rather than as employees.

 

 

 

Texas homeowners policies are the nation’s costliest

 

Texas homeowners insurance premiums stabilized some after legislative reforms in 2003 but were still the nation’s highest, according to a new study.

 

 

 

Cheap insurers may attract activists in 2008

 

Europe’s insurers could find themselves in the crosshairs of activist investors in 2008, looking to shake them up to unlock hidden value.

 

 

 

Fla., Calif., in Dispute Over Citrus

 

For decades, a common fungus found on citrus in California was so insignificant that farmers say they nearly forgot about it.