Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, December 11
Dec 11, 2008
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As Domestic Insurers Multiply, Industry Applauds Florida’s Licensing
Florida’s domestic insurers continue to take on a larger and larger role in the state’s property insurance market.
Florida Insurance Office Earns Accreditation Renewal
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has been recognized at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Winter National Meeting for renewal of its Financial Regulation Standards accreditation.
One state’s gain, another’s loss in flood program
Gulf Coast states have collected billions of dollars more in federal flood insurance claims than they have paid into the system over the past 30 years, while states like Florida and California have paid far more than they have received.
Crist, critics clash on health plan
Gov. Charlie Crist’s administration on Wednesday signed contracts with six health insurers to offer relatively low-cost, no-frills health-care plans to Florida’s nearly 4 million uninsured.
Florida’s jobless qualify for extended benefits
With its unemployment well above 6 percent – it was 7 percent as of October – Florida is among the states qualified for extended unemployment compensation of 13 weeks beyond the also-extended standard benefits of 20 weeks.
Florida lawmakers list options for dealing with nearly $2.3B budget deficit
New forecast of 100,000 more patients in Medicaid deepens deficit to $2.3B
Florida Senate leaders outlined a list of options for dealing with a nearly $2.3 billion budget deficit Wednesday as the full 40-member chamber held a rare out-of-session meeting to be briefed on the state’s dismal economic outlook. The alternatives include spending cuts, making permanent a 4-percent hold on spending Gov. Charlie Crist already has ordered, and taking more money out of a reserve fund. The list doesn’t include tax increases, at least for now.
Budget Crisis Likely to Mean Cuts to the Basics
Facing a $2 billion hole in this year’s state budget and a larger shortfall for the next budget year, Senate leaders said Wednesday they are preparing for a special session early next year that will signal the beginning of an extraordinarily difficult time as lawmakers may be forced to make deep cuts in basic state services ranging from schools to health care to prisons.
Widow, son mark anniversary of Chiles’ death by highlighting kids’ needs
The widow and son of Gov. Lawton Chiles said Wednesday that 10 years of Republican rule has made tax breaks more important than children’s health and nutrition in ways that will cost Floridians billions in medical, educational and criminal justice spending to repair. Lawton M. ‘Bud’ Chiles III said that, if Gov. Charlie Crist and GOP legislators continue plugging holes in the state budget by dipping into the Lawton Chiles Endowment, the family will ask that the late governor’s name be removed from the fund.
Florida Officials Warn Seniors about Free-Meal Seminars
Florida state officials are warning seniors about high-pressure sales tactics during and after seminars, prompting another round of “there’s no free lunch” admonitions.
Hispanic Supreme Court finalist gets appeal post
Gov. Charlie Crist eliminated the only Hispanic nominee for an as-yet unfilled Florida Supreme Court vacancy Wednesday by appointing him, instead, to a secondary appellate court.
Crist asks for another round of judicial candidates
For the first time, Gov. Charlie Crist has taken the unusual step of asking a panel that gives him Supreme Court recommendations to send more finalists so he can consider a more diverse pool for his third pick to the high court.
Democratic leader defends rejection of leadership posts
Mary Brandenburg of West Palm Beach and two other Democrats in their final term in the Florida House were in line for committee leadership positions unveiled by Republican House Speaker Ray Sansom this week, but the minority party leader declined the assignments, according to public records obtained by The Palm Beach Post.
Wachovia Sues State Rep. Rouson
Wachovia is suing state Rep. Darryl Rouson, claiming he failed to repay a $100,000 loan he took out in 2004 while he was running a law firm in St. Petersburg.
Democratic lawmakers want to raise the cigarette tax, and some Republicans are warming to the idea. Gov. Charlie Crist says he hasn’t.
Lawmakers seek to postpone vote on sugar deal
Saying there were too many unresolved questions — from whether the state was overpaying to how the deal would sock taxpayers — lawmakers pressed the South Florida Water Management District’s governing board to postpone a vote scheduled for Tuesday that could finalize the deal.
Amid Everglades deal, U.S. Sugar identifies other buyers
U.S. Sugar Corp., which has agreed to be bought by the South Florida Water Management District, has identified a number of other potential buyers and is set to begin discussions with them as early as next week, U.S. Sugar President and CEO Robert Buker said in a letter to employees and stockholders released Wednesday.
Former Florida Official Carol Browner Named Obama’s Energy Czar
It hit Carol Browner in the final weeks of the Clinton administration: She had been head of the Environmental Protection Agency for eight years, nearly a quarter of the agency’s existence, far longer than any other administrator.
Seacoast to get piece of bailout
The parent of Seacoast National Bank said Wednesday that it will get a $50 million investment from taxpayers – who will receive a 5 percent dividend in return.
State Lawmakers Plan Summit To Oppose OFC
A group of state legislators who focus on insurance said they are planning to hold a strategy summit with various official groups to plan opposition to any federal involvement with insurance regulation.
Offshore Insurers’ Tax Situation May Spur Legislation
A key senator has requested feedback on proposed legislation that would close a loophole providing a tax advantage to some offshore insurers.
Models Helped Fuel Subprime Crisis, Actuaries Told
An over-reliance on financial models used in securitizing mortgage risks and a failure to question basic assumptions played a role in the subprime crisis, an expert panel advised a recent meeting of actuaries.
Texas Windstorm Insurance Association: 63% of Ike Claims Closed
Texas’ insurer of last resort for wind and hail coverage along the coast reports that 63 percent of claims from Hurricane Ike have been closed and that more than $519 million has been paid to policyholders so far.
Louisiana Parish Official: Red-light Cameras Help Prevent Crashes
Officials say ticket-generating cameras that photograph drivers cruising through red lights have helped make Jefferson Parish, La., roads safer in the past year.
Ohio Federal Judge Says Speeder Cams Constitutional
A federal judge in Akron has rejected a local attorney’s claim that automatic traffic cameras violate the Constitution.
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