Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, December 17
Dec 17, 2009
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Court backs decision rejecting State Farm rate increase
An appeals court has backed a decision by Florida regulators rejecting State Farm’s request to hike Florida property insurance rates by 47.1 percent.
Blog: McCarty “reluctant” to support deregulation legislation
McCarty initially avoided commenting directly on the legislation — HB447 — and he said he is open to a legislative debate on the issue. But after the meeting, he indicated he would likely oppose the bill.
Editorial: State Farm agreement brings relief
Most residential property insurance customers of State Farm Florida can breathe a little easier after Wednesday’s announcement that the company and state Office of Insurance Regulation settled a rate dispute that’s been raging for more than a year.
Details emerge about fire official with Florida job
Answers are beginning to trickle out as to how a D.C. Deputy Fire Chief got to be simultaneously employed as head of a Florida fire department while remaining a city employee.
Insurance payment lapse may lead to tag loss in Florida
On his way home from a wedding rehearsal one night, Millard Gillen lost his car.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA—OIR: Cover Florida may not pass federal muster
Gov. Charlie Crist’s Cover Florida health insurance plan may not meet the requirements of new federal health laws depending aimed at boosting coverage, depending on what version of reform federal lawmakers come up with, a top state regulator said Tuesday.
Governor Crist reappoints Pecko to serve as judge of compansation claims
Governor Charlie Crist today announced the following reappointment:
The Miami Herald to Webcast Governor’s Editorial Board Meeting Friday
Are you concerned about rising insurance rates? The state of public education education? Florida’s high unemployment rate
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: State responds in growth management suit
State officials have filed their defense of a new growth management law that 18 cities and two counties are seeking to have declared unconstitutional.
Florida conducts antitrust review of merger of voting-machine makers
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is conducting an antitrust investigation of a voting-machine company merger that would create a near-monopoly over the levers of democracy in Florida and much of the United States.
‘Wafflegate’ casts shadow on rail bill signing
The fallout from the use of “pancake” and “French toast” in state e-mails continued to simmer Wednesday, clouding Gov. Charlie Crist’s celebratory four-city tour promoting sweeping new rail legislation.
Rivals for Florida governor attack over roles in mortgage crisis
Picking up a line of attack begun months ago by the Florida Republican Party, Bill McCollum is accusing his Democratic rival for governor, Alex Sink, of “deceptive loan practices” while she was a top banker.
School class size, high-speed rail on Florida’s agenda
The Florida Legislature could act next year to ease the disastrous economic impact of the class-size amendment on public schools, says former State Rep. Dudley Goodlette of Naples.
Flagler, Volusia lack ‘construction-ready’ projects
The tentative five-year work plan for Volusia and Flagler County roads and bridges presented by state transportation officials during a public hearing Wednesday night wasn’t all some local officials hoped for.
SEC probe won’t derail key Miami public works projects
Even amid a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation, Miami leaders and financial experts say the city appears to be in position to issue bonds to bankroll key public works projects.
High-stakes coup forming against Florida Rep. Party Chair Jim Greer
A bitter battle is heating up to oust state GOP chairman Jim Greer, with leading Florida Republicans accusing him of serious financial mismanagement that could jeopardize Republican campaigns in 2010.
Government selling South Florida homes at fire-sale prices
Uncle Sam and two government-sponsored companies are unloading property, from waterside mansions to burned-out shells, often at fire-sale prices 10 percent to 20 percent below market value.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Court OKs FAIR Districts impact statements
Financial impact statements that would accompany proposed ballot questions dealing with redistricting are legal and can go on the ballot, the Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Lottery TV contract questioned
The Florida Lottery has tentatively awarded a five-year, $3.7 million contract to Mike Vasilinda Productions, the video production firm owned by the veteran Capitol newsman and spouse of Democratic Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda.
Senate Republican leader files for divorce from lobbyist wife
Senate Republican leader Alex Diaz de la Portilla wants a divorce, and he says the assets accumulated during his six-year marriage to a Tallahassee lobbyist should be equally distributed.
Bills would restore ban on big bank-insurer firms
Financial giants such as Goldman Sachs Group could be broken up under two bills introduced in Congress Wednesday, one with the backing of former Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
Congress Weighs Restoring Wall Between Banking, Insurance
Financial giants such as Goldman Sachs Group could be broken up under two bills introduced in the U.S. Congress Wednesday, one with the backing of former Republican presidential nominee John McCain.
National Flood Insurance Program to Expire Dec. 18
Time is running out once again for the National Flood Insurance Program, which is set to expire on Dec. 18.
Fed Assesses Alabama Regions Bank for National Flood Insurance Act Violations
The U.S. Federal Reserve assessed a Civil Money Penalty against Regions Bank, Birmingham, Alabama in connection with its alleged violations of the Board’s regulations implementing the National Flood Insurance Act.
New Orleans sells first bonds in 2 years
The Board of Liquidation, City Debt voted to sell to Morgan Keegan, because it offered the city the lowest true interest cost with a projected average rate of 5.4 percent over the debt’s life. It was brought that low under terms of the so-called Build America Bonds which dictate the federal government also pays a share of interest.
Reinsurers place European windstorm cover
Munich Reinsurance Co. and Willis Re have placed industry loss warranty contracts that provide reinsurance for European windstorm risks, the companies said Thursday.
NAIC Moves To Set Antifraud Standard For Insurers
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners Antifraud Task Force is proposing to ask insurers to detail their company plans to combat fraud.
Insurance Fraud Likely To Ramp Up In 2010, Experts Say
Experts in fighting insurance fraud say scams that historically escalate in a poor economy will increase in 2010, with health-related activity at the top of the list and with smaller firms as favored targets
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