Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, December 23
Dec 23, 2010
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Barney Bishop: Property insurance reform should be priority for state
One area that [Gov.-elect Rick Scott] and our new legislative leadership can start to work on immediately is to eliminate the unfair “hurricane tax” on businesses.
The fire chief of this city and that of Treasure Island met Tuesday to discuss the possibility of joining the two departments next year.
Man trapped underwater in central Florida mine collapse
A man is trapped underwater after authorities say a central Florida phosphate mine collapsed around him.
Florida Department of Health awards contract for pain pill database
Online system set to start in March
Florida health officials hope to roll out their long-awaited weapon against pill mills as early as March, after awarding a contract this week for an online database of pain pill prescriptions.
Melbourne-based Harris Corporation gets $19 million patient health-care records contract
Melbourne-based Harris Corp. will be paid $19 million by the state of Florida to create a network of patient health-care records that can be easily accessed by health-care providers.
Scott’s economic development advisors want more marketing money, lower taxes
The conclusions of the Economic Development transition team were embedded in a 109-page report, comprised of Power Point slides, and one simple mission statement for Florida under Gov.-elect Rick Scott: “Creating the most prosperous state in the nation.”
Scott getting rid of Florida drug control office
Governor-elect Rick Scott, who has promised to cut waste in state government, is getting rid of Florida’s drug control office.
A report released today by Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s law and order transition team recommends combining the Department of Juvenile Justice with the Department of Children and Families.
Scott’s team ready to shake it up
The goal: Bringing private sector business practices to government
Governor-elect Rick Scott’s efficiency team recommended shaking up state personnel and administrative systems Wednesday to create a “high-performance culture” in Florida government similar to modern, computerized business practices of the private sector.
Blog: Florida Attorney General-elect Bondi taps Muniz as second in command
Attorney General-Elect Pam Bondi today announced that Carlos Muñiz will serve as her Deputy Attorney General and Chief of Staff. Muñiz is currently a shareholder in the Tallahassee office of the law firm GrayRobinson. He previously worked as deputy general counsel to now-Chief Justice Charles Canady.
Tallahassee expected to reap inaugural bonanza
Govenor-elect Rick Scott has an economic stimulus plan for Florida’s capital city – his inaugural.
Who’s in, who’s out in Rick Scott administration
Last week, Gov.-elect Rick Scott revoked the pink slips for at least six of Gov. Charlie Crist’s department heads and at least 400 other mid to upper-level managers while he takes his time to staff up his new administration, according to a list released by the Scott transition team Monday.
SunRail’s $173 million escrow account moves commuter rail one step closer to construction phase
The SunRail commuter train passed a major milestone Wednesday when the state placed $173 million in an escrow account to pay for the tracks the system would use.
Jacksonville car dealer target of federal election donation probe
The Federal Election Commission is suing a now-shuttered Jacksonville car dealership and its owner because it says employees were reimbursed for nearly $68,000 in campaign contributions to a Florida congressman, a breach of federal election law.
Report: Florida has 1,403 gangs with 56,200 members
Florida’s first gang census shows the state has 1,403 documented gangs with 56,200 members, associates and suspected members. That’s nearly the population of the city of Homestead.
Florida’s Public Education Capital Outlay bonds get AAA rating
Fitch Ratings assigned an AAA rating to Florida’s $154.8 million public education capital outlay (PECO) bonds, 2010 series B.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Announces Transition Flood Policy Available Jan. 1
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is making available a new flood insurance low-cost transitional program for properties that have been newly mapped into high-risk areas due to a flood map revision on or after October 1, 2008
New York Agents Plan Court Appeal over Pay Disclosure Rules
Two New York agents’ groups said they have taken the first steps to appeal a decision by state court judge allowing state insurance regulators to force brokers to reveal their commissions.
Allstate Files Federal Lawsuit Against Alleged Vegas Fraud Ring
Allstate Insurance said it was the victim of fraud by a sophisticated group of doctors and lawyers, according to a federal lawsuit filed in Las Vegas.