Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, Feb. 7
Feb 7, 2008
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Hartford Group to Shed 27,000 Homeowners’ Policies in Florida
The Hartford Group, testifying in front of the Florida Senate Select Committee on Property Insurance Accountability Tuesday said they will implement a non-renewal program in Florida beginning in August.
Sen. Martinez Says Surplus Lines Bill Could Pass
Congress could pass a measure this year reforming and modernizing surplus lines and reinsurance industry regulation, but support is lacking for legislating a federal backstop for state catastrophic reserve funds, a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee said today.
West Palm Beach: Congressional hearing set on homeowners insurance
South Floridians angry about the high costs of homeowners insurance will be able to sound off to a congressional panel that will take testimony at a hearing in West Palm Beach.
Fla. Legislators Grill Hartford Over Rate Hikes
The Hartford had its turn yesterday before a special Florida Senate committee quizzing insurers about company practices and rates in the sunshine state.
The deal to bring commuter rail to Central Florida encountered some resistance Wednesday in the Legislature over the liability in rail accidents on the 61-mile rail line the state is proposing to buy from CSX Corp.
Dozen face housing-fraud charges in Dade
Eleven government employees and a local landlord were indicted Wednesday on charges they scammed a federal housing assistance program in Miami-Dade County out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Legislative bill would bar governor from signing gambling pacts with tribes
While the Florida Supreme Court mulls whether Gov. Charlie Crist had the power to unilaterally sign a gambling compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the state Legislature has begun moving to assert its right to have the final say.
Bill to expand slots to all tracks advances
A state Senate committee approved a bill that would allow slot machines at parimutuels around the state.
A Senate committee gave swift approval Wednesday to a bill that would allow slot machines at every racetrack and jai-alai fronton in Florida, and bring the state an estimated $354 million more in additional annual tax revenues for education.
Florida governor cuts funding for veterans
The ‘people’s governor,’ Charlie Crist, apparently doesn’t care much for Florida’s 1.8 million veterans, judging by the budget proposal he released on Jan. 31. According to newspaper reports, the governor is proposing to slash next year’s budget for the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs from $77 million to $60 million, a cut of 21.5 percent.
Fight over tuition in Florida continues
The fight over who has authority to change tuition at Florida’s public universities is now back before a judge.
Former Florida Sen. Bob Graham and other dignitaries filed an amended lawsuit over the tuition issue Monday in Leon County.
Florida Democrats say they have no plans to take a second swipe at holding a presidential selection process so that delegates from the state might be seated at the party’s presidential nominating convention.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Employer can reduce injured worker’s pay
Question: I have a clerical job at a large, non-union health-care facility, in which one of my responsibilities is lifting and moving heavy file folders. A few weeks ago, I hurt my wrist on the job. It was painful enough that I had to go home, though not before I was required to take a drug-and-alcohol test.
Ex-CANF chief to challenge Mario DÃaz-Balart
Joe Garcia, the brash Democratic strategist and former director of the Cuban American National Foundation, will challenge U.S. Rep. Mario DÃaz-Balart in the November election, setting the stage for a second South Florida grudge match.
Miami-Dade mayor’s e-mail may breach campaign law
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez appears to have breached state campaign law Wednesday when his staff issued an e-mail press release — from County Hall — touting his endorsements from the county’s largest police and fire unions.
Political leaders criticize Brown-Waite’s ‘foreign’ remark
Ginny Brown-Waite’s spokesman stands by the statement but says it was poorly worded.
You could say U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Brooksville, has created an international incident — except the whole point is that it’s not international.
Democrats push to hold presidential caucuses in Florida
The Democratic National Committee is pressuring Michigan and Florida to hold presidential caucuses so the delegates they lost for holding January primaries could be seated at the national convention, a top Michigan Democrat said Wednesday.
Lawmakers’ bill proposes expanding ’10-20-Life’ law
Backed by police representatives, two South Florida legislators called for longer prison sentences and stiff fines Wednesday for using “assault” weapons in crimes.
Florida becomes 35th state to ban Internet hunting
Internet hunting will not be coming to Florida.
Justice Dept. Sued Over Inaction on Auto Database
The Justice Department failed to create a national database of vehicle ownership required under a 1992 law and should be forced to so within 30 days, three consumer groups said in a lawsuit yesterday.
North Carolina: Local company to pay insurer $500K for forging forms
An Englewood housing company must pay $500,000 to a Florida insurer for allegedly forging paperwork when one of its employees was injured.
California: State Fund overhaul is sought
Lawmakers call for sweeping changes in governance of the workers’ comp insurer.
California’s troubled state-backed workers’ compensation insurance company must revamp its board of directors, stop meeting in secret and modernize its corporate governance, lawmakers demanded Wednesday.
A new study by Edmunds.com, the premier resource for automotive information, shows that owning a vehicle in California or Hawaii costs $10,000 more than it does in New Hampshire over a five-year period.
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