Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, February 18

Feb 18, 2010

 

 

Note:  Until the March 2, 2010 Florida legislative bill filing deadline, Capitol to Courthouse Headliners will provide a listing of insurance-related bills filed each day.  This listing will be located at the end of the news headlines.

 

To view a complete story, click on a headline below:

 

Insurance claims continue from Florida’s 2005 storms

Florida consumers will be hit with a higher surcharge on their insurance policies to cover losses from 2005 storms.

The fund that backs up private insurers operating in Florida will ask state officials next week to approve an additional .3 percent surcharge on almost every insurance policy in the state.

 

300 turn out for meeting on sinkholes, overpumping

Bill Read lost his home to a sinkhole during the record water pumping by strawberry farmers in the frigid January cold snap.

 

Democrats Question Florida Insurance Consumer Advocate

Insurance Consumer Advocate Sean Shaw on Tuesday outlined to members of the House Democratic Caucus a trio of issues that he’s concerned with but not all the questions Shaw fielded following his brief presentation were friendly.

 

Dozen bills propose limits on cell phones while driving in Florida

On Jan. 3, 2008, Russell Hurd waited for his daughter at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

 

Bill on track to delay Florida unemployment tax hike

Legislation that would delay an unemployment compensation tax increase for two years is on a fast track to early passage in the Florida Legislature.

 

Medicaid revamp faces obstacles in Tallahassee

With Medicaid costs now consuming 26 percent of the state budget, the upcoming session seems primed for a program overhaul.

 

Pew says Florida state pension fund a national leader

Florida’s $127 billion public employee pension fund is a national leader but the state’s non-pension health care plan for retirees needs improvement, says a report issued Thursday by the Pew Center on the States.

 

THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA:  Court Says Petition Signatures Cannot be Revoked

The Florida Supreme Court said Thursday that a petition-signature revocation law, passed in 2007, substantially burdened the rights of citizen-led efforts to change the Constitution.

 

8 Florida firms accused of running employment scams

Florida’s attorney general subpoenaed eight companies operating in Florida based on consumer complaints that they have been running employment scams.

 

Florida taxing boards would be elected under proposal

The power to raise property taxes would rest solely with elected officials under a constitutional amendment proposed for the November ballot.

 

Indialantic official challenges Tobia for Florida House seat

Indialantic Town Council member Lori Halbert will challenge incumbent and fellow Republican John Tobia for the Florida House District 31 seat.

 

Democrat files to challenge Florida House Rep. William Snyder

John Morgan, who has had a Web site up for nearly two months proclaiming his intention to run as a Democrat to challenge two-term state House Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, filed his paperwork this week for the office.

 

Governor Crist Announces Space Transition and Revitalization Act at Florida Statewide Space Industry Summit

Establishes Space Business Investment and Financial Services Initiative to assist new and expanding businesses

As part of his ongoing focus on growing Florida’s economy through job retention and creation, workforce training and economic development, Governor Charlie Crist today announced new legislation to ensure the state’s continued leadership in spaceflight and exploration.

 

Large crowd mostly hostile to EPA plans for cleaning Florida’s lakes and rivers

A public hearing on a federal plan to clean up Florida’s rivers and lakes drew an unexpectedly large crowd of nearly 350 people to a room with only 200 chairs Wednesday. Whether seated or standing, most of the anxious speakers repeatedly lashed out against stiffer environmental regulations.

 

Massachusetts AG settles with auto insurers

The state attorney general’s office has settled with five auto insurance companies who allegedly charged higher rates due to inaccurate driving-record information.

 

Large Brokers Freed to Go After Contingent Commissions But Will They?

The nation’s largest insurance brokers have received the go-ahead to begin accepting contingent commissions again — but two of them say they won’t do it.

 

New York Regulator Warns Of New York City Quake Danger 

The New York Insurance Department has put out an advisory warning consumers that some scientists believe there is a greater earthquake risk for New York City than previously believed.

 

German insurers wind down Iran business

Germany’s Munich Reinsurance Co. and Allianz S.E. halted all remaining insurance business in Iran as their national representative body said it backed international moves toward tougher sanctions against Tehran.

 

South Carolina Considers Allowing Golf Carts on Highways

Golf carts are a common sight in South Carolina, just not on state roads.

 

 

2010 Florida insurance-related bills filed on Wednesday, February 17:

 

No insurance-related bills have been filed today.

 

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