Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, Jan. 31

 

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Senator Jeff Atwater: Time insurance companies keep promises to homeowners

Exactly one year after Gov. Charlie Crist signed legislation to lower property insurance premiums, the Florida Senate has convened a special Select Committee to investigate why certain insurance companies are not passing the savings on to policyholders, as required by law.

Gov. Charlie Crist’s clout rises with primary vote

If there was any question about who is the most popular — and powerful — political figure in Florida right now, Gov. Charlie Crist has put it to rest.

Seminole gaming tug-of-war in Supreme Court’s hands

The state Supreme Court gives no indication when it will rule on the Crist-Seminole deal.

Florida’s Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that represents a major test of limits to the governor’s power and could affect the expansion of gambling in the state.

More tax reform talk delivered with amendment’s passage

Before all the votes were even counted Tuesday night, business groups and House Republican leaders started firing out e-mails.

Housing slump has Crist scrambling on budget

Confronted with a souring Florida economy and a gaping $2 billion budget shortfall, Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday will unveil his spending recommendations for the coming year.

Posey waits for cue from colleague

If Haridopolos runs, he won’t

State Sen. Mike Haridopolos is poised to announced whether he’ll seek the congressional seat of the retiring Rep. Dave Weldon.

Cities brace for voter-approved property tax revenue cut

A day after voters gave themselves a property tax break, local government officials started trying to figure out how to pay for it.

EDITORIAL: Florida matters after all

So Florida matters after all. The heavy voter turnout in the state’s presidential primary election did not produce a stunning upset or a big surprise in either party’s nomination battle.

A New Property Insurer For Louisiana

Property insurer ASI Lloyds, in St. Petersburg, Fla., said it will enter the Louisiana market to sell home and fire insurance after receiving a state grant.

9th Windstorm Insurance Forum to Focus on Fla. Property Concerns

The concerns of property insurance in Florida and the perils facing the property insurance industry are some of the key issues to be addressed at the Ninth Annual Windstorm Insurance Conference, set for Feb. 4 – 7 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Zapata is cleared in ethics inquiry

A state ethics panel found that Rep. Juan C. Zapata did not abuse his position when he waged a one-man public-relations campaign against a nonprofit after he was kicked off the agency’s board.

FPL asks panel to allow two more nuclear reactors

State utility regulators heard FPL, and nuclear-power critics, make the case for and against two proposed Florida Power & Light began making its case to state regulators on Wednesday that the two nuclear reactors it wants to add at Turkey Point are the best option for keeping South Florida humming.

Letter to the Editor: Premiums too high? Ask about wind credits

Customers and friends constantly ask me if and when property owners will see relief from the never-ending insurance crisis. We have weathered another hurricane season only to find insurance companies standing their ground with outrageous insurance rates.

Katrina Suit Vs. Army Corps Dismissed

A federal judge threw out a key class-action lawsuit Wednesday against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over flooding from a levee breach after Hurricane Katrina.

Jindal’s office finds ‘potential conflict of interest’ in cabinet member family

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office on Wednesday moved to eliminate a ‘potential conflict of interest’ in the business dealings of a cabinet secretary’s family, weeks before Jindal opens a special legislative session on ethics reform.

AIG Paying $12 M Settlement To 10 Jurisdictions

Nine states have reached a $12.5 million settlement with American International Group over charges resulting from a 2004 investigation that found AIG, with the help of brokers, rigged bids and fixed prices on commercial insurance, officials said.

NAIC Cites Top Insurance Complaints for 2007

Recent statistics reflect a continuing decrease in consumers’ insurance complaints for the fourth consecutive year, although the grounds for those complaints remain relatively unchanged.

Brian Duperreault Named CEO At MMC

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc. announced today that Brian Duperreault, who had a successful career as chairman and chief executive officer of Ace Ltd., has been named MMC’s new president and CEO.

Flood Bill Evens the Playing Field

The House of Representatives aims to reinforce the current National Flood Insurance Program by passing H.R. 3959, new legislation that would slowly phase-out some of the NFIP subsidies.

Hurricane Claims Handling Needs Closer Look-US GAO

Insurance companies’ handling of damage claims from hurricanes, where wind and water both destroy property, needs closer government scrutiny, said U.S. congressional investigators on Wednesday.

Study Shows possibility of Fewer Atlantic Hurricanes

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has recently completed a study concluding that a warming global ocean could influence the winds that shear off the tops of developing storms.

Buffett poised to cash in on bond insurer woes

There’s likely to be one sure winner when the dust settles from the turmoil in the bond insurance industry: Warren Buffett.

La. Auditor Suspects Illegal Insurance Rate Fixing at Citizens

Louisiana’s legislative auditor said Jan. 28 he suspects illegal price-fixing has occurred at the state’s taxpayer-backed property insurance company, though he told a legislative panel that he has no proof.

Allstate Gets More Time in Wind-and-Hail Fight in La.

Allstate has been granted more time by Louisiana officials to gather data about the number of homeowners whose wind and hail coverage was dropped on technicalities.

 

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