Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, January 27
Jan 27, 2011
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Deal may help turtles, hinder coastal property owners ability to obtain flood insurance
Environmentalists hope a legal agreement will limit federal flood policies for new coastal development and force owners to rebuild heavily damaged beachside homes at their own risk.
A settlement in a federal lawsuit could help protect turtles that nest on Florida beaches but also potentially make it tougher for some landowners to get federal flood insurance — particularly for new development.
Saunders, Scott talk about Citizens Insurance and the Florida Keys
Asks Governor not to allow rate hikes for Citizens Insurance
State Representative Ron Saunders on Wednesday formally invited Governor Rick Scott to come to the Florida Keys, as the two had their first one-on-one meeting since Scott took office in January.
Florida Chamber Of Commerce Backs New Omnibus Insurance Bill
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has thrown its support behind this year’s omnibus insurance bill, which closely mirrors last year’s version that was vetoed by then-Governor Charlie Crist.
Septic-tank inspection repeal could allow local option
The Senate has started to work on undoing a septic-tank inspection mandate passed last year to deal with thousands of leaky septic tanks potentially fouling Florida lakes and streams.
United States Department of Agriculture Declares Florida Counties Disaster Areas Due to Cold Weather
44 of the state’s 67 counties included in disaster areas for agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to requests Wednesday made by former Governor Charlie Crist, current Governor Rick Scott and members of the Florida congressional delegation to have more than half of the counties across the Sunshine State declared disaster areas due to the severe cold that gripped the state during November and December.
Major fix to Personal Injury Protection insurance may wait until next year
A recurring battle over auto insurance and a requirement that motorists must carry $10,000 worth of personal injury protection returned to the Capitol on Wednesday.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced $50,500 in rewards for eight Floridians who provided key information that led to arrests and convictions in five major insurance fraud cases.
Blog: We’re No. 1 — in possible staged auto accidents!
New Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is lobbing a claim about auto insurance shenanigans. “Of the top five cities for staged automobile accidents, three are in Florida,” Atwater said recently.
First Florida medical malpractice bill is filed
A doctor-friendly bill that makes a series of changes to how medical malpractice cases are filed emerged this week.
Blog: Scott plans a Department of Commerce
Governor Rick Scott told the state’s public-private economic development board Thursday morning that he will propose the creation of a new Department of Commerce to help streamline the various business-luring arms of state government directly under his control.
Blog: Governor Rick Scott hints at $5 billion budget cut
Governor Rick Scott’s refusal to talk about any details in his upcoming budget proposal has increased anticipation and raised expectations for the Feb. 7 release.
Blog: Senate budget chief: Shortfall is $4.8 billion
Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander advised his fellow budget-writing lawmakers to prepare for cuts “like we have not done in any time before” as the Legislature begins its task of drafting a budget for next year with a $3.6 billion budget shortfall.
Florida Attorney General Bondi Temporarily Bans Bath Salt Being Used as Drug
The emergency ban is for 90 days, to allow lawmakers to act.
Wanting to move fast because college spring breaks are rapidly approaching, Attorney General Pam Bondi moved unilaterally Wednesday to outlaw a previously-legal substance that Panhandle sheriffs warned was being used as a drug.
Matt Gaetz drops out of Florida speaker’s race
State Representative Matt Gaetz will not be Florida’s House speaker in 2017-18.
Florida Senator Fasano to Governor Scott: Redistricting Amendments the ‘People’s Will’
Senate President Mike Haridopolos, others deride Amendments 5 and 6
Governor Rick Scott pulled back a request to the U.S. Justice Department to review constitutional amendments 5 and 6 earlier this month, but is taking heat for the move from one member of his own party.
- Senate President Haridopolos on redistricting: ‘Inherent contradictions’ in ‘Fair Districts’ amendments
- Column: Arrogant state House tries to throw out ‘fair districts’ rule
- Editorial: An end run around will of the voters
Florida consumer confidence posts big, unexpected improvement
Florida’s consumer confidence index unexpectedly zoomed seven points to a nine-month high in January, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday.
Florida lawmakers turning toward pension plan cuts
Budget has few roads to revenue.
With a state shortfall likely to top $3.6 billion in the coming fiscal year and pledges from legislative leaders not to raise taxes to fill the shortfall, lawmakers are increasingly looking at the state’s pension plan as one avenue to reduce spending.
Bill would bar work force boards from using tax money for meals
State Senator Mike Fasano is introducing legislation to prohibit regional work force boards from using tax money to feed employees and staff.
Blog: Guess who’s coming to dinner (with Governor Scott)?
Three members of the state House leadership have been invited to dinner Thursday at the Governor’s Mansion: Representatives. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary, and Carlos Lopez-Cantera, R-Miami. Weatherford and Dorworth are in line to be speakers of the House following Rep. Dean Cannon, and Lopez-Cantera is the current House majority leader.
Former attorney general McCollum Shut Down Immigration Raids
Attorney General cited federal ‘pre-emption’ in 2007; FLIMEN says Florida needs E-Verify to plug enforcement gap
A Florida official’s report that claimed state authorities are not using immigration enforcement powers available to them prompted critics to conclude that there is no need to pass more laws to control illegal aliens.
Lawmakers Lash Out at Florida Supreme Court
Republican lawmakers, still stung by the Florida Supreme Court’s rebuke of three constitutional amendments, continued on Wednesday a long running accusation that the court crafts state policy, usurping the Legislature’s policy making role.
Lawmakers Revive Fight to Create Statewide Standard for Fertilizer Use, Sales
Two legislators file bills that would require communities to abide by state regulations.
Under the banner of cutting government regulations, lawmakers are renewing the fight this spring to block local governments from imposing more stringent standards for fertilizer use or sales.
Florida lawmakers begin merit pay discussion
The contentious issue of teacher merit pay is back in the Florida legislature.
Blog: Marco Rubio gets committee assignments: Foreign relations, intelligence
Florida Senator Marco Rubio today got his committee assignments: Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Joy Cooper: Florida cities develop plan for economic recovery, jobs creation
Florida’s cities wholeheartedly share Governor Rick Scott’s objective of creating jobs and fostering an economic climate in which Florida’s employers and families can thrive.
Whistleblower Suit Against State Farm Advances
Judge denies insurer’s motion to dismiss case alleging company mishandled claims in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
A judge has declined to dismiss a whistle-blower lawsuit filed against Bloomington, Ill.-based State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Mississippi Supreme Court Asked to Rule on Damage Limits
A federal appeals panel is asking the Mississippi Supreme Court if state law that limits non-economic damages to $1 million in civil cases is constitutional.
Business owners could escape Sacramento ‘crash tax’
The Sacramento City Council approved a “crash tax” Tuesday to recover costs for emergency response to accidents in the city, but some changes in the final version of the ordinance respond to some concerns expressed by business owners.
Marsh Report Says Commercial Property-Casualty Insurance Still A Buyer’s Market
Commercial property-casualty insurance is likely to remain a buyer’s market this year, continuing a trend from 2010, according to a new report by insurance brokerage Marsh Inc.
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