Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, July 12

Click on a headline to read the complete story:

 

Crist moves to forefront on green goals

Striving to become the nation’s next political crusader on global climate change, Gov. Charlie Crist will open a two-day summit today in Miami designed to prove that the Sunshine State, a latecomer to the issue, is now enlightened.

 

Initiatives delight and dismay

MIAMI — Gov. Charlie Crist said environmental gain can be had with little pain Wednesday as news of his sweeping global warming initiatives reverberated around the state.

 

Sen. Margolis says she’ll retire, back a Gelber run

TALLAHASSEE — Sen. Gwen Margolis, the Senate’s first female Senate president who returned in 2002 to the Miami Beach Senate district, ended speculation Wednesday and announced her retirement in November 2008. Her hand-picked replacement, she hopes, will be House Minority leader Dan Gelber.

 

Minimum Auto Coverage Bills Lose In 8 States

Insurance organizations said they are hoping Louisiana’s governor will make it the ninth state to reject an increase of the minimum liability insurance required of the drivers.

 

FBI Data Mining Targets Include Insurance Fraud Suspects

The FBI is gathering and sorting information about Americans to help search for potential terrorists, insurance cheats and crooked pharmacists, according to a government report.

 

Taylor Aide Says AIA Report Has Phony Numbers

WASHINGTON —A key congressional staff member, it was learned, has castigated the American Insurance Association for releasing what he said is bogus data in fighting legislation requiring the National Flood Insurance Program to add windstorm coverage.

 

Nelson seeks new plan to replace satellite

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson urged the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Wednesday to create a new plan to replace an aging weather satellite whose fate has been at the vortex of a hurricane forecasting management controversy.

 

Crist promotes law that created children’s cabinet

Gov. Charlie Crist visited a South Florida center that works with abused and neglected children Wednesday to promote a new law that created the Children and Youth Cabinet.

 

Cities see profit in motorists’ misfortune

Our Opinion: Protect Accident Victims From Predatory Laws

The Davie Town Council deserves a thumbs up for seeing beyond municipal greed in rejecting a plan to charge drivers involved in accidents on Davie roads for fire and police services. On the other hand, the North Miami Beach commission deserves a thumbs down for its decision to move forward with a similar idea.

 

Auto Insurance Discounts Challenged As Hidden Finance Charges

TAMPA – Since 2002, lawyers for Michelle Reaume of Plant City have fought Progressive Express’ auto insurance discount for customers who pay their bill in one lump sum.

 

Johanns concerned about House farm bill

WASHINGTON — Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said Thursday the proposed farm bill in the House relies on phony savings that shift expenses from one year to the next.

 

No-Fault Reform Has Not Worked

Gov. Charlie Crist is considering calling a special legislative session in September to extend the state’s no-fault automobile insurance requirement, which is set to expire Oct. 1.

 

Allen denies sex allegations

TALLAHASSEE — Choking back tears, state Rep. Bob Allen said today he is “absolutely not guilty” of charges that he sexually propositioned a policeman in the men’s room of a Brevard County park.

 

GOP urge passage for kid insurance bill

Two Republican senators said Thursday the Bush administration should pull back from talk about vetoing legislation that would renew a health insurance program for children.

 

Legislator decides not to travel at state expense

Rep. Janet Long already was wavering over a Boston conference. Then a constituent called.

Rep. Janet Long says she had been struggling whether to attend a national conference of legislators in Boston at taxpayer expense.

 

Medicare Cost Greater For Once-Uninsured, Study Says

When uninsured adults with common chronic illnesses became eligible for Medicare, they saw doctors and were hospitalized more often and reported greater medical expenses than people who had had insurance.

 

Lawyer to Plead Guilty in Class Action Kickback Scheme

David J. Bershad, a former partner of the New York law firm Milberg Weiss & Bershad LLP, has agreed to plead guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in connection with kickbacks the firm paid to plaintiffs in class action and shareholder lawsuits, prosecutors said.

 

House Votes To Give FDA More Regulatory Power

WASHINGTON – The House on Wednesday approved a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s drug safety system as Congress moved swiftly to send President Bush a bill that significantly improves patient protections.

 

Ruling favors condo builder

RIVIERA BEACH — Trying to back out of a pre-construction purchase on a condo?  If you’re rich, forget it.

 

Experts See Jabil’s Buyout Potential

Could Jabil Circuit be a target for a buyout by private equity companies?

Could it go the way of other local employers such as Outback Steakhouse, The Nielsen Co. and Catalina Marketing and go private?

 

Patchwork City

Road to New Life After Katrina Is Closed to Many

CONVENT, La. — This was not how Cindy Cole pictured her life at 26: living in a mobile home park called Sugar Hill, wedged amid the refineries and cane fields of tiny St. James Parish, 18 miles from the nearest supermarket. Sustaining three small children on nothing but food stamps, with no playground, no security guards and nowhere to go.