Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, July 8
Jul 8, 2010
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Blog: Postal Service fires back over Citizens story
The U.S. Postal Service is less than thrilled with the coverage afforded to the change-of-address story involving Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
A crisis in Florida’s property insurance
Taxpayer-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has added policies at a rate of more than 26,000 per month during the first half of the year.
The First District Court of Appeal upheld a Florida Department of Financial Services Denial of a refund of over $6.6 million from the State’s Special Disability Trust Fund to the Florida Sheriffs Workers’ Compensation Self-Insurance Fund.
Hernando County nets a 5 percent drop in flood insurance premiums
There is a bit of good economic news for hundreds of Hernando County homeowners trying to hold their heads above water in this tsunami of a recession.
Move to privatize Jacksonville building inspectors off for now
Jacksonville has temporarily scrapped plans to replace city building inspectors with a private firm.
Florida AG wants to police Medicaid
Florida’s attorney general says he’s close to getting federal approval to look for over-billing in Medicaid. The waiver would apply to most claims, but wouldn’t catch abuses by HMOs.
New Medicare bidding system hits Florida company hard
Medicare’s new competitive bidding system, which offers taxpayers and beneficiaries better deals on home medical equiment, has already dealt a blow to at least one Florida firm even before the bid-winners are announced.
Blog: Crist calls special session to ban offshore drilling
Gov. Charlie Crist said Thursday he’s calling a special session of the Legislature in less than two weeks and will ask lawmakers to consider a proposed constitutional amendment to ban offshore oil drilling. His proclamation sets the session dates as July 20-23.
Judge throws Legislature’s redistricting amendment off November ballot
The Legislature’s decision to counter the Fair Districts Florida redistricting amendment with its own was declared misleading by Judge James Shelfer, who tossed it off the ballot.
Rick Scott sues to block public funds from going to rival campaigns
Rick Scott, the deep-pocketed Republican front-runner for governor, is suing the state in an effort to prevent his personal wealth from helping his primary rival, Attorney General Bill McCollum.
Colonoscopy mix-up at Miami VA hospital spurs call for hearings
After it was found that 79 veterans were not notified after undergoing the procedure with unsterile equipment, two Miami House members want a congressional inquiry
Last month, a veteran walked into the Miami Veterans Administration hospital with a question: Why hadn’t the hospital contacted him for testing after a 2009 colonoscopy since the VA admitted it had used improperly cleaned equipment?
Feds indict Florida A&M officials for embezzling
Two Florida A&M officials have been indicted by the federal government for conspiring to embezzle Housing and Urban Development money.
Federal Appeals Court Sides with Orlando on Homeless Feeding Ban
A federal appellate court is siding with the city of Orlando in its fight against activists who feed the homeless in a public park.
Local lawmakers gear up for special oil spill session
With a special Legislative session on oil spill issues looking more likely, local lawmakers plan to push for relief for homeowners and businesses.
Threatened cutbacks to state’s early retirement plan prompts many to sign up
Thousands of public employees across Florida have flocked to a lucrative retirement program in advance of a new law making it harder for employees to draw pensions while still working.
Column: Amid gulf oil spill, Florida still looks in vain for a state energy policy
Once upon a time Florida went looking for an energy policy but got terribly lost along the way.
Crist, NRA at odds on Kagan’s Supreme Court nomination
Gov. Charlie Crist, who has long courted a reputation as a gun rights supporter, has ended up on the opposite side from the nation’s top gun rights group on the Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan.
In Florida governor’s race, 527s play hardball
Political groups run attack ads in heated contest
In what campaign finance watchdogs say is the natural extension of last summer’s hard-hitting war in Senate District 8, both Republican candidates for governor have set up political groups that are supposed to be independent to handle at least some of the mudslinging in the GOP primary.
Changes sought in Florida self-defense law
William and Jeanann Kuch say they are making a plea for common sense.
Downgraded insurer sues A.M. Best for defamation
A Pennsylvania insurer claims the rating agency recklessly leaned upon an irrelevant, years-old judgment against its parent in issuing a damaging two-notch downgrade of its financial strength rating.
Obama Fills Top Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Post
President Obama has ignited a political firestorm by using the recess appointment process to make Dr. Donald Berwick administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Texas criticizes windstorm insurer
Regulators say it hasn’t logged complaints by consumers
The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association hasn’t logged consumer complaints or complied with its own internal hiring procedures, according to a report released by state regulators.
Washington Supreme Court Dumps Notice for Malpractice Lawsuits
The Washington state Supreme Court said it’s unconstitutional to require 90 days notice before suing a doctor, marking the second time in less than a year the court has rejected a legislative attempt to reform medical malpractice lawsuits.
New York to Weigh Expanding Excess Lines Insurance List
New York Superintendent of Insurance James J. Wrynn said his agency will hold a public hearing on August 20 to explore the possibility of increasing insurance capacity in New York by easing access to unauthorized insurers.
Barratt Named Nevada Insurance Commissioner
Brett J. Barratt has been named the new commissioner of the Nevada Division of Insurance after serving as acting commissioner since June.
Qatar courts captive insurers, managers and brokers
Comment period expires July 20
Qatar is considering significant changes in its rules for captive insurers, managers and insurance brokers in its bid to become a major insurance center in the region.
Report: P/C insurers to issue more than $19 billion in reserves
The P/C insurance industry is expected to release a majority of its redundant reserves, worth more than $19 billion, before the end of 2011, according to a report from Morgan Stanley. The industry will continue to experience soft market conditions until insurers face negative operating incomes, reserve deficiencies and adverse developments, which are unlikely before 2013, the report added.
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