Capitol To Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, June 18
Jun 18, 2009
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Florida Amends Rules for Reporting Professional Liability Claims
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has signed into law a bill that amends the rules for reporting of professional liability claims by insurers and health care providers.
Proctor pushes for insurance changes
Both supporters and opponents of a bill that would partially deregulate Florida’s property insurance market are fiercely lobbying Gov. Charlie Crist as he nears a decision about whether to sign the bill or follow his apparent instinct to veto it.
Letter to the Editor: No veto, Charlie
House Bill 1171 is on the governor’s desk to sign or veto by June 27.
Editorial: Builders take homeowners’ concerns seriously
By now, we have all heard about the problem with Chinese drywall — but despite the familiarity of the story, this problem is still in its infancy. We don’t have answers to many of the critical questions about Chinese drywall, and we should be skeptical of those who claim that they do.
A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of State Farm Florida Insurance Company
A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B (Fair) from B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “bb” from “bbb-” of State Farm Florida Insurance Company (State Farm Florida) (headquartered in Winter Haven, FL). The outlook has been revised to negative from stable.
Did Florida’s 2003 Reforms Reduce Workers Comp Attorney Involvement?
After Florida limited the fees paid to attorneys in workers’ compensation in 2003, attorney involvement in cases fell only slightly, according to new research.
St. Lucie West to get flood control project next year
Residents in St. Lucie West won’t have to worry as much about flooding after improvements are made before next year’s storm season.
Second suspect in Treasure Coast post-hurricane construction fraud arrested
Tips and surveillance have finally ended a months-long search for the second man wanted in a post-hurricane construction fraud scheme along the Treasure Coast, a state official said Wednesday.
FL officials discuss Medicaid fraud investigation
State officials announced the findings of a Medicaid fraud investigation in Miami-Dade County at a news conference.
Governor Charlie Crist signed sixteen bills into law today that passed during the 2009 legislative session.
Fla. Speaker Cretul considers run for Congress
Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul says he is giving ‘very, very strong consideration’ to running for Congress in 2010.
High court clears way for growth-management amendment
The state Supreme Court appeared to clear the way Wednesday for the controversial Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment to go on the 2010 election ballot.
Judge OKs Tamiami Trail bridge to help Everglades
A federal judge gave the green light to a long-delayed bridge on the Tamiami Trail.
A Miami federal judge has cleared the path for a long-delayed plan for a new long bridge on the Tamiami Trail, an asphalt dam across the River of Grass for nearly 80 years.
Report: Energy plans won’t harm Florida economy
Federal legislation to combat global warming won’t harm Florida’s economy, a new report said.
A new economic report, commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund, says the latest federal proposal to curtail greenhouse gases will have ”very modest or even negligible” costs for the Florida economy over the next 15 years.
Former State Senate President W.D. Childers released from prison
Former Senate President W.D. Childers, who served in the Senate from 1970 to 2000 and was Senate president for the 1980-82 term, walked out of a prison work-release center Wednesday, ending nearly three years of confinement on a bribery conviction.
Review panel hears competing proposals to replace space shuttle
NASA officials and aerospace executives proposed competing plans to replace the space shuttle on Wednesday at the first public meeting of an independent panel that the White House has asked to chart a future course for American astronauts.
Obama Would Leave Most Insurance Regulation To States
Insurance regulation would remain primarily at the state level under President Obama’s new financial services regulatory regime.
PCI Pleased With Regulatory Proposal’s Systemic Risk Focus
David A. Sampson, president and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), issued the following statement in response to the White House/Treasury proposal for financial services regulatory reform:
RMS and Aon Benfield Announce New Long-term Relationship
Risk Management Solutions (RMS) and Aon Benfield have announced a new long-term relationship whereby Aon Benfield endorses RMS as its lead catastrophe modeler.
DHS Announces Nearly $1.8 Billion in Fiscal Year 2009 Preparedness Grants
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano this week announced nearly $1.8 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparedness grants designed to help states, urban areas, tribal governments and non-profit agencies improve their readiness by enhancing protection, prevention, response and recovery capabilities for all disasters.
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