Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, June 26

 

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Q&A on insurer’s plan for joint wind, flood policy

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. is lobbying Congress for permission to allow insurance companies to include flood coverage in homeowner policies. The vast majority of flood insurance policies are currently sold by insurers but subsidized by the National Flood Insurance Program.

State may limit paying for some kids’ drugs

The state’s healthcare agency is considering limiting payments for strong drugs prescribed to young children for illnesses such as autism and bipolar disorder.

Florida’s massive healthcare agency may cut back on paying for powerful drugs now prescribed for young children, although a final decision could be weeks or months away.

Crist won’t reappoint judge

A year after receiving a formal report accusing a Jacksonville workers compensation judge of bias, Gov. Charlie Crist has decided not to reappoint the judge to a second term.

The decision thrilled officials with two of Jacksonville’s largest unions, who had complained that Compensation Claims Judge William Dane favored employers in workers comp cases.

Crist accepts resignations of high court justices

Gov. Charlie Crist has accepted the resignations of two Florida Supreme Court justices.

Campbell says he may abandon race

Skip Campbell confirmed he is considering dropping out of the race against incumbent Sen. Jeff Atwater, the Palm Beach Gardens Republican who is the incoming Senate president.

Daytona Commissioner Taylor resigns for state House run

City Commissioner Dwayne Taylor has submitted his official letter of resignation from Zone 5. The resignation is effective Nov. 4.

Gaetz to meet people in Warrington

State Sen. Don Gaetz will host a “neighborhood day” today in Warrington.

Citizens concerned about property taxes, insurance, education, health care and other state issues can sit across the table, have a cup of coffee and share their views with Gaetz at the daylong event.

Judge refuses to block Florida voter law

A federal judge has refused to block a new version of a Florida voter registration law that critics say could keep thousands of people from casting ballots this year.

Talks under way for Everglades land swap

A day after announcing a $1.75 billion deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. to buy land for Everglades restoration, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday that negotiations were under way to trade some of the parcels for other pockets of land needed to restore water flow.

Few knew details of sugar buyout talks

One day in November, the U.S. Sugar Co. dispatched two high-powered lobbyists to gripe to Gov. Charlie Crist about water restrictions in Lake Okeechobee and a host of other farming concerns.

Everglades deal “not politics” Gov. Crist says

It was not brilliant political posturing or a self-serving grab to become Sen. John McCain’s running mate.

COMMENTARY:  Charlie’s luck trumps Jeb’s brainpower in Big Sugar deal

I can picture Jeb Bush in his Miami condo, glaring at Richard Scher’s quote on the computer, his right eye twitching violently.

Florida reissues request for Alligator Alley lease proposals

The Florida Department of Transportation today reissued a Request for Qualifications notice concerning Alligator Alley as a potential 50- to 75-year lease concession.

FPL plans world’s largest solar power plant

FPL plans to build three photo-voltaic solar energy plants in Florida in the coming year, including one at Kennedy Space Center in Brevard County.

EDITORIAL:  Crist’s Veto Of Turnpike Bill Will Raise Costs Of Food, Gas

Here’s how things are supposed to work in Tallahassee: lawmakers set direction and bureaucrats make it happen.

Federal judge derides new gun law

A new Florida law intended to prohibit public and private employers alike from banning guns locked inside cars in their parking lots is so badly written it is “stupid,” a federal judge declared Wednesday.

Sale of company that makes Florida driver licenses raises privacy concerns

The high-tech company that makes Florida’s 16 million driver licenses is up for sale and critics are concerned about one of the suitors, Safran SA, a conglomerate that is 30 percent owned by the French government.

No-swim warning issued for 12 Dade beaches

Swimmers were advised to stay out of the ocean from Golden Beach to Matheson Hammock on Wednesday after health officials discovered bacteria levels exceeding state standards at 12 Miami-Dade beaches.

Driving less? Save on auto insurance

Are you carpooling, using mass transit or driving fewer miles to save on gas costs? You might qualify for an automobile insurance discount.

Cities take bike-transit plans for a spin

Led by Washington, D.C., several cities across the U.S. are launching or considering public bike-rental programs to give residents and tourists an alternative to $4 gas, pollution and congestion.

COMMENTARY:  Regulatory Competition is the Solution, Not the Problem

As a frustrated Al Pacino complained in The Godfather Part III, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.”

And he wasn’t even in the insurance business!

State Lawmakers Lobby Hard Against U.S. Insurance Office

State lawmakers opposed to the creation of a federal Office of Insurance Information are seeking support from other state government branches, asking governors and state attorneys general to add their voices against federal OII legislation.

NAIC Supports Holocaust Insurance Act

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) commends the U.S. House Financial Services Committee for reporting out of committee H.R. 1746, the Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2008.

Feds Extend Reporting Time for Crop Insurance in Flood Areas

Federal crop insurance officials say they will allow additional time, until Aug 15, 2008, for submitting acreage reports for all 2008 crop year spring-seeded acreage in areas impacted by flooding and extreme weather conditions.

Tax measure would help flood victims

Residents hit by recent floods and storms in the Midwest could get some tax relief under a measure pending in the U.S. Senate.

Lawmakers OK Louisiana Workforce Bill

A bill backed by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal that aims to reform the state’s workforce development system won final legislative approval, the Louisiana Department of Labor announced.