Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, June 4
Jun 4, 2009
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Crist likely to veto insurance bill
Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday he likely will reject legislation allowing large national companies to charge whatever rates they wish for property insurance in Florida.
Citizens Insurance customers could see decrease in premiums, depending on location
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. officials are discussing a proposed statewide rate increase that could hike premiums for some Treasure Coast homes on the coastlines up to 5.1 percent in 2010, Citizens officials said Wednesday.
Florida workers’ comp increase rolled back
A reduction in the workers’ compensation rate is expected to save Florida employers $172 million on their premiums after it goes into effect July 1.
Florida’s insurance commissioner on Wednesday said he is rolling back a 6.4 percent workers’ compensation rate increase that went into effect April 1.
Some homeowners get a sinking feeling
If signed, bill could cancel sinkhole coverage
The blinds can be drawn, but Victoria Houser nonetheless sees the sunset in her bedroom thanks to a stair-stepping crack in the wall that descends to a sinkhole.
Crist Receives Sinkhole Loss, First Responder Bills, 12 Others
Governor Charlie Crist received 14 bills on Wednesday, and now has until June 18 to act on them.
You can’t see it, but the smell of what’s growing inside Florrie H. Miller’s home is overpowering even a few yards from the front door.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding survivors in eligible Florida counties they should not wait to settle with their insurance companies before applying for disaster loan assistance.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Floridians more prepared for storms than coastal peers, poll shows
Floridians might not be as oblivious to hurricane safety as their coastal neighbors after all, a poll unveiled Wednesday indicates.
Foreclosed, vacant houses as storm refuges for hurricane survivors?
It seemed like a good idea at the time: Why not put hurricane survivors in foreclosed homes? But it soon created its own storm as bankers warned of massive legal and financial complications.
Editorial: Worst problems from ‘cane season could be fiscal
After a very stormy May, Floridians don’t want to think about hurricane season — which started Monday.
ProtectingAmerica.Org: The climate is right for national cat fund
Florida’s homeowners would save an estimated $4.1 billion on their annual homeowners’ insurance bills if the Congress were to enact legislation endorsed by the state’s leading policymakers and embraced by President Obama. Now is the time for those same homeowners to show their support for the program.
Florida, Georgia have yet to ban texting, talking on cell phone while driving
Martin Trauger once saw a woman driving on Atlantic Boulevard during rush hour with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand, a cell phone in the other hand, smoking a cigarette while trying to control the car with her elbows.
New Fla. law expands breast cancer screening
Gov. Charlie Crist has signed a new law to expand breast cancer screening although no money has been appropriated to pay for it.
State Senator To Run For Attorney General
Aronberg Says He’s Ready To Be ‘People’s Lawyer On Day 1’
State Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, announced his candidacy for Florida attorney general Thursday morning.
Negron, Ramos to square off to replace Pruitt
Former state Rep. Joe Negron and two-time state House candidate Bill Ramos said they will focus on issues as they face off in a special election to replace state Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie.
Court overturns ruling in Lake Okeechobee pumping
A federal appeals court has reversed a judge’s ruling that Florida water managers violated the Clean Water Act by pumping contaminated water from farmland into Lake Okeechobee.
Business leaders seek road map to future
Gainesville summit pushes involvement in Florida politics.
Florida businesses of all sizes need to get involved in state politics and rally around a unified plan to influence the policies that affect them, speakers said Wednesday at a forum in Gainesville.
Business leaders seek road map to future
Gainesville summit pushes involvement in Florida politics.
Florida businesses of all sizes need to get involved in state politics and rally around a unified plan to influence the policies that affect them, speakers said Wednesday at a forum in Gainesville.
Agents Warned Of Fake Regulators’ Scam
Authorities issued a “Scam Alert” yesterday warning that imposters were posing as insurance department employees targeting agents and brokers in Nevada and California seeking confidential personal data.
Insurance Industry Chiefs Set for Treasury Meeting
As the Obama administration works to put the finishing touches on plans for a major revamp of financial services regulations, a who’s who of the sector’s top lobbyists and high-level representatives are making the rounds this week at Treasury and the White House.
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate Meets With Private Sector Representatives
Partnerships With The Business Community Critical For Effective Disaster Response & Recovery
Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate met Wednesday with senior representatives from more than two dozen private sector associations to discuss disaster preparedness, the 2009 Hurricane Season and emergency management; he is scheduled to give the U.S. Senate a status report today on preparedness for the 2009 hurricane season.
Katrina Victims Will Not Have to Vacate Trailers
Hurricane Katrina victims around the Gulf Coast who were told to vacate their temporary trailers by the end of May will instead be allowed to buy them for $5 or less, White House officials announced on Wednesday.
Planning the ‘Ike Dike’ Defense
Houston-Area Leaders Envision a 60-Mile Barrier Against Hurricane Flooding
As the Gulf Coast braces for hurricane season, Houston-area leaders are pushing a plan to build a wall stretching some 60 miles along the coast, hoping to end the annual storm threat once and for all.
New Analysis Provides Roadmap for Teen Driving Laws
States have made progress; Some laws need strengthening
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released May 7 a new analysis of teen driving laws and their effectiveness at reducing crashes.
Public Units Will Face A Surge Of Suits, Expert Warns
Public sector entities can expect more lawsuits over issues such as school violence, police brutality and global warming as the financial crisis deepens and plaintiffs look for deep pockets, experts advised.
Unresolved: How to pay for 5 Texas agencies
The Legislature has gone home, but left behind Tuesday was a disturbing prospect: Roads wont get built, parimutuel racetracks will have to shut down, and Texas insurance companies will be able to charge consumers whatever they want.
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