Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, May 14
May 14, 2009
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SBA OKs Fla. Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Rule
A state board has approved an emergency rule designed to protect the state from up to $20 billion in losses if the state gets hit by a devastating hurricane.
Florida Agents, Consumer Advocate Agree: Insurance Rates Must Go Up
With the start of the hurricane season just a few weeks away, a leading Florida consumer advocate joined independent agents at a press conference today to warn that property insurance rates need to be raised if insurers are going to be able to pay claims on time or at all in the event a major hurricane hits.
Florida Cabinet Balks at Auto Insurance Rule
The three Florida Cabinet members, each a declared or potential candidate for governor, on Wednesday refused to block auto insurers from charging new policyholders higher premiums if they’ve been in accidents that weren’t their fault.
Agriculture Commissioner To Visit Wildfires, Update Firefighting Effort
As brush fire battles continued in Central Florida, Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson was expected to meet with emergency crews on Thursday before addressing the media on the effort to battle the wildfires.
Cabinet to tighten oversight of Florida’s investment portfolio
Florida’s top three elected officials, led by Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, agreed Wednesday to take a more frequent and direct role overseeing the state’s $118 billion investment portfolio.
New President Named for Brown & Brown subsidiary American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services
American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daytona Beach-based Brown & Brown Inc., has named Tony L. Wittwer president of the Roanoke, Indiana-based sports, motorsports and recreation specialty insurance company.
Florida’s local storm responders told not to wait for FEMA
Craig Fugate’s promotion to head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency was celebrated Wednesday by the first responders, community organizations and emergency management officials he formerly led in Florida.
State’s new emergency manager: Florida must prepare for hurricane season
Ruben Almaguer wants to stop calling the people who make it through hurricanes “victims.”
Editorial: WellCare scandal shows need for accountability
Not long ago the mantra in Tallahassee was that the private sector could do no wrong and government could do nothing right.
Life-changing legislation awaits governor’s signature
Gov. Charlie Crist may sign a legislation that would enable Floridians under the age of 65 on Medicare, because of disability or kidney disease, to acquire supplemental insurance the same as Medicare beneficiaries over 65 can and not be turned down because of existing medical conditions.
U.S. Sugar Everglades land deal approved — but obstacles remain
South Florida water managers overwhelmingly approved a scaled-down version of Gov. Charlie Crist’s land deal with U.S. Sugar. But legal and financial barriers lie ahead.
Gov. Charlie Crist’s bid to buy a massive swath of farmland for Everglades restoration won final approval Wednesday, with water managers endorsing a smaller, more affordable version of the controversial deal.
Republican Party of Florida: Charlie Crist Signs Americans for Tax Reform Pledge
Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), which commits signers to “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses … and oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”
Sink, McCollum turn up early heat in governors race
With their political options widened, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and Attorney General Bill McCollum wasted no time Wednesday ramping up their 2010 rivalry for governor.
Senate run may imperil governor’s agenda
In two years, Gov. Charlie Crist has reshaped what it means to be a Republican governor in this state by taking strong bipartisan steps that changed the face of taxes, property insurance and environmental policies.
Speculation abounds after Crist announces Senate bid; Northwest Florida politicos say they have no aspirations
State Sen. Don Gaetz reckoned there were probably 35 people in Florida who woke up Wednesday, looked in the mirror and said, “Good morning, governor.”
Former Senator Rod Smith mulls attorney general run
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink’s announcement Wednesday that she’s running for governor might be just the start of a shake-up in the state Cabinet; Rod Smith, a Gainesville attorney and former state senator, said Wednesday he’s considering running for state attorney general.
Senate candidate Marco Rubio pushes tax overhaul
A day after Gov. Charlie Crist entered the 2010 U.S. Senate race and made Marco Rubio the underdog, Rubio wowed an audience of Broward Republicans with his call for a new form of conservatism that rewards entrepreneurship.
Editorial: U.S. Senate race may be a contest for GOP’s soul
In what surely will be a bruising fight between Gov. Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio for the U.S. Senate, keep your eyes on Jeb Bush.
State Insurance Regulators Say Health Care Reform Must Address Costs
Testifying on behalf of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger stressed that any health care reform out of Washington must address soaring costs.
Insurers Contributed $35.7 Million to Members of Congress Since 2005
Auto, Home and Other Insurers Pushing Deregulation Proposal To Opt Out of State Rate Regulation, Consumer Protections
Auto, home, business and life insurance companies contributed $35,743,017 million to members of Congress during the last two election cycles, according to an analysis released today by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Consumer Watchdog.
Banks With Insurance Units Had Higher Income
A New York research group announced that a study has found banks with some insurance activity had 2008 median net income nearly 70 percent higher than banks without insurance involvement.
Coast Guard Puts Out Pirate Security Directive To Shippers
The Coast Guard has ordered that by May 25, U.S.-flagged vessels that sail in “high-risk waters” must develop anti-piracy plans for keeping watch and evading pirate attacks that have sent maritime insurance rates soaring.
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