Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, May 29
May 29, 2008
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Crist signs revamped insurance package into law
Gov. Charlie Crist signed new property insurance legislation Wednesday that extends a rate freeze for about 1.2 million customers of state-backed Citizens Insurance, while vetoing a portion that critics say puts more pressure on residents if a major hurricane strikes.
Crist signs ‘homeowners’ bill of rights’
Gov. Charlie Crist signed into law Wednesday beefed-up penalties for insurers that violate state regulations and an extended freeze on ‘s rates.
Crist extends freeze on Citizens’ rates
Gov. Charlie Crist signed an extensive insurance bill that enchances protections for homeowners and freezes rates for Citizens Property Insurance, the state-run insurer for one more year.
EDITORIAL: The Florida Revelation . . .
Republicans in Congress may be out of gas, but that doesn’t mean conservative ideas aren’t percolating elsewhere, and even on the supposedly Democratic stronghold of health care.
Former Poe insurance customers face Monday deadline to file claim or sue
If you’re a former customer of one of the Poe companies that went bust after the 2004 and 2004 hurricanes, you must settle your claim or file a lawsuit by the end of the day Monday.
COLUMN: Matt Reed–Insurance legislation is working
The numbers are in.
And they show Florida’s home insurance market isn’t nearly the disaster insurance lobbyists and executives scared us about back in 2004-05.
State poised to sue 3 securities brokers
The State Board of Administration — still battling the fallout from its purchases of more than $2billion in downgraded securities — is preparing to sue the three mega-brokerages that sold it the bad debt.
Poll: Residents aren’t ready for a hurricane
An alarming number of Floridians and residents of other hurricane-prone states do not have survival kits or plans for getting through a storm, according to a poll released Thursday.
Without Tax Holiday, Crist Turns to Bully Pulpit
With the state coffers running on fumes, Gov. Charlie Crist is leaning more heavily than ever on the bully pulpit as the next Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1.
Money available to repair Wilma-weary homes
There is still money available to repair or replace homes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Wilma, according to Jeff Oris, Martin County Community Development director.
FEMA studying options for emergency housing
Disaster victims might one day watch their homes and communities be rebuilt from the cool comfort of a front porch.
FEMA closing trailer parks on eve of hurricane season
The federal government has plenty of reasons to move hundreds of families out of trailers they have occupied since Hurricane Katrina: the start of a new hurricane season, concerns about toxic fumes and the need for residents to find permanent homes.
Environmental group’s report warns state of ocean changes
Surrounded on three sides by water, Florida could face wide-ranging impacts from global warming and sea level rise.
Taxpayers will take a hit if storm levels hockey arena
If a hurricane destroys the BankAtlantic Center, home of hockey’s Florida Panthers, Broward taxpayers will be on the hook for any damage over $150 million because the arena is underinsured.
OP-ED: Understand your storm coverage
After 25 plus years in the insurance business, I am finally realizing there are a number of wrong assumptions on the part of the typical insurance consumer.
Crist: McCain cookout purely social event
To hear Gov. Charlie Crist tell it, he was just dropping in on an old friend on Memorial Day to share small talk and stand around the barbecue.
EDITORIAL: CRIST ON THE TICKET? Look at complete record
All across Florida, even some of Gov. Crist’s strongest supporters must be asking themselves, “Charlie for vice president?”
To imagine that the governor could progress in 13 years from “Chain Gang Charlie” to second in line for the White House is astonishing and somewhat terrifying.
State House candidate cries foul saying Rep. Carl Domino violated state law
When Democratic state House hopeful Bryan Miller wanted to debate state Rep. Carl Domino, R-Jupiter, about a new “guns-to-work” law, his letter suggesting possible dates landed in Domino’s legislative office.
Jennings, House leader blast Bush
For the second time in less than a week, a top Democrat swung into town to stump for Congressional District 13 hopeful Christine Jennings and assail the Bush administration’s policies on a key economic issue.
A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit by two Tampa Democratic Party activists challenging the national party’s ban on the Florida Democratic convention delegation.
Supreme Court Retaliation Ruling Could Expose Employers
A Supreme Court ruling allowing employees to file suit under a Reconstruction Era civil rights law claims retaliation by employers may expose those employers to more severe judgments, according to employment practices attorneys.
AmCOMP said it has postponed the meeting during which its stockholders were to vote on a proposed merger with a subsidiary of Employers Holdings.
New Fabric Shield(R) Hurricane Shutter Technology A Boon to Women and Seniors
As the 2008 hurricane season draws near, the relative quiet of the last two hurricane seasons has many wondering: will 2008 be a repeat of the deadly 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, or will residents be spared destruction with another quiet year?
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