Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, November 5
Nov 5, 2009
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Florida’s Homeowners Choice Drops Effort to Acquire 21st Century Holding Company
Homeowners Choice, Inc., a Florida-based insurance holding company, announced today that its proposal to merge with 21st Century Holding Company expired on Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, and it has ended for now its efforts to effect the merger.
Florida Citizens’ Rate Hikes Could be Revisited
Storm Loss Fears Propel Talk of Higher Rates
A rate hike for Florida’s largest property insurance carrier is expected to take effect early next year, but there is already talk that this anticipated rate hike may be insufficient to keep Citizens Property Insurance Corp. afloat in the wake of a big storm.
Statewide crackdown on illegal contractors underway
A man in a tropical print shirt is buying a foreclosed Cooper City home for his daughter. She stands nearby, in the gutted kitchen, as her dad discusses renovations with a contractor he’s contacted through online classifieds.
Florida Senators urge lenders to give drywall victims a break
Senators from Florida, Louisiana and Virginia today urged mortgage lenders to suspend or reduce home payments for victims of tainted imported drywall.
Florida’s 352 Medicare plans: too many?
When Medicare shopping season begins Nov. 15, Florida beneficiaries who are interested in an HMO or other Medicare Advantage plan will have to drink from a fire hose to select one.
Crist wants special session on Florida commuter rail
The commuter project is seen as vital to Florida’s chances of getting federal money for a high-speed system linking Orlando and Tampa and eventually extending to Miami.
Crist orders April 6 general election to pick Wexler’s successor
Gov. Charlie Crist has ordered Feb. 2 primaries and an April 6 general election to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton.
Thrasher takes office in Florida state Senate
The veteran legislator vows to uphold the “great tradition” of Jim King.
New Sen. John Thrasher promised Wednesday to follow the example of the late Sen. Jim King as Thrasher was officially sworn into office at a ceremony in the state Capitol.
Former Florida Representative Melvin joins race to replace Sansom
Jerry Melvin wants his seat back.
- Sansom’s lawyer files motion to dismiss appeal
- Florida House committee votes to continue investigation of Sansom
Florida Representative Rachel Burgin readies for House battle
For state Rep. Rachel Burgin, it was a tough year to start a new job.
Crist calls for tougher anti-corruption laws
Gov. Charlie Crist called for the Legislature to stiffen anti-corruption laws Wednesday at a gathering of state prosecutors, even as the governor sought to distance himself from disgraced Broward lawyer and fundraiser Scott Rothstein.
What will the political fallout of Rothstein donations be in Florida?
With their scramble to return campaign contributions from Scott Rothstein, Florida politicians are hewing to the political script.
State-Federal partnership encouraged to benefit consumers
Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today joined 39 other Attorneys General in urging Congress to uphold the role of the states in enforcing consumer protection laws, should the Congress create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency.
Florida state managers: I could swear those 17,900 state-owned buildings were here somewhere
Nearly 10 months after they were ordered to create an inventory of all state-owned properties, state officials are unable to identify how many buildings the state owns and where they are.
Florida Legislators consider how to revamp Public Service Commission rules
Consensus is building in the Florida Legislature to make the Public Service Commission operate more like judges by banning commissioners and their staffers from communicating directly with the utilities they regulate.
Free Texas mediation program helps with Ike claims
The Texas Department of Insurance has launched a free mediation program to help consumers resolve claims disputes relating to Hurricane Ike, though many claimants may not be eligible because their insurers aren’t participating.
Dixon Hughes Named Among Best Accounting Firms to Work For
Dixon Hughes was recently named as one of the 2009 Best Accounting Firms to Work For by Accounting Today, a leading industry publication, and Best Companies Group.
Political Risk Premiums Rising in Response to Resource Nationalism
Political risk insurance premiums have risen across emerging markets in the last year, fuelled by rising resource nationalism and unrest linked to the financial crisis as well as a renewed concern over risk amongst investors.
5 things never to say to your insurers
Some words are red flags to insurers and using them could mean that your claim might be delayed or even denied.
1. “I think …” Never begin a statement regarding a claim with these words. If you aren’t sure, don’t guess.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com.