Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, August 17
Aug 17, 2010
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Buildings bolster Pinellas County’s hurricane plans
The year 2004 was a wakeup call for Floridians and residents of Pinellas County.
South Florida roofer leaves long trail of lawsuits, unpaid bills
Roofer Gregory Haddox followed Hurricane Wilma to the tarp-covered homes of South Florida. Soon after, in 2006, he was jailed because he had no license.
Cape family finally ridding home of Chinese drywall
A Cape Coral family is taking the final steps to escape the effects of Chinese drywall.
Column: Red-light camera tickets in South Florida city drop with new law
Mercifully, at least one South Florida city has stepped on the brakes when it comes to overzealous enforcement at red-light camera intersections.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Co-Sponsors Resolution Preserving the Role of Health Insurance Agents
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced the NAIC has adopted a resolution that he co-sponsored demonstrating the NAIC’s commitment to preserving the role of health insurance agents.
Alex Sink will choose former state senator Rod Smith as running mate
Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink will choose a former state attorney and Gainesville state senator Rod Smith to be her running mate for governor in a pre-primary announcement Thursday in West Palm Beach.
Crist camp returns $10,000 to Greer
Gov. Charlie Crist’s independent U.S. Senate campaign is refunding nearly $10,000 to Jim Greer after the indicted former Republican Party chairman asked for the money to help pay for his legal defense.
Bankrate: Florida 12th-costliest for home closings
Florida is the 12th-costliest state for closing on a home, according to a new study released by Bankrate.
Nine lawmakers, including members of both parties, are going to bat for the private vendor that prints the Florida Drivers Handbook and asking the state Highway Safety agency to stop its court fight aimed at letting the contract lapse and opening the printing job up to other vendors or doing it in-house.
Edward Jones brokerages plans to add 120 Tampa Bay area offices over next 10 years
Edward Jones plans to more than double its size here, adding more than 120 financial service branches in the bay area in the next 10 years, including up to 75 in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, the brokerage firm said Monday.
Florida Public Service Commission approves refund for Tampa Electric Co. customers
Tampa Electric Co. will refund $24 million to retail customers through a one-time credit on their bills.
Florida Public Service Commission approves higher natural gas rebates
The Florida Public Service Commission has increased cash rebates by up to $150 in some cases for buying or retaining efficient natural gas appliances to encourage conservation.
Nine seek historic House seat replacing Kendrick Meek
The crowded race to replace Kendrick Meek is about more than winning a rare open seat to Congress.
The University of Miami has pulled an upset in the annual U.S. News & World Report college rankings.
Lowe’s Chinese drywall settlement draws more flak
Criticism of a Lowe’s Cos. Inc. settlement in a class-action lawsuit over defective drywall is mounting.
Credit Scoring Takes Center Stage At NAIC Committee Hearing
Regulators’ interest in insurers’ use of credit-based insurance scores produced lively reaction from insurance association representatives and a consumer advocate during a committee meeting on property and casualty insurance issues.
Congress’ Failure On NFIP Endangers Carrier Participation
An official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency told insurance commissioners that Congress’ failure at long-term renewal of the National Flood Insurance Program could jeopardize the participation of carriers in the program.
Gulf Coast States’ Post-Katrina Building Code Efforts Lacking
Among the states most affected by Hurricane Katrina five years ago, only Louisiana has taken decisive steps to adopt a statewide building code, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety.
FEMA official: Congress’ Failure On National Flood Insurance Program Endangers Carrier Participation
An official with the Federal Emergency Management Agency told insurance commissioners that Congress’ failure at long-term renewal of the National Flood Insurance Program could jeopardize the participation of carriers in the program.
Regulator Seeks Authority To Get Info On Non-Insurance Entities
Looking to avoid a repeat of the problems that nearly took down American International Group, a regulator said insurance commissioners are looking to state legislators to provide authority to obtain information about a holding company’s non-insurance entities.
New Laws on Louisiana’s Books Include Tougher Penalties for Texting
More than 650 new laws took effect in Louisiana this week, including revisions to existing statutes and arcane adjustments of insurance and health care regulations.
Louisiana Law Reminds Residents To Seek Insurance Rebates
A new Louisiana law to encourage residents to seek refunds from the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. took effect this week, along with another insurance-related law increasing the amount paid on claims covered by the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association.
Gulf State Insurance Information Center Web site Aims to Educate Consumers
The insurer-funded, nonprofit Gulf State Insurance Information Center has launched a new Web site – www.GulfStateInsuranceCenter.org – to serve as a repository of information on insurance issues impacting Louisiana. The information available on the site will be specifically about auto, homeowners and business insurance.
When Doctors Admit Mistakes, Fewer Malpractice Suits Result, Study Says
Michigan hospital finds an apology, offer of compensation led fewer patients to sue
When doctors make mistakes, admitting the error, saying “I’m sorry” and offering compensation may go a long way toward preventing malpractice lawsuits, new research shows.
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