Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, August 31
Aug 31, 2010
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Judgement for Citizens Upheld Over Plaintiff’s Failure to Submit to Examination Under Oath
The First District Court of Appeal upheld a trial court judgement today in favor of Citizens Property Insurance because the plaintiff failed to appear for an examination under oath, despite repeated attempts by Citizens to contact her at her address of record for the purpose of scheduling the examination.
Sarasota lifts state of emergency
Sarasota County officials on Tuesday lifted the local state of emergency declared in May in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Editorial: Get real with flood insurance
Without it, growth in much of Florida and other coastal areas might never have happened.
Five plead guilty to $37M Medicare fraud
A South Florida doctor, clinic owner and five nurses pleaded guilty on Tuesday to participating in a multimillion-dollar Medicare fraud scheme.
MBF launches $20M fund for health care startup investment
Coral Gables-based MBF Healthcare Ventures has launched a $20 million fund to invest in startup health care companies in Florida. Mike Fernandez, who founded and later sold Physician Healthcare Plans and Care Plus Health, leads the private equity firm.
HCA Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point makes Forbes “Most Profitable Hospital” list
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson ranked No. 13 on Forbes’ list of America’s most profitable hospitals.
Blog: Florida Supremes drop-kick redistricting, health-care, and property-tax amendments
The Florida Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld lower-court decisions to remove three legislatively drafted constitutional amendments dealing with property tax breaks, redistricting and the federal health-care reform from the Nov. 2 ballot.
Oil spill special session not likely
As a House panel wrapped up its work on Monday, chances for a September oil spill special session appeared to be slim and none.
Blog: Chiles expected to withdraw from governor’s race
It appears that Bud Chiles’ days as a candidate for governor are numbered.
Florida bank losses deepen to $263M
While the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. trumpeted the news that national bank earnings were the highest in nearly three years, Florida banks continued taking a beating in the second quarter.
CFO Sink orders audit of ‘Taj Mahal’ courthouse finances
A preliminary review of funding for the “Taj Mahal” courthouse indicates the 1st District Court of Appeal may have spent money initially appropriated for other purposes and got $16 million in a raid on the state’s Workers’ Compensation Trust Fund, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Monday.
The South Florida Water Management District should not have to finish an Everglades restoration reservoir shelved by its land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp., according to a report to a federal judge filed Monday.
Fitch rates Orlando revenue bonds AA+
Fitch Ratings has assigned an AA+ rating to the city of Orlando’s $42 million in non ad valorem revenue bonds, series 2010C.
State opens HVAC rebate program
The Florida ENERGY STAR Residential HVAC Rebate Program started Aug. 30 and continues until Dec. 31, or until the $15 million set aside for the program runs out.
Blog: Six Florida metro areas on Housing-Mortgage Stress Index
The Daily Beast has created a Housing-Mortgage Stress Index.
Judge denies motion to freeze Crist’s campaign funds
A Collier County judge has denied an emergency motion that would have affected Governor Charlie Crist’s senate campaign war chest.
Scott, GOP make a show of unity
Eager to put a nasty primary campaign behind them, Republicans descended on Orlando on Monday for a political group hug designed to show voters that all is well in the state GOP
- Who’s Ready for 15 Minutes of Fame? Scott to Choose Lieutenant Governor
- Rick Scott’s coming after those state lobbyists who … lobby the state
Blog: Cannon offers Republican hopefuls a few lessons on state time
Rep. Dean Cannon, the Winter Park Republican who has been designated the next House speaker, organized a private little training session in Tallahassee last week for about 30 House Republican candidates who survived the primary.
21.9% of state’s registered voters in cast ballots in primary, final figures show
Final turnout figures for the primary election are in: statewide, the 2.43 million votes cast were 21.9 percent of registered voters, according to the state Division of Elections.
Smoking access divides Florida casino patrons
One casino boasts that it is endorsed by the American Lung Association. Its main competitor has so much smoke that patrons sometimes wear surgical masks.
In Florida, bear trouble is on the rise
It was not too long ago that Florida was desperate to save the black bear.
Judge orders Rothstein to forfeit half of prison wages
Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein would have to be the highest paid federal prison worker in the country if he ever hopes to repay the $363 million he owes to his hundreds of bilked investors.
Private Market Considers Bolting From Flood Insurance
Private insurance companies participating in National Flood Insurance Program are reconsidering their participation after Congressional stalling and massive losses are putting its future in doubt.
New York Agent Group Optimistic On Further Producer Compensation Clarification
A Professional Insurance Agents of New York representative said she believes state regulators will make some producer compensation guidance language changes after a meeting was held to discuss a draft circular letter on a planned compensation disclosure regulation.
Surplus Lines Bills Await Schwarzenegger’s Signature
The California Legislature has passed two surplus lines insurance bills that have been sent to Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Study: Compound Drugs, Co-Packs Increase California Workers’ Compensation Costs
The use of compound drugs, medical foods, and so-called convenience packs that combine prescription drugs and medical foods, increased dramatically in the second quarter of 2007 — driving up costs in the state’s workers’ compensation system, according to a new study.
Five Years After Katrina, Whistle-Blower Suit Still Spinning
State Farm has recently filed court motions to dismiss the whistle-blower lawsuit filed against it by Cori and Kerri Rigsby-sisters who worked for a private adjusting firm following Hurricane Katrina.
Could Hurricane Betting Make You Money?
Online Trading Platform Lets You Place Bets on Hurricane Landfall
Want to make a buck betting on where the wind blows?
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