Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, December 14

Dec 14, 2010

 

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Southwest Florida Water Management District Seeking Regulatory Work-Around to Prevent Sinkholes

Dover, Plant City farmers urged to conserve water during freezes

The Southwest Florida Water Management District today voted to impose harsher watering restrictions on farmers during freezes. The rules are designed to prevent sinkholes and dry wells in Dover and Plant City.

 

Businesses face steep tax hike

Florida unemployment compensation taxes increasing from $25 to $72 for some companies

Florida businesses are about to feel more sticker shock from a jobless recovery.

 

New revenue estimate could add $1 billion to budget gap

Florida lawmakers got more bad budget news Tuesday as state economists reduced their estimate of general revenue collections for the current and next fiscal years.

 

Florida Public Service Commission approves 2-year FPL rate freeze

Base rates paid by customers of Florida Power & Light Co., the state’s largest electric utility, will be frozen for the next two years under an agreement approved Tuesday.

 

House member among those seeking top job at Department of Transportation

Rep. Rich Glorioso, a former U.S. Air Force pilot who oversaw transportation spending the last two years in the House, is one of 28 initial applicants seeking to become the next secretary of the Department of Transportation.

 

Rick Scott raises $2 million for inaugural party so far

Incoming Gov. Rick Scott has $2 million on hand to celebrate his inauguration. And more cash is on the way.

 

Blog:  Update on Republican Party of Florida Chair race–Haridopolos makes his appointments to executive committee

Senate President Mike Haridopolos named his 10 appointments to the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Florida.

 

Blog:  Democratic Deputy Whip assignments announced

In preparation for the 2011-2012 legislative term, House Democratic Leader Ron Saunders (D-Key West) today joined Democratic Whip Evan Jenne (D-Dania Beach) in announcing several leadership assignments in the House Democratic Caucus.

 

Blog:  Top Cannon staffer will head up Rubio’s state offices

Todd Reid is leaving the Florida House to become state director for Sen. Marco Rubio.

 

Audubon calls for more agricultural pollution controls to clean up Lake Okeechobee

A new plan to clean up Lake Okeechobee water pollution doesn’t go far enough and needs to include more limits on agriculture and other polluting landowners, according to Audubon of Florida.

 

Hillsborough lawmakers consider axing agency regulating cabs

A little-known agency that regulates taxis, wreckers and limousines could face elimination depending on what Hillsborough County legislators decide at their annual delegation meeting today.

 

Florida’s DNA Database puts more Criminals behind Bars in November says Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Florida’s DNA Database is helping to solve more crimes, having recorded the highest number of hits in November since its inception over twenty years ago, FDLE said on Monday.

 

Report:  Florida’s Worst Schools Aren’t Improving

While one-quarter of low-performing charters closed over five years, 205 failing district campuses remain open

Florida’s lowest-performing schools are staying open, and they’re not turning around, a new study reports.

 

National Conference of State Legislatures Vote Solidifies Support For National Conference of Insurance Legislators SLIMPACT Plan

The National Conference of State Legislatures voted unanimously to pass a resolution supporting The National Conference of Insurance Legislators’ interstate compact plan designed to implement the surplus lines reform law passed by Congress earlier this year.

 

Dodd-Frank Swaps:  Some Roads Lead to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Insurers and insurer groups have sent a number of delegations to talk to Commodity Futures Trading Commission officials about implementing the new swaps rules.

 

Shush!  Stifle Your Posts About the Guaranty Fund

New York State Insurance Department officials have emphasized their opposition to the idea of agents and brokers even trying to explain what the Life Insurance Company Guaranty Corp. is.

 

With the DriveMeCrazy app, users can report bad drivers

The iPhone application is an effort to use peer pressure to bring greater civility and safety to the nation’s roads, entrepreneur says

Philip Inghelbrecht and other entrepreneurs at the intersection of traffic and technology are giving a new meaning to the phrase “mobile app.”

 

 

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