Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, December 9
Dec 9, 2008
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Gov. Charlie Crist said Monday that lawmakers could hold a special session in mid-January to deal with the state’s budget problems.
Panel nominates 5 judges for Fla. Supreme Court
A state panel Monday nominated five judges, including a woman and a Hispanic man for a Florida Supreme Court opening.
Last year’s hurricane season may have been relatively calm, but that didn’t stop Florida ‘s one-time “property insurer of last resort” from building up a whirlwind of growth.
A Conversation with CFO Alex Sink
Florida CFO Alex Sink recently sat down with Florida Underwriter’s Joan Collier and Gary Fineout to discuss Citizens Property Insurance Corp, the Cat Fund, and the state of the industry in general.
A Look Back at Florida Insurance In 2008
Putting together a magazine is a bit like completing a jigsaw puzzle every month: Everything has to fit, and we need to make sure that people want to view the “picture” when we’re finished. However, we have the added benefit of being able to “shave” the individual pieces a bit here and there to get them in. And we can massage the “landscape” while we work if a more evocative image begins to emerge.
Brown & Brown adds more than $100M
With its latest acquisition, Brown & Brown has added more than $100 million in agency business in 2008.
Creditors sue convicted ex-owners of Pharmed
The first in what is expected to be a series of lawsuits against Pharmed’s former principals has been filed by the bankrupt company’s creditors.
Pharmed creditors on Monday sued the company’s convicted owners, Carlos and Jorge de Céspedes, and other officers and shareholders to get back almost $106 million in dividends payments and proceeds from stock sales in 2003 and 2004.
Wasserman Schultz to head Dems’ incumbent retention
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) was handed perhaps the most important vice chairmanship in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) on Monday, taking on incumbent retention in the cycle ahead.
U.S. Sugar, Florida reach $1.3B deal
The board of directors of U.S. Sugar voted Monday to approve a $1.3-billion deal to sell 181,000 acres to the state for Everglades restoration. ‘After a lengthy day of discussions, the contract was signed, sealed and delivered unanimously by our board of directors,’ U.S. Sugar vice president Bob Coker said.
No major changes proposed for Fla. pension fund
Consultants have recommended no major investment strategy changes for Florida’s public employee pension plan although it has lost billions in the financial market meltdown.
Diaz touts Main Street plan in D.C.
Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and other leading U.S. mayors renewed their call for a MainStreet economic recovery plan this week during a trip to Washington, D.C.
Gov. Charlie Crist expressed support Monday for creating a Central Florida commuter-rail system and said he probably will play a more active role in the debate about the issue.
Florida Dems want Gov. Crist to repay $430,000, after Sun Sentinel watchdog report
Governor, can you spare $430,000?
The Florida Democratic Party wants Gov. Charlie Crist to repay the state that amount for a trade mission he took this summer to London, Paris, St. Petersburg and Madrid.
Former Florida Rep. Bob Allen, convicted of soliciting oral sex from cop, loses another appeal
A former Republican lawmaker convicted of soliciting an undercover officer for oral sex has lost another appeal.
Foreclosed homes open on tax rolls
In a departure from standing practice, some sales of foreclosed homes will be fair game as county property appraisers assess values for the 2009 tax rolls, a state Department of Revenue official said Monday.
South Florida’s Tri-Rail is nation’s second-fastest-growing commuter rail
Tri-Rail was the second fastest growing commuter rail system in the United States in the third quarter, the American Public Transportation Association said Monday.
U.S. Attorney: Not alleging Obama knew of Illinois Governor’s plan
The U.S. Attorney in Chicago says his office is making “no allegations” that President-elect Barack Obama was aware of any alleged scheming by arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
GAO Study: Flood Program Premiums Do Not Adequately Reflect Flood Risk
Premiums charged by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are inadequate to cover the risk and the program should re-examine its methods for setting rates, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Insurer Solvency, Consumers Remain NAIC Focus
The new National Association of Insurance Commissioners president said the group’s focus in the coming year will be on the interconnected issues of insurers’ solvency and consumer protection.
Georgia: No Single Formula for Insurers Handling Diminished Value Claims
Georgia Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine has issued a directive informing automobile insurance companies in Georgia about the proper handling of diminished value claims.
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