Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, Feb. 19

 

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Governor Crist Highlights Top 3 Legislative Priorities

Health Care • Education • Energy & Economic Development

Governor Charlie Crist today released his top three priorities of the 2008 Legislative Session, including health care, education and energy & economic development.

Justices Turn Aside Flood Insurance Plea

The Supreme Court refused Tuesday to offer help to Hurricane Katrina victims who want their insurance companies to pay for flood damage to their homes and businesses.

OPINION: Allstate committed to finding solutions for state’s consumers

Recent events have given us cause to reflect on the commitment Allstate and Allstate Floridian have in finding solutions to the property insurance problems we all face.

Florida officials monitoring Cuba developments after Castro resignation

Florida officials are watching and waiting developments 90 miles to south in Cuba, but the surprise resignation of an ailing President Fidel Castro had not prompted an alert by mid-morning.

Insurance: Premiums are up and down for Fortenberrys

Holmes Beach artist Pam Fortenberry knows something about the crazy-quilt pattern of Florida’s property insurance crisis.

Opinion: Changing the rules for future power lines

Maybe we just need to get it over with and pass a state law that says: ‘The electric companies of Florida can do whatever they want.

ALEX SINK: OPINION: Act now to reduce risk

Assessments are taxes, and assessments in Florida are poised to shoot through the roof if our state doesn’t reduce the amount of hurricane insurance risk we carry.

Crist continues cabinet shuffle, new press secretary named

Gov. Charlie Crist has named a new press secretary, responding to the stream of changes at the very top of his administration.

EDITORIAL: Investment crisis needs more digging

The more scrutiny the state’s management of a local government investment fund receives, the more questions are raised about the handling of a crisis that could cost taxpayers millions.

Lawmaker offers bill to protect Florida’s springs

A Senate environment chair will take a smaller bite at protecting Florida’s springs after lawmakers choked on a bigger effort last year.

Portability application deadline nears

March 1 is the deadline for homestead property owners eligible for the new portability property-tax savings to file applications with their property appraisers.

Legislative bill gives county clerks authority to audit spending

Ever since her 2004 election, Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller Sharon Bock has been feuding with county administrators in a quest for more authority to audit all county government spending.

EDITORIAL: Crist doubles his bet on lotto

Governor’s latest gambit to expand gambling is the wrong play for Florida and the economy

Betting that there’s a sucker born every minute, Gov. Charlie Crist wants to vastly expand the Florida Lottery.

Legislators to consider new rules for adult arcades

One player’s arcade is another’s casino: State lawmakers will consider a crackdown on what some say is illegal gambling.

It still pains adult arcade owner Gale Fontaine to talk about her 2005 arrest on charges of running an illegal gambling operation in Broward County.

Candidate Jerry Maynard comments on District 32

QUESTION: What do you see are the three most compelling issues facing the district and how would you address them? 

Vero Beach retiree to stay in Congressional race

Candidate Michael Weiss isn’t following Republican party officials.

More insurers refuse pay for hospital errors

Medicare’s decision to stop reimbursement for treatment of preventable mistakes sparks trend.

It’s a new way to push for patient safety: Don’t pay hospitals when they commit certain errors.

 

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