Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, January 11
Jan 11, 2011
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Judges move to new chambers, request mold and asbestos testing at courthouse
Requests come just one month after Judge Cheryl Alemán’s unexpected death from aggressive form of lung cancer.
Worried that Judge Cheryl Alemán’s surprising death last month from lung cancer may be linked to mold or asbestos contamination in the aged Broward County Courthouse, three judges have moved their chambers and requested environmental testing.
Another bill looks to restructure Florida’s health care-related agencies
A week after state Representative. Janet Adkins, R – Fernandina Beach, filed a bill that would eliminate four health care-related state agencies and place their responsibilities under a newly created department, another bill filed Monday aims to take contract oversight away from many of the same agencies.
Senators Hold First Immigration Meeting
Legislators warned to avoid constitutional pitfalls of Arizona law
Florida senators held the first in a series of meetings dealing with illegal immigration Monday, with the goal of crafting legislation that will help the state enforce immigration laws and reduce social costs.
Florida sued for failing to raise minimum wage
Two legal groups sued Florida’s labor agency Monday, claiming the state failed to raise the state’s minimum wage by six cents per hour this year to keep up with inflation.
Florida groups file suit against Environmental Protection Agency
The Florida League of Cities and Florida Stormwater Association have joined a growing number of entities filing lawsuits against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over new nutrient regulations for Florida’s waters.
Florida Public Service Commission rejects Florida Power & Light excess profits set-aside
The state Public Service Commission has rejected a staff recommendation for Florida Power & Light Co. to set aside $400 million for possible refunds due to excess profits.
Florida Climbs to No. 5 on U.S. School Report Card
The “Quality Counts” survey, released Tuesday, ranked Florida No. 5 in the nation on a variety of indicators, ranging from student achievement to teacher professionalism to school finance.
Central Florida Food-Stamp Growth ‘staggering’ – Now 1 in 6 Relies on Help
About one in every six Central Floridians now relies on food stamps to subsist – a rate that has ballooned by nearly 185 percent since the start of the recession.
Florida Environmental groups back off criticism of agency merger
Environmentalists on Monday issued growth management recommendations to state leaders but stopped short of criticizing a proposal by Governor Rick Scott’s transition team to merge state growth management and environmental protection agencies into a new “Department of Growth Leadership.”
Public airing of “Taj Mahal” courthouse costs set
The state agency in charge of building a new courthouse for the 1st District Court of Appeal is being asked to produce proof of expenditures in public meetings.
Debate Over Pension Reform Heats Up
Union official complains of ‘myths’ and ‘radical’ changes
The stakes were raised Monday in the debate over reforming Florida’s public pension system, as one union official decried the proposed “radical” changes and the “myths” public officials expound whenever they talk about the system.
Expanded gambling may get more discussion from Florida’s new leaders
Get ready for a lot of talk about more gambling in Florida. But it might take awhile before you have more places to plunk down a bet.
Caution urged on Florida Governor Scott’s plan to combine agencies
Groups don’t want growth incentives at expense of environment
Carefully crafting their language to emphasize cooperation over conflict, a coalition of environmental and planning organizations said Monday they want newly elected Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature to create jobs but not devastate the environment along the way.
Republicans Spent Big to Win in Florida
Just before and after its big win at the polls in November, the Florida Republican Party collected big and spent even bigger: $9.4 million.
Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor To Lead Ohio Department Of Insurance
In one of his first official acts after being sworn-in, Governor John Kasich appointed Lt. Governor Mary Taylor to be director of the Ohio Department of Insurance.
Immediately following the announcement, Kasich signed an Executive Order creating the Common Sense Initiative to lead a transformation of Ohio’s regulatory policies and named Taylor to lead the effort.
Tennessee Governor Haslam Names Julie Mix McPeak Commerce and Insurance Commissioner
Tennessee Governor-elect Bill Haslam today announced Nashville insurance regulatory attorney Julie Mix McPeak as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Wants Answers from USAA
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney wants more information about USAA insurance company’s decision to drop wind coverage from 1,550 homeowner policies in the three Coast counties, beginning with renewals Feb. 1.
Slidell area residents urged to check
Officials with St. Tammany Parish’s 1st Fire Protection District are advising Slidell area homeowners to take a close look at their home insurance premiums in the wake of several reports of properties being improperly assessed by insurers.
Minnesota Representative Bachmann Seeks To Repeal Dodd-Frank
Representative Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., plans to introduce legislation repealing the Dodd-Frank financial services law, calling it “misguided” and a “blatant abuse of power.”
Allstate Phases Out Your Choice Auto Program in California
Allstate Insurance has agreed to stop selling “Your Choice Auto” insurance program in California, in response to a challenge brought by the nonprofit Consumer Watchdog.
Progressive Insurance expands usage-based discount program to Texas
Progressive Insurance today will launch Snapshot, the next phase of its usage-based insurance discount, in Texas.
Outlook Negative For Commercial Lines, Says A.M. Best
Due to the continued wearing down of loss reserves in the insurance industry, A.M. Best Co. sees the potential for downward rating pressure, especially in the commercial segment
Former Wisconsin Commissioner Dilweg Takes Job At CUNA Mutual
Former Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner Sean Dilweg was named vice president, product executive of Madison, Wisconsin-based CUNA Mutual Group
Insurance Information Institute President Hartwig: Insurance Industry On The Mend
While the entire year’s results are not in yet, the insurance industry should show significant financial gains for 2010 and its performance will be the best it has experienced since the beginning of the financial crisis, said an industry observer.
Dixon Hughes PLLC and Goodman & Company LLP announced on January 10, 2011 that they will merge their firms and affiliated entities effective March 1.
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