Capitol To Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, July 28
Jul 28, 2009
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Homeowners’ premiums may rise if State Farm cuts discounts
Some State Farm Florida Insurance policyholders could be paying as much as 45 percent more for their homeowners or condo insurance if the company is allowed to reduce or eliminate a variety of discounts it now offers.
Editorial: Don’t let State Farm gouge policyholder
So much for the good neighbor. It’s not enough, apparently, that State Farm Florida will cancel its remaining 700,000 homeowners policies over the next two years. Now the state’s largest private property insurer wants to pick the pockets of its customers one last time as it flees the state. Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty should not allow that to happen.
Gov. Crist pledges to help area tornado victims
Mary Fowler told Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday about her fear after she saw a tornado had ripped through her mobile home.
- Governor Crist Requests SBA Disaster Declaration for Volusia County
- Link to photo gallery here.
Crist, Fla. Cabinet cheered by revenue surplus
Florida has collected more money than had been forecast for the third straight month
Seminole gambling deal in Florida on hold
Negotiations over a gambling deal between the governor and Seminole Tribe have been on hold for the last two weeks as they await word on whether the House and Senate will modify their take-it or leave-it offer.
State probes South Florida foreclosure rescue firms
State regulators are pressing their case against four South Florida foreclosure rescue companies this week, as federal regulators crack down on an industry they say is taking millions from desperate homeowners but doing little or nothing for them.
Attorney General Launches Multi-Million Dollar Grant Program for Foreclosure Defense Assistance
The Florida Bar Foundation will help administer $4 million in grants to legal services applicants
Attorney General Bill McCollum and The Florida Bar Foundation today announced a new foreclosure defense assistance program, funded by money obtained by the Attorney General through a settlement with Countrywide Financial.
CIT’s woes put Florida businesses at risk
CIT Group isn’t as well-known as Bank of America, but the lender’s fight for survival could mean just as much to thousands of Florida businesses.
Syniverse expects free on-site health clinic to save it $1 million over five years
In its own twist to health care reform, Tampa-based Syniverse has opened a new on-site facility that offers free medical services to its 650 employees and their families.
Wyncrest to move forward on Florida insurance consulting acquisition
The Wyncrest Group, Inc., a niche insurance consortium, releases shareholder update on core business strategy, preliminary estimate numbers, and announces the company is moving forward the acquisition of Florida Insurance Consulting and has signed an LOI.
Nonprofit eyeglasses provider refuses to reimburse state for flagged expenses
A nonprofit group that provides eyeglasses to poor children in Florida has been ordered to reimburse more than $100,000 to the state in questionable expenses including hotel bills, legal fees and payments to a lobbyist.
Florida’s economy projected to have a slower recovery
Florida’s economy is still far from recovery, according to a new state forecast.
Florida tax base falls 15 percent
More than $360 billion leaked out of Florida property values last year, more than the entire value of Miami-Dade County.
Gerrymandered District 28 makes for confusion on early voting’s first day
The gerrymandered boundaries for state Senate District 28 caused some confusion as early voting for the Aug. 4 election kicked off Monday.
Supporters of drilling eye area off Florida’s Gulf coast
Two senators from oil-producing states have introduced legislation that would bring oil drilling to within 45 miles of Florida’s Gulf coast.
Pollution still feeding Gulf dead zone
Nutrients’ effects are reduced this year, but scientists remain wary
The dead zone — an area so low in oxygen that it hosts almost no life — still spanned 3,000 square miles when measurements were taken last week.
FPL: State’s growth calls for new gas pipeline
Florida’s population growth and economic prosperity will require a gas pipeline, angling down the peninsula from near the state line to south of the Space Coast, a Florida Power & Light Co. executive testified Monday.
Reform of derivatives market reform comes clearer
The shape of the U.S. government’s proposed crackdown on the $450-trillion over-the-counter derivatives market became clearer on Monday, with Congress poised to move forward this week on other aspects of a sweeping overhaul of U.S. financial regulation.
Senate panel discusses insurer oversight, federal office
The idea that some financial institutions are too big to be allowed to fail should be rejected “entirely,” the chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee said Tuesday.
Cash For Clunkers Program Requires Proof Of Insurance
Some consumers living in states not requiring auto insurance coverage will be unable to secure the government subsidies offered for trading in gas guzzling vehicles for low mileage ones, according to rules released for the program.
NAIC details state efforts to combat recisssions abuses
Federal Reform Proposals Would Supplement Ongoing State Effort
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is taking steps to prevent abuses associated with rescissions of medical coverage for policyholders.
Allstate drops NASCAR sponsorship
Allstate Corp., which in 2005 began a partnership with NASCAR, will drop its sponsorship of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Northbrook-based home and auto insurer confirmed Monday.
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