Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, Mar. 11
Mar 11, 2008
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Florida Congressman: Law Critical to Challenged Homeowners’ Markets
The federal government must help stabilize homeowners’ markets challenged by natural catastrophes, said U.S. Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fla., at a National Conference of Insurance Legislators meeting in Washington, DC.
AIG Private Client Group, a division of the personal lines property and casualty insurance subsidiaries of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), today announced the expansion of its Hurricane Protection Unit(R) to serve its policyholders in Hillsborough County, Florida; Nassau County, New York; and Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.
Tax commission members missing work
Heralded by lawmakers and Gov. Charlie Crist as potential saviors in the property tax crisis, some members of the Taxation and Budget Review Commission are facing a far simpler challenge of showing up for meetings.
My Safe Florida Home Inspection Program Uses Humor to Spotlight Money-Saving Benefits
The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) today launched a statewide public awareness campaign highlighting MySafeFloridaHome.com—a Web site where Floridians can apply online for a free wind inspection and learn how to strengthen their homes against hurricanes and windstorm damage.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ‘Good riddance’ to State Farm?
Gov. Charlie Crist is reported to have said “good riddance” when State Farm announced that it would not be writing any new policies in Florida. Not a sensible statement.
Sasso hits the ground legislating
New lawmaker presents 6 bills
As spring break gets under way across Florida, the state’s newest legislator wants to increase penalties for repeatedly serving booze to underage drinkers.
Indiana Passes Ban on Accident Response Fees; Legislation Introduced in Florida and Georgia
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) sent a letter to Gov. Mitch Daniels urging him to sign legislation (SB 81) that would prohibit local governments from charging fees for responding to traffic accidents.
FEMA standards slow shelter project
Nearly two years ago, Pasco secured up to $7.6-million to build a regional hurricane shelter that could withstand winds up to 160 mph.
Linda Cox, former legislator from Fort Lauderdale, dies at 61
Linda Cox, a former state legislator from Fort Lauderdale who served three terms in the state House of Representatives as a Democrat, died Monday afternoon after suffering a stroke. She was 61.
OPINION: Idea No. 101: Keep Rubio Visible
Political history is scattered with former lawmakers who were wined-and-dined in Tallahassee and then forgotten-and-ignored when they left office.
Namesake Web site angers candidate
Ron Stump has leased JasonSteele.com and is using it to list 16 liens and lawsuits filed against Steele.
Jason Steele is running for Florida House District 31, but if you’re searching the Internet for the Republican candidate’s good points and campaign promises, “jasonsteele.com” is the last place he wants you to look.
House stalls Senate Medicaid bill
Legislative leaders agreed Monday afternoon to postpone a decision —at least temporarily — on saving $340 million next year by freezing annual increases to Medicaid providers, according to the Florida Health Care Association.
But U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan said that with Republicans in the minority, such promotions can take on some significance.
After being appointed ranking member on the tax and finance subcommittee of the Small Business Committee, the Longboat Key Republican put out a statement touting his newly earned influence over legislation affecting Florida’s small businesses and their workers.
Sen. Clinton Pushing Wind Cover In Flood Program
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., who is pushing to add wind coverage to the National Flood Insurance Program, has written the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, urging him to support that change.
Buyout Industry Staggers Under Weight of Debt
With their big paydays and bigger egos, private equity moguls came to symbolize an era of hyper-wealth on Wall Street. Celebrated buyout firms like the Blackstone Group and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Company, hailed only a year ago for their deal-making prowess, are seeing their profits collapse as the credit crisis spreads through the financial markets.
Judge Dismisses Federal Wal-Mart Life Insurance Suit
A judge dismissed a federal lawsuit Monday brought by a Tampa man against Wal-Mart over life insurance policies the company took out on his late wife and thousands of other rank-and-file employees.
Expect Consolidation in Nonstandard Auto Insurance Market, Conning Says
The nonstandard auto insurance market is being redefined by the influence of technology and other external forces, according to a new study by Conning Research and Consulting.
Conflicts Arising in Federal Rulings in Louisiana Hurricane Cases
Conflicting rulings by federal judges in New Orleans and in Lake Charles are having major effects on how much money homeowners can collect on damage from the 2005 hurricanes, and there is no quick end to the conflict in sight.
2 Insurers Apply for Final Round of Louisiana Incentive Grants
Two insurance companies have applied for the final round of grants as part of a program aimed at getting more insurers to write policies in south Louisiana.
Unlicensed La. Agency Employee Fined, Told to ‘Cease and Desist’
An insurance agency employee in the Zachary, La., area has been issued a cease and desist order and fine notice for acting as an agent without a license, misappropriation of insurance premiums and forgery, according to the Louisiana Department of Insurance.
Georgia Insurance Commissioner: Consumers Lose if Law Passes
Geogia Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine expressed “profound disappointment” last week after auto insurance rates legislation (Senate Bill 276), as amended by the House, passed both bodies of the Georgia General Assembly.
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