Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, Mar. 4
Mar 4, 2008
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Above: The Florida Legislature convenes today for the 2008 Regular Legislative Session.
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Legislators Open Session With Mandate To Cut Budget
State leaders this legislative session will grapple with the worst budget crunch that Florida has seen since the early 1990s.
As budget cuts await the state Legislature, Crist faces a hard sell.
It will take all the optimism Gov. Charlie Crist can muster in his State of the State speech tonight to put a happy face on the Florida Legislature’s 2008 session.
Democrats bash Republicans on taxes, spending
Before Day One of the 60-day state lawmaking session began under stormy skies, Democrats sought to make the times even darker for the Republicans who control the Legislature on Tuesday by bashing the conservative chiefs for mismanaging the economy, the state budget and, therefore, Florida’s future.
Senate president charts safe course for session
No ”major” insurance revisions or tax-cut plans.
Panels reject Crist’s backup-fund plea
Gov. Charlie Crist postponed his annual state of the state speech Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. on the chance that more people might tune in to the public television broadcast to learn how, as he describes it, ”to continue strengthening Florida’s families, schools and economy.”
Insurance companies continue to drop Central Florida homeowners
Without much warning, thousands of Central Floridians have received the same notice from their homeowners insurance companies: You’ve been dropped.
The messages have come to people who have never filed a homeowners claim and to some who have.
AIA: We’ll Push To Cut Fla. Catastrophe Fund
The American Insurance Association said when the Florida legislature reconvenes tomorrow it will be supporting a bill designed to cut the size of the state-operated reinsurance fund.
Potential legislative budget cuts
Here’s a look at some of the budget cuts under consideration:
Legislators place their bets on gambling
Grim state finances could create a golden opportunity for pro-gaming lawmakers hoping to gain ground in a state once known as an anti-gambling stronghold.
Lawmakers’ proposals would end the collection of both retirement and salary checks.
Stung by angry cries from citizens, state lawmakers are drafting bills that could put an end to future double-dipping by some members of the state retirement system.
Money is so scarce in Tallahassee, legislative budget leaders issued an edict late last year: No hometown projects. Here are the monies our legislators requested:
It looks like the Florida Legislature will have its say on the role of evolution in the science classroom, after all.
State Sen. Ronda Storms, a Brandon Republican, has filed what she calls the ‘Academic Freedom Act’ (SB 2692) with a stated goal of ‘providing public school teachers with a right to present scientific information relevant to the full range of views on biological and chemical origins.’
South Florida legislators haven’t realized their potential in Tallahassee
The legislative session that starts today marks the final chapter in a historic two-year run of power for South Florida in the halls of the state Capitol.
OPINION: Florida’s 163rd birthday a cause for celebration
Happy Birthday, Florida. Now what?
Special election debate to be held in Newtown<
Three Democrats running in a March 25 special election to represents parts of Sarasota and Manatee counties in the Florida Legislature are scheduled to debate in Newtown.
Matt Hudson: A freshman on a mission
He may be a freshman this session, but Rep. Matt Hudson said he wouldn’t shy away from tackling the tough issues facing his district as the 2008 Legislature kicks off today in Tallahassee.
Democrats see chance to unseat 3 Cuban-Americans
“What are you, crazy?”
Jeff Garcia, a Democratic campaign strategist, is recounting what party bosses in Washington said to him last fall when he broached an idea.
Parasailing rules are gaining momentum in Tallahassee
Following the death of a 15-year-old Marion County girl who slammed into a building when her parasail rope broke, lawmakers are poised to enact the state’s first regulation of the popular water sport.
Mar. 4 is Deadline to Apply for La. $100M Insurer Grant Program<
The Louisiana Department of Insurance announced that the deadline for applications to the Insure Louisiana Incentive Program is March 4, 2008.
A Brit-U.S. Debate Over Insurance Accounting Standards
A panel of accounting experts at a meeting of state legislators agreed that the United States should be part of uniform world accounting standards but diverged on what they should include.
Citigroup, Wachovia face hedge fund lawsuits: report
Citigroup Inc (C.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Wachovia Corp (WB.N: Quote, Profile, Research) are facing separate lawsuits filed in a U.S. Federal court in New York by a small fund, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
Class action vs Great-West can proceed, judge says
A class action lawsuit, potentially worth several hundred million dollars, can proceed against Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO.TO: Quote, Profile, Research), Canada’s second biggest insurance company, an Ontario court judge has ruled.
CDC: Some Gulf Coast hurricane trailers more toxic
Formaldehyde levels in the trailers provided to Gulf Coast hurricane victims vary greatly by brand, and four of the six most commonly used brands are among those with the highest levels, a federal study released Monday found.
NAIC Releases Select 2007 Market Share Data
Report Includes Information on Top 25 P&C Insurers
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) today released the 2007 market share premium data for the top 25 insurers of select property/casualty lines of business.
Research Group: Critical Flood Risk Study for New Orleans Overdue, Plagued by Errors
The Army Corps of Engineers is taking much too long to complete a study that could let victims of Hurricane Katrina know their risk of facing another devastating flood, an independent research group said.
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