Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, March 10
Mar 10, 2009
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State searches for CAT fund options
Under the deadline pressure of Florida’s looming hurricane season, Gov. Charlie Crist and other state officials are still scrambling to find a way to shore up the state hurricane catastrophe fund, which could come up billions of dollars short if a big storm hits this year.
Crist OK with Citizens rate increases
Gov. Charlie Crist says he’s OK with Citizens Insurance raising its property insurance rates — but not by too much.
Sen. J.D. Alexander is the new “Dr. No”
Expect some squirmy state agencies tomorrow when Sen. J.D. Alexander’s Ways and Means committee continues his crusade to pinch pennies with the possible sale of state buildings and ending of leases with more than one million square feet of excess office and warehouse space.
State Farm Announces 2009 Auto Operations High Potential Development Group
STATE FARM INSURANCE CO. FLORIDA ZONE announces the newest members of the Auto Operations High Potential Development Group for 2009. They are Juanita Bourgault, Ashley Carter, Lynn Davis, Trenton Frederick, Melissa Gibbs, Austine Gipson, Stephanie Gonzalez, Richard Linder, Christina Richards, Mary Beth Sparks and Steffine Schwarz. These employees were selected by the Auto Operations Management Group.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: No deal on Workers Comp, but bill moves along in House
The state House’s insurance committee overwhelmingly approved on Tuesday a bill aimed at reversing a Supreme Court decision that removed a cap on lawyers’ fees in workers compensation cases, though with neither side in the argument happy with the current bill, talks continue.
When Escambia County resident Gwen Hemminger was in a minor car accident last year, Escambia County Fire-Rescue responded.
Vivid warning language may save lives, forecasters say
When hurricanes, tornadoes and severe storms threaten, there’s one message forecasters want residents to know: If they don’t get out of harm’s way, their lives could be in danger.
Dry weather prolongs wildfire threats in South Florida
South Florida is at a high risk for wildfires this spring and summer because the region’s dry season has been particularly pronounced.
Ha Lem hasn’t parked her car in her garage in eight years.
Crist: Florida applying for $817 million in Medicaid stimulus
Florida will apply Tuesday for its first installment of federal Medicaid stimulus money, Gov. Charlie Crist said Monday at a meeting of the Florida Hospital Association.
CFO Sink: Annuity fraud arrest underscores need for Safeguard our Seniors legislation
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink Tuesday announced the arrest of a Tampa man who allegedly operated an annuity scheme to defraud a 71-year-old widow out of $19,000.
Bill would require drug test for unemployment check
Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, has filed a bill in the Florida Legislature that would require random drug testing for those who draw unemployment compensation benefits.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Alonzo Mourning lobbying for kidney failure coverage
Former Miami Heat basketball player Alonzo Mourning was in the Capitol on Tuesday, pushing for legislation that would allow kidney failure patients access to additional insurance.
Simply Unum Offers New Benefits Solutions in Florida
Simplifies Benefits for Small to Mid-Sized Businesses TAMPA, Fla.–(Business Wire)– Small and mid-sized businesses in Florida now have access to Simply Unum, a new approach to employee benefits that can help control costs, simplify administration and offer flexible benefits choice.
Drop in tax revenue might sour deal to buy U.S. Sugar land
Plummeting property-tax revenues might endanger Gov. Charlie Crist’s sugar land buy.
South Florida’s steep drop in property values threatens to claim another victim: the governor’s $1.34 billion plan to buy U.S. Sugar Corp. land for Everglades restoration.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: State selling bonds to investors fleeing stocks
Despite the ongoing credit crunch, Florida has been able to sell four series of bonds worth $775 million since January, Ben Watkins, the director of the State Division of Bond Finance told Gov. Charlie Crist and members of the Cabinet on Tuesday.
Property taxes, insurance in spotlight today
Property taxes and property insurance will share center stage on Tuesday as Florida legislators get back to work for the second week of their nine-week annual session.
Crist, CFO: Florida college fund can’t be tapped
Florida’s $8 billion Florida Prepaid College Plan is safe from legislators looking for ways to plug budget holes, Gov. Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Tuesday.
Leaders see holes in Crist’s budget
Gov. Charlie Crist’s promise to boost money for Florida’s schools has been shattered by the state’s worsening economy.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Voter approval amendment begins legislative trip
A Senate panel on Tuesday approved a proposed constitutional amendment to limit state and local revenue increases unless voters approve.
Money to attract businesses to Florida marked with ‘secrecy’
With at least $26 million in bait to lure corporate America to Florida during the worst recession since World War II, and a deadline to spend it, Florida’s economic development chiefs are under intense pressure to perform.
Bill would dismantle Florida’s growth management agency
State legislators are pushing to dismantle the agency in charge of managing growth, arguing that it’s standing in the way of reviving Florida’s economy.
County, state court systems compete for fees
A fight is brewing in Tallahassee between Florida’s court clerks and the state’s judges, with the prize control of hundreds of millions of state dollars.
Florida task force to seek answer to foreclosure court backlog
To sandbag the flood of foreclosures pouring into the state’s underfunded court system, the Florida Supreme Court announced the formation of a statewide task force on Monday that will look for solutions to the docket backlog while ensuring borrowers and lenders are treated fairly.
Florida lawmakers consider cigarette ‘User Fee’
Lawmakers might raise the cost of a pack of cigarettes by as much as a dollar this year – but don’t accuse them of raising “taxes.”
Florida: Ten hot congressional races next year
Democrats gained two congressional seats in the Sunshine State last year and came close in several more districts.
Easing up on Cuba could sink $410 billion bill
A $410 billion catchall government-spending bill could be derailed by a combination of sticker shock and objections to a provision that would relax trade and travel restrictions with Cuba.
Is economy gutting fishing industry?
Fact: The perpetually sunny forecast for Florida fishing’s bottom line is getting hurt by the economy.
Floridians carry more debt than national average
A new report on credit card debt finds Floridians are carrying a higher balance than the national average and had the second-highest incidence of delinquency in the nation, at 1.71 percent.
“Online Sunshine” Web site allows citizens to keep tabs on Florida lawmakers at work
When lawmakers debate bills that could affect Kim Glusky’s autistic son she can virtually look over their shoulders from the comfort of her central Florida home.
Mississippi‘s Rep. Taylor Renews Push for Federal Wind Insurance Policy
Rep. Gene Taylor, D.-Miss., isn’t letting opposition by major insurance companies keep him from pushing his plan to make wind coverage for properties available through the federal flood insurance program.
States Give Regulatory Relief to Life Insurers
State regulators trying to help life insurance companies cope with the financial crisis have granted $6 billion of relief from requirements meant to ensure financial stability, according to data released yesterday.
Flood insurance program seen in no danger
The current impasse in Congress over the bill that authorizes most government spending for the current fiscal year is unlikely to jeopardize the National Flood Insurance Program, according to an insurance trade group.
Landslide insurance unavailable despite steep slope building
Even before leaving the hospital, Bruce and Lorraine Donin found out their insurance wouldn’t cover the landslide that reduced their Maggie Valley home to rubble.
Real estate pro proposes government insurance on housing prices
There are would-be home buyers out there who are ready and able, but just not willing. They can’t bring themselves to pull the trigger.
Chubb: Disputes Over Who Pays Ransoms Put Crew Members at Risk
As pirates increasingly target cargo vessels in the Gulf of Aden, owners are struggling to pay escalating ransom demands — putting their crews at risk, an insurance executive told nearly 100 Korean ship owners and insurance brokers meeting here.
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