Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, March 25

 

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Senate panel OKs one-year extension of Citizens rate freeze

A state Senate panel today approved a one-year extension on rate-hike freezes for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. policyholders.

Insurers’ side gets support

The same day that a global credit rating agency predicted the Florida homeowners insurance market could collapse if a major hurricane strikes, state Rep. Don Brown continued his crusade to sound alarms over how last year’s insurance reforms — which created that market — put the entire state’s economy in peril.

Florida House panel criticizes 2007 homeowner insurance law

In a rare political mea culpa, state legislators said Monday there are deep flaws in the sweeping property insurance law they passed almost unanimously last year to help lower homeowner insurance rates.

State insurance officials face hearing

Hoping to drive home the fact that Floridians could face thousands of dollars in additional insurance charges after future catastrophic storms, a House insurance committee spent hours Monday grilling officials from the state’s Office of Insurance Regulation and Citizens Property Insurance.

SENATOR JEFF ATWATER: Extend Citizens rate hold

A controversial plan to extend the rate freeze on Citizens Property Insurance Corp. premiums through the end of 2009 is expected to be voted on today by the state Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

A death-defying stunt — insurance news with hardly any numbers

While I puffed my way up the hill right after lunch Monday for a meeting of the House Committee on Insurance, there was nothing going on outside the Capitol but a stiff breeze.

Regulators file complaint on insurance firm

The Office of Insurance Regulation has filed an administrative complaint against the American General Life Insurance Co., seeking to suspend or revoke its ability to write insurance policies in Florida.

Fitch Comments on Florida Homeowners Insurance Market

Fitch Ratings said today that, in spite of reform efforts enacted by the state of Florida in 2007 to improve the availability and affordability of homeowners insurance in the state, the Florida homeowners market continues to be unstable.

Drop troubled investment fund, investigators tell state

Two investigators hired by House Speaker Marco Rubio to review last fall’s near-collapse of an investment fund for local governments want to scrap the old fund and start over.

OPINION: Storm season renews risk worries

With the 2008 hurricane season inching into our consciousness — and the legislative session upon us — legislators are again sweating the potential consequences of their actions on insurance.

Unmanned drones to help with hurricane forecasting (with video)

But FAA worries they could endanger planes fleeing hurricanes

This summer, a fleet of small unmanned aircraft, similar to radio-controlled models sold by hobby stores, is to be launched into the heart of hurricanes to beam back information that may sharpen the accuracy of tropical forecasts, scientists say.

Talking with Tami Torres: Keep homes safe with wind inspections

Tami Torres is program administrator of the My Safe Florida Home program, which has mounted a new publicity initiative to let Florida homeowners know they’re eligible to receive free wind inspections.

Sales tax exemptions under microscope

When it comes to eliminating unnecessary sales tax exemptions – which is among the proposals the Florida Legislature will likely consider to offset proposed property tax cuts – exemption critics often talk about ostrich feed.

Tax cap amendment plan seen as a caution light

A proposal to cap state and local taxes, fees and other revenue is more of a caution light than a stop sign, its sponsor says.

Governor Crist Celebrates Open, Transparent Government

Releases annual report of Plain Language Initiative’s progress in effective communication

Governor Charlie Crist today joined news reporters, newspaper editors and other members of the media at the First Amendment Foundation’s annual legislative luncheon.

Storm Brews Over Adding Wind Coverage to Federal Flood Program

Industries fight government all the time, but not usually over which of them can run an actual business.

Tax hike in air for smokers

For nearly two decades, while almost every state has raised its tax on cigarettes, Florida’s has remained the same: 34 cents a pack.

Voting today in Manatee for House District 55 seat

Voting is today at 27 precincts in Manatee County to fill a vacant state-house seat.

Senator Lynn Requests Unpaid Leave Extension

The chairwoman of a Senate committee that oversees higher education budgets said Monday she won’t take any more money from Florida State University for her work on a reading research program that she helped create and fund.

Florida Democrats to get hearing about delegates

Appeal over primary may decide delegates’ fate

Florida Democrats could get a hearing in a matter of weeks on an appeal of the national party’s decision to invalidate the state’s presidential primary, a key party insider said Monday.

National Hurricane Center To Post Storm Surge Info

Consumers will soon be able to see the results of a National Hurricane Center model using a Google service so they could view their exposure to storm surge resulting from a variety of hurricanes.

Dispute with Louisiana Insurance Department, Legislature Resolved

Steve Theriot, Louisiana’s legislative auditor, said a legal dispute between the legislature and state insurance department has been resolved.

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