Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, May 26
May 26, 2009
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Crist seeks federal disaster declaration
Gov. Charlie Crist is asking that a federal disaster be declared after heavy rains flooded central and northeast Florida.
Home insurance prices likely to rise by 10 percent
The Florida Legislature passed sweeping legislation this spring to allow home and condominium insurers to boost statewide rates by up to 10 percent.
Call for insurance commissioner’s resignation gets little attention
Sen. Mike Bennett’s outrage has been heard, but there’s no promise of immediate gubernatorial action.
CFO Sink, AARP launch hurricane-preparedness initiative
With the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season only six days away, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and the Florida AARP announced Tuesday that they want to harness the preparedness power of the state’s 4.2 million residents who are 60 and older.
Catastrophe Experts Praise Florida Congressman’s Introduction of National Backstop
Call Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2009 a critical first step in protecting American families
The nation’s leading coalition of first responders, catastrophe experts, insurers and private citizens dedicated to improving the ways that America is prepared for and protected from massive natural catastrophes today praised the introduction by Florida Rep. Ron Klein (D- FL-22) of the Homeowners’ Defense Act of 2009 and urged quick enactment of the bill.
Editorial: Relief for Florida, nation
As a senator, Barack Obama cosponsored legislation to create a national catastrophe insurance program. With luck, he will have a chance to sign the legislation.
James Lee Witt and James Loy are, quite simply, wrong to suggest that a ”national catastrophe backstop” would help reduce homeowners’ insurance rates for Floridians.
More South Florida Businesses Seek Continuity Safeguards Following Hurricane Wilma
Hurricane Wilma was a moderate yet feisty storm when it crossed the southern Florida peninsula in October of
2005.
Fortifying homes for a stronger community
Nonprofit shifts from repairing storm damage to hardening homes against future hurricanes
Bill and Mary Akins’ home had roof and siding damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, and luckily their insurance paid for the repairs.
Editorial: Preparation is key to surviving a storm
It is encouraging to hear that federal disaster officials are redoubling efforts to close gaps in this year’s hurricane preparedness plans.
Editorial: Averting financial disaster
Gov. Charlie Crist is now running for the U.S. Senate, but his political fortunes could well depend on the weather and whether Florida is lucky enough to escape a massive hurricane this year.
The week that saw drywall snowball
Congress can be a complicated place, driven by a multitude of lawmakers, agencies and advocates all advancing their own agendas — issues ranging from the most obscure to the most sweeping.
Editorial: Costly Medicare, Medicaid fraud in need of legislative crackdown
Medicare and Medicaid are magnets for crooks and con artists.
Charlie Crist’s big week ahead
Coming out of the Memorial Day weekend, Gov. Charlie Crist has a desk full of legislation that he must act upon by May 30, or this coming Saturday.
Amid tough economy, fewer bills are passed
Fewer bills passed through the Florida Legislature this spring session than in any other legislative session over the last 11 years.
Governor Has Bill That Would Give Legislators Contract Power
Lawmakers say the state is making wasteful deals, but proposal’s critics hope for veto.
Reeling from a string of questionable and multimillion-dollar deals, legislators this year decided to crack down on future contracts with the state of Florida.
Florida House Speaker: Lawmakers ‘a long way from frolicsome’ in this era, too
“Not in recent years has a Florida Legislature begun its task with such seriousness. The members are a long way from the frolicsome attitude of a few years ago when a bill was proposed to require tail lights for cows. Florida’s economic future is at stake.”
Editorial: Veto flawed growth bill
Measure would use economy as an excuse for sprawl
Last week Gov. Charlie Crist told The News-Journal editorial board he’s inclined to follow the advice of his top growth management expert, Tom Pelham, in deciding the fate of the so called “smart growth” Senate Bill 360.
Customers undeterred after feds take over largest Florida-based bank
Treasure Coast customers of BankUnited were unconcerned Friday that the night before, federal regulators swooped in to take over the Coral Gables-based bank and appoint longtime banking executive John Kanas and Palm Beach billionaire Wilbur Ross as the new owners.
Florida moves ahead on road projects despite setback
Florida’s push to allow private companies to take control of state roads and bridges appeared to hit a dead end last week when the state did not receive a single bid to lease Alligator Alley.
Commentary: The bad news about Florida’s water supply just keeps coming
If you thought things couldn’t get any worse in terms of Florida’s assault on its dwindling water supply, you’re in for a surprise. This session legislators did two things that can make it far worse.
South Florida Water Management District Chairman: Everglades land buy critical to restoration effort
Everglades restoration has been a priority at the South Florida Water Management District for more than a decade.
Banking roles may be key issue in 2010 gubernatorial race
When Democrat Alex Sink announced she was running for governor last week, the Republican Party instantly branded her a “former banker,” invoking the ugliness of subprime loans, corporate greed and government bailouts; but by raising questions about Sink, the state’s chief financial officer and longtime Bank of America executive, the party walks a precarious line.
Atwater‘s seat no sure thing for state GOP
With Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, deciding to run statewide for chief financial officer next year, there’s no guarantee Republicans will retain Atwater’s Palm Beach-Broward Senate seat in 2010.
Are state primaries past their prime?
Elections are the backbone of a democracy. But leaders of both major political parties are discouraging them in the 2010 campaign season – at least when it comes to primaries.
President Obama Chooses New NASA Leader
After weeks of rumor and speculation over who President Barack Obama would choose to lead NASA, he has selected former Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, Jr. who will be responsible for an interesting future facing the U.S. space agency.
Logjam in Texas House Threatens Windstorm Bill, Other Legislation
Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives have been using stalling tactics to avoid a vote on a controversial Voter ID bill widely supported by Republicans; the only problem is, other measures, including a bill that addresses funding for the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, are stacking up as time for legislative action winds down. The regular session ends May 31.
Using generators for games can create a new twist in storm dangers
Many fans of video games say they’re addictive. But are they worth dying for?
Americas Watchdog Demands A Massive Federal Response To Toxic Chinese Drywall
According to Americas Watchdog, “its high time for President Obama, & the US Congress to embrace a national disaster involving 100,000’s of US homes, that contain toxic Chinese drywall. We need to treat the US toxic Chinese drywall disaster like a natural disaster, and a meaningful federal response is long overdue.”
Crisis spurs spike in ‘suburban survivalists’
Six months ago, Jim Wiseman didn’t even have a spare nutrition bar in his kitchen cabinet; now the 54-year-old businessman and father of five has a backup generator, a water filter, a grain mill and a 4-foot-tall pile of emergency food.
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