Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, Nov. 13

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Audrey Brown Promoted To Chief Of Staff At Florida Office Of Insurance Regulation
 
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty announced that he has promoted Audrey Brown to the position of chief of staff with the Office of Insurance Regulation (Office), effective Nov. 19. 

 

Senate Bills Offer Tax Credits, Loans to Help Property Owners Hit by Disasters

Saying he believes that immediate assistance is needed for those living near coastal areas who are grappling with skyrocketing property insurance premiums, Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and presidential candidate, has introduced two bills to help homeowners and businesses lessen the financial strain experienced as a result of natural disasters.

 

New TRIA Notion More Costly For Insureds

Legislation being proposed by the leadership of a Senate Committee would revise the law providing federal supports for terrorism insurance, with higher costs for commercial policyholders after an attack, sources said. 

 

CFCI Formed To Fight IRS Captive Proposal

The two largest U.S. captive insurance trade groups announced they are banding together in a coalition to combat a proposed Internal Revenue regulation they say would increase their tax burden.

 

Allen’s attorney files motion accusing prosecution of misconduct
 
The attorney for Rep. Bob Allen filed a motion Tuesday accusing the prosecution of misconduct during the trial in which his client was convicted of soliciting oral sex from an undercover officer.

 

Property-tax plan’s side effects hurting amendment

Florida voters are not enthusiastic enough about the Legislature’s proposed property-tax plan to pass it if the election to approve it were held today, and a new poll shows that they like it even less after they learn of its possible side effects.

 

More property tax cuts may be coming

More Times-Union legislative coverage Learn more about members of the First Coast legislative delegation State budget coverage Florida health services coverage State education coverage Public safety legislation

 

Supreme Court review leaves executions on hold

Prosecutor Matt Whitworth persuaded a jury to sentence Lisa Montgomery to death, but he isn’t expecting the Kansas woman to die anytime soon.

 

His popularity flagging, Sen. Martinez turns away from Bush

U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez had to give President Bush two pieces of bad news recently.

 

AIF names Mattox chief political officer

Associated Industries of Florida has announced that Michelle Mattox is to become the association’s new chief political officer. The appointment represents a key strategic departure for the organization with a long history of representing the political interest of businesses statewide.

 

Orlando area to monitor more drivers on the clock for risky behavior

Big Brother is about to ride shotgun in a lot more Orange County public vehicles.

 

Seminole County weighs change in medical helicopter service

SANFORD – The description for item 9 on today’s Seminole County Commission consent agenda sounds routine. It calls for awarding aeromedical helicopter services to Air Methods Corporation.

 

Unitrin to acquire Primesco

Chicago-based insurance and financial-services holding company Unitrin Inc. said late Monday that it has agreed to pay $96 million to acquire closely held Primesco Inc., of Decatur, Ala.

 

FEMA looks to burnish its image

Mark Meade never thought he’d need fire insurance for his Ramona mobile home.

 

Online gaming ban endangers Costa Rican jobs

Alina Trejos used to live relatively well, buying a car, paying for college and even taking a European vacation on her salary from a job taking bets on American football.
No more.

 

Pharmacists may soon pen prescriptions

Someday soon, you may be able to walk out of your local pharmacy with prescription-strength drugs without ever having seen a doctor.

 

Medical privacy rule may hurt research

CHICAGO — A federal patient privacy rule has had a chilling effect on medical research, making it tougher to recruit patients and use their health records, the first national survey on the topic suggests.