Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, October 28
Oct 28, 2008
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State Farm pleads case for rate hike before judge
State Farm Florida began to plead its case Monday, explaining to a judge why it needs to raise property insurance rates by 47.1 percent, an increase regulators turned down.
6 Fla. counties to receive federal funding
President Bush on Monday declared a major disaster area existed in six Florida counties affected by Hurricane Gustav in late August and early September.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink’s investigators recently helped Kikuko West, a Vero Beach senior, recover more than $217,000 in potential losses after she allegedly was tricked into prematurely replacing an existing annuity by an area insurance agent. Kikuko, 75, contacted the Department of Financial Services (DFS) after hearing about CFO Sink’s newly created “Safeguard our Seniors”(SOS) Task Force, which is examining ways the state can reduce financial fraud against Florida seniors.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Names Legislative Affairs Director
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty appointed John McBride as legislative affairs director. McBride will report to Chief of Staff Audrey Brown.
Governor Crist Extends Early Voting Hours
Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote
Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
Florida Republicans expected to keep hold on state Legislature
Party poised to maintain control of state houses despite national woes
Democrats have been out of power in the Florida Legislature for more than a decade.
Pinellas Will Have A Say In 5 Florida House Races
Voters in much of Pinellas County will cast ballots for their representatives in the Florida House of Representatives this November. Five district races are being contested. One features a write-in slot, and in another, a challenger has withdrawn even though her name remains on the ballot.
12,165 now on Florida’s ‘no match’ vote list
More than 2,000 new Tampa Bay voters are on the state’s “no match” list of unverified identities, and their votes in next week’s election may not count as a result.
Space takes off as hot issue for both parties
While it’s not the economy or national security, the human exploration of space has emerged as a hot-button issue in the 2008 presidential campaign, at least in Florida.
Vasilinda proposes repeal of aviation gas tax
A legislative candidate proposed repeal of the aviation fuel tax Monday for commercial flights to and from Tallahassee, saying Florida’s capital is being financially “strangled” by poor air service.
Final CSX Hearing Set for First Stage
After nearly two years of discussion, approval for the first phase of the planned CSX freight rail terminal in Winter Haven is headed for its final public hearing at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Our Opinion: Legislature should debate auto emissions
There are several good environmental reasons that Florida’s Environmental Regulation Commission on Wednesday should approve new fuel efficiency and anti-pollution standards for new passenger vehicles – not the least of which is the Sunshine State’s high level of greenhouse gas emissions.
Property/Casualty Insurers on Government Rescue Funds: No Thanks
Following reports that the U.S Treasury is considering adding life, bond and mortgage insurance companies to its list of beneficiaries for some of the $700 billion federal bailout package, property/casualty insurers are making it clear to they don’t want any rescue dollars.
Insurance Affordability: Three East Coast Regulators Weigh In
For many East Coast homeowners, the difficulty lies not in finding insurance, but paying for it. And that so-called affordability problem affects nearly every state along the coastline.
Reinsurers Expect Financial Storm Will Cause Premium Increases
The world’s reinsurers expect the intensifying financial market storm will allow them to push through higher prices for the risk cover they offer insurance companies.
A guide to avoiding Medicare Part D minefields
Like crisp mornings, harvest pumpkins and returning snowbirds, Medicare’s Part D shuffle has become a fall fixture.
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