Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, October 5
Oct 5, 2010
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Letters: Not all manufactured homes are storm risks
After reading the article “Citizens gets 10.3 percent rate hike,” I couldn’t help but wonder why mobile home insurance rates are lumped into one category regardless of when the unit was constructed and installed.
A senior community west of Delray Beach is suing an attorney and his firm for alleged fraud and misrepresentation while handling its property insurance claims in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma.
Driver Says Florida Slow To Pay For Pothole Damage
Not only are potholes on I-4 wrecking cars, some drivers said they’re having a hard time getting the state to pay for damages.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers barred from talking on hand-held cell phones while driving
A new policy bans on-duty Florida Highway Patrol troopers from using hand-held cell phones while driving, a measure aimed at keeping the roadways safe using officers as an example, authorities said.
Florida Weighs 8.3% Workers’ Compensation Rate Increase Today
Workers’ compensation insurers in Florida will be asked to explain their request for an average 8.3 percent rate hike today before the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
Schemes put funds into a combination of U.S. mutual funds and insurance products
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that a U.S. District Judge found two Miami companies and their three officers liable for violating the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws stemming from a 13-year fraud in which they siphoned up to 85 percent of investors’ initial contributions for undisclosed commissions and other fees.
121 Florida entities join early retirement program
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department has approved 121 employers and unions in Florida for assistance in paying for early retirees’ medical insurance.
Tampa lawyer files to disqualify Florida’s attorney general from WellCare whistle blower case
The lawyer for the lead whistle blower in the U.S. Justice Department’s civil lawsuit against WellCare Health Plans Inc. has asked Florida’s Supreme Court to disqualify the state’s attorney general, Bill McCollum, from signing off on a proposed $137.5 million settlement.
Group says new health insurance law should apply to Cover Florida
A grassroots advocacy organization sent a letter to the federal government on Monday asking that Florida be required to follow all of the requirements in the federal health care overhaul.
New companies push medical malpractice insurance to profitability
While health and property insurance get most of the attention, the medical malpractice insurance market – hugely controversial just a few years ago – has quietly returned to health and stability with new companies entering the state.
- To view the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s 2010 report on Florida’s medical malpractice insurance market, click here.
Three South Florida representatives endorsed Rick Scott and tried to avoid the thorny immigration issue that has shaped much of their time in Congress
Miami’s three Republican Cuban-American members of Congress threw their support behind Rick Scott on Monday, despite not seeing eye-to-eye with the GOP gubernatorial candidate on one of the signature issues of their congressional careers: immigration.
- Alex Sink: Rick Scott trying to buy governor’s office
- Blog: Fact-checking Rick Scott’s claim that Alex Sink funneled money to Bank of America
Judge voids Florida Attorney General’s subpoena of law firm in foreclosure probe
A Palm Beach County judge has tossed out a subpoena for information from a law firm in an investigation of foreclosure practices by Attorney General Bill McCollum.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Group attacking Fla’s campaign-finance law wants ruling by Oct. 26
The conservative Institute for Justice, directing a lawsuit on behalf of four activists opposing a Florida ballot measure, has filed a motion in federal court seeking to block enforcement of the state’s campaign finance laws. In its filing late Monday in Tallahassee, institute attorneys asked the court to rule by Oct. 26.
Environmental group seeks tougher pollution protections for Everglades restoration
Legal fights linger as closing of U.S. Sugar land deal approaches
With one legal showdown delayed, another is brewing in the fight over slow-moving Everglades restoration and the future of a land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp. that would cost South Florida taxpayers $197 million.
Greer’s attorney wants top 2 Republicans questioned under oath
Florida’s top two Republicans may end up in the hot seat coming up a few weeks.
Petition drive launched to put oil drilling ban on 2012 ballot
Environmental groups have launched a petition drive to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2012 that would ban oil drilling in Florida’s nearshore waters.
State won’t decide anytime soon on whether to block company from high-speed rail project
The Florida Department of Transportation has said that it’s too early to make any decisions on whether a French company should be blocked from having anything to do with the state’s high rail project amid allegations that it collaborated with Nazis during World War II
Florida ballot will include nonbinding referendum on US balanced budget
Looking for another possible wedge issue to use in the 2012 election cycle, Florida’s Republican-led Legislature wants voters to weigh in on whether the federal government should be required to balance its budget like most states do.
Broward man forms 340 PACs, 40 political parties – and is running for governor
Deerfield Beach resident Josue Larose has filed an unprecedented amount of paperwork with elections officials
He calls himself a billionaire. He is a write-in candidate to be Florida’s next governor at the same time he’s running for U.S. Senate in 2012. He formed a political group for female Roman Catholic priests.
Ex-councilman takes on Air Force vet in Florida House District 60 race
Jobs, taxes and the environment are top priorities for the two candidates seeking the state House District 60 seat.
Governor candidates tout plans to create jobs
If gubernatorial candidates Rick Scott and Alex Sink agree on anything, it is that jobs – specifically, how to bring new ones to Florida – is the No. 1 issue in their race.
Democrats see chance, face barriers in Florida governor’s race
President Barack Obama’s unfavorable standing among voters nationwide is hurting fellow Democrats like Alex Sink, who is trying to break the GOP hold on the governor’s office
Florida Democrats say this could be their best chance to win the governor’s race since their last victory 16 years ago.
USA Today: Reports — Florida, other states charge poor for public defenders
States increasingly are imposing fees on poor criminal defendants who use public defenders even when they can’t pay, causing some to go without attorneys, according to two reviews of the nation’s largest state criminal justice systems.
Allstate sues Toyota over acceleration claims
Allstate Insurance Co. has sued Toyota Motor Corp, seeking to recover more than $3 million the insurer and affiliates paid in claims for accidents linked to unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles.
California Updates Firestorm-Inspired Homeowners Disclosure
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner welcomed a new state law updating a two-decade-old mandate on what information insurers must disclose to homeowners created in the aftermath of devastating Oakland fires.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners subpanel adopts medical loss ratio
A subpanel of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners voted Monday afternoon to adopt draft medical loss ratio regulations, teeing up final approval later this month.
Nevada To Expand Earthquake Lab
A new $12.2 million federal grant will allow the University of Nevada, Reno, to more than double the size of its earthquake research center, making it the largest quake simulation facility in the country, school officials said.
J.D. Power and Associates: Customer Satisfaction Deteriorates For Homeowners Insurers
Amica Mutual continued its run atop J.D. Power and Associates’ homeowners insurance customer satisfaction survey as the industry overall sunk to its lowest satisfaction level in five years.
Bill prohibiting senior-specific certain designations passes in Pennsylvania House committee
A bill regulating the use of senior-specific professional designations and business practices by insurance agents and brokers was passed by the Pennsylvania House Insurance Committee last week.
Would Electing All Insurance Commissioners Lead To Long-Term Commitment?
With the complexities involved in regulating insurance at the state level, National Underwriter Associate Editor Mark Ruquet said in a recent column that the regulatory system would be well served by “committed and knowledgeable leadership for the long term.”
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