Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, October 6
Oct 6, 2009
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Changes at Tower Hill Secure Rating from Demotech
Insurance company rating firm Demotech, Inc. said it has affirmed the Financial Stability Ratings of A, Exceptional, assigned to Tower Hill Prime Insurance Co., Tower Hill Preferred Insurance Co., Tower Hill Select Insurance Co. and Omega Insurance Co.
Commissioner McCarty to appear before Fla. Senate Insurance panel
Commissioner Kevin McCarty – who has sparred with lawmakers on the state’s insurance regulations – is scheduled to appear Tuesday afternoon before the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
Probe of insurers called ‘McCarthyism’ by Fla. exec
Randy Kammer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida called a Congressional investigation of private insurers “McCarthyism” at a panel discussion Monday hosted by the Duval medical society.
Insurance-related Letters to the Editor
Contrary to the claims in the Sept. 28 Other Views column Make Florida more hurricane resistant about restoring the My Safe Florida (MSF) program to provide retrofit assistance for homeowners, I found the MSF to be a major fiasco.
Radiation levels were higher than normal at the homes of as many as 10 Acreage families with brain tumors or brain cancer, according a New York City law firm affiliated with the nationally known environmental activist Erin Brockovich.
Miami clinic operators convicted in $51M fraud
Two Miami clinic operators have been convicted in what investigators say was a $51 million HIV infusion fraud case.
John Thrasher expected to be officially elected today
It’s expected John Thrasher will beat three write-ins.
Voters in Senate District 8 have one more step to take before sending a new senator to the state Capitol.
Florida has received more than $65 million to help the homeless and those who are in danger of joining them, the Department of Children and Families announced today.
Fla. PSC decides today: Do we need a 300-mile, $1.5 billion natural gas pipeline
A state panel is scheduled to say “yes” or “no” today to Florida Power & Light Co.’s proposed 300-mile natural gas pipeline.
- Commissioner quits on eve of gas pipeline vote
- Blog: Crist to appoint 3 month stand-in to finish utility regulator’s term
- Associated Industries adds voice to PSC fight, accusing Crist and Fasano of interfering
Fed transit chief tells Florida Senate to ‘get act together’ on commuter rail
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had a simple message Monday for the Florida Senate: Get behind the planned SunRail commuter train in Central Florida, or forget about the state winning $2.5billion in federal money for a high-speed train linking Orlando with Tampa.
Florida lawmakers to dive into big debate on drilling
Opponents say Florida needs to stay with changing energy culture
A battle over the future of Florida’s coastline and the resources that lie just beyond is shaping up in the Legislature, as lawmakers, lobbyists and advocates on both sides mobilize for what could be one of the major fights of the coming session: whether to open state waters to offshore oil drilling.
Judge delivers major blow to case against former House Speaker Ray Sansom
The case against former House Speaker Ray Sansom suffered a major blow Monday when a judge dismissed an official misconduct charge related to a $6 million project that a grand jury said was to be an airplane hangar for one of Sansom’s political allies.
Alex Sink raises $1.6 million for gubernatorial campaign in third quarter
Alex Sink is on track to be the Democrats’ best-funded gubernatorial candidate in years, with the chief financial officer reporting Monday that she raised $1.6 million over the past three months.
For Florida legislators, no visit to Tallahassee is too short to ask for checks
State lawmakers are back at the Capitol for the first time in months, and some are using the opportunity to engage in a favorite pastime: collecting campaign checks from lobbyists and their clients.
Blog: Conservative revolt against Crist widens
Marco Rubio, the right wing man-child, may have raised almost a million bucks this last fundraising quarter.
From the porch of a Crescent Beach home built more than 100 years ago in the segregated South, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, a Miami Democrat, said he wants his 2010 U.S. Senate bid to change how many people perceive Florida.
Orange County mayor declines to challenge Rep. Alan Grayson
After flirting with the idea for months, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty removed his name late Monday from the list of prospective candidates who might run against freshman U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson in 2010.
Fla. seeks to speed up weapon permits
Officials say qualified individuals can shorten the time it takes to get a concealed weapon license by visiting one of eight licensing division regional offices.
Possible Fla. ban on snapper, grouper fishing would be large-scale
Deep-sea bottom fishing in the southeast is in deep trouble.
Court upholds Florida’s Pledge of Allegiance law
The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal to review a Florida law that requires public school students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance each day unless they have their parents’ written permission excusing them.
State Farm may hike rates on Mississippi coast
Commissioner still negotiating with State Farm over request
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney says he should decide soon whether State Farm can boost homeowners’ rates in three coastal counties.
Insurance Deregulation Is Not Financial Reform, Says Consumer Watchdog
Proposal Would Allow Treasury to Preempt State Capital Rules That Kept Insurance Policyholders Safe While Other Financial Firms Crashed
Consumer Watchdog called on Congress to reject legislation allowing the Treasury Department to use international agreements to override state insurance laws, including those requiring insurers to hold enough money to pay all claims.
PCI Member Testifies On Association’s Concerns With New Insurance Regulatory Proposal
An insurer representing the Property Casualty Insurers of America (PCI) testified today that a duplicative regulatory system, costly to consumers, was unnecessary for home, auto and business insurers.
A.M. Best Withdraws Ratings of White Mountains Re Bermuda Ltd.
A.M. Best Co. has withdrawn the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of ‘a-‘ and assigned a NR-5 (Not Formally Followed) to the FSR and a ‘nr’ to the ICR of White Mountains Re Bermuda Ltd., a subsidiary of White Mountains Re Group, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.
Penn Treaty Network America Facing Liquidation
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department on Friday said it is seeking a court order to place Penn Treaty Network America Insurance Company into liquidation.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com.