Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, September 15
Sep 15, 2009
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Fla. insurance chief: Rate increases may be needed
Florida’s insurance commissioner says companies offering hurricane coverage may need rate increases due to underwriting losses although the state hasn’t had any serious storms lately.
Unregulated insurance bill may be reborn
Although Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed legislation earlier this year that would allow insurance companies to raise premiums, its sponsors plan to bring back the bill, and two local legislators support it.
CFO Sink challenges trustees to consider reforms for improved SBA oversight
Florida CFO Alex Sink offered initial thoughts and recommendations this morning following the report presentation of the SBA’s Governance Research Project.
- To view report click here.
- David J. Grain appointed to SBA Investment Advisory Council
21st Century adding 100 jobs in Lake Mary
21st Century Insurance and Financial Services, a division of Farmers Insurance Group, is hiring 100 sales and service representatives for its Lake Mary call center.
Sarasota County lifts a limit on remodeling
Builders were mad. Homeowners trying to remodel older properties were confused. Nobody seemed happy with a 2008 amendment to Sarasota County’s ordinance governing remodeling jobs in flood-prone areas.
Florida Condo buildings fall into disrepair amid recession
A year after the economic dominoes began to topple, many believe the worst is over for Wall Street, though rising unemployment and foreclosures are likely to mean a long recovery for Main Street.
J. Powell Brown, President and CEO of Brown & Brown, Inc., will speak at the 2009 Barclays Capital Global Financial Services Conference in New York on Wednesday.
Florida Health ‘Choices’ plan stalls at starting gate
Florida Health Choices, touted by Republican lawmakers as a solution to the state’s high rate of uninsured, still has no insurers or businesses signed up 16 months after it was created.
Fla. legislators more worried about Medicaid expansion than with “public option” care
As national politicians feud over “public option” health insurance, state lawmakers are far more concerned with plans to greatly expand a different government-run health care program: Medicaid.
Special primary election today
Republican voters in Florida Senate District 8 will head to the polls today in a special primary election to replace longtime lawmaker Jim King, who died of pancreatic cancer in July.
Lawmakers finalizing Fla. long-term outlook
A special panel of lawmakers is finalizing a new long-range financial outlook that anticipates potential deficits in each of the next three budget years.
Fla. ranks No. 9 on credit risk index
Florida was among the top three states in the nation to experience the largest quarterly increase in the TransUnion Credit Risk Index – up 2.67 percent, to 147.64 in the second quarter from 143.80 in the first quarter.
PSC BlackBerry flap raises new concerns about compliance with Florida’s public records law
Sen. Mike Fasano sat through a meeting of his chamber’s banking and insurance committee last spring and watched a fellow lawmaker field instant messages on his BlackBerry. A lobbyist was feeding questions to ask the Office of Insurance Regulation speaker before them.
New tax avenue? Florida motorists would pay by the mile
Facing a likely future of dwindling gas-tax income, some Florida transportation officials are promoting a new way to raise money for highways and bridges: charging motorists by the mile.
Tampa invited to bid on the 2012 Republican National Convention
Twice Tampa has been rejected by the GOP in its search for a city to host the Republican National Convention.
Former General Re Executive Napier Gets Probation in AIG Fraud
A former executive of reinsurer General Re Corp. was sentenced to two years probation and fined $10,000 after pleading guilty to helping American International Group cook its books.
North Carolina Updates Professional Employer Organization Requirements
North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue has signed into law stronger financial requirements for Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) operating in the state.
U.S. Flood Elevation Rules For Home Building Called Inadequate
Government minimum flood elevation requirements for Gulf Coast region properties vulnerable to storm surge are “woefully inadequate,” according to Tampa Fla.-based Institute for Business & Home Safety.
1st Trial Over FEMA Trailer Fumes Opens in La.
For the first time since Hurricane Katrina left tens of thousands of families living in FEMA trailers, a federal jury heard allegations Monday that the government-issued shelters exposed Gulf Coast storm victims to hazardous formaldehyde fumes.
Passage Of Surplus Lines/Re Reform Bill Hailed, But Some Want Broader Measure
RAA, Roundtable continue push for federal regulator, rather than national rules
Legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week reforming regulation of the surplus lines and reinsurance markets should be part of a more comprehensive measure modernizing oversight of the entire industry, some trade group officials contend.
Texas details plan to curtail beach erosion, hurricane damage
Texas announced Monday that it was embarking on the biggest coastal protection effort in state history to fight beach erosion and defend against future hurricanes.
Affirmative Insurance Holdings Moving Offices to Louisiana
Affirmative Insurance Holding Inc. has announced it is consolidating its corporate operations center from Chicago to Baton Rouge, La.
Police Probe Shooting Death of Kentucky Insurance Department Examiner
Police in Lexington, Kentucky are investigating the shooting death of a former state GOP lawmaker’s ex-girlfriend, after the woman was found shot to death early Friday outside her town house.
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