Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, April 15
Apr 15, 2009
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Blog: State Farm fights Florida’s conditions for it to leave the state
State Farm Florida asked Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty for a hearing this week to fight his office’s requirements for allowing the company to leave Florida.
Bill ready for full House would raise homeowner insurance prices
Sweeping property insurance legislation that would increase almost all home and condominium insurance rates in the state is ready for debate by the Florida House of Representatives, after passing several committees.
Officials try to boost hurricane fund
The proposal raises premiums at one firm, gives money to another.
The outlook for a state fund intended to shore up the property insurance market after a hurricane improved Tuesday, with credit markets thawing and a House committee approving a measure relieving the fund of some responsibilities.
Chubb Alters Wind Coverage Offer in Southern Florida Coastal Counties
Chubb Personal Insurance has notified its agents it is no longer including wind coverage in Masterpiece homeowners insurance policies for new customers in 14 Southeast and Southwest coastal counties in Florida.
Better lending market could help Florida’s Cat Fund
With the start of hurricane season a month and a half away, state officials learned Tuesday that the projected shortfall in money available for Florida’s hurricane catastrophe fund is about $5 billion less than projected.
State has case of hurricane nerves
As the clock ticks toward June 1, state officials increasingly are concerned about whether Florida is financially ready for the coming hurricane season and the next bad storm.
Florida Bid For U.S. Cat Fund Support Is Tough Sell
Florida lawmakers’ moves to provide a federal backstop to the state’s severely underfunded Hurricane Catastrophe Fund are running into strong headwinds.
RMS: Florida hurricane risk reduced by $1.50 per dollar granted to strengthen homes
For every grant dollar provided by the My Safe Florida Home program for strengthening Florida homes, hurricane losses are expected to reduce by as much as $1.50, according to preliminary analysis by catastrophe risk experts Risk Management Solutions.
CFO Sink: DFS storm line ready to help victims of Florida storms
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink is advising victims of reported tornadoes that struck the Tampa Bay Area and severe storms in North and Central Florida that insurance specialists with the Department of Financial Services’ toll-free storm are standing by to assist victims in contacting their insurance companies with questions about their policies.
Red-light bill gets Senate hearing
Melissa Wandall is among those planning to testify today in Tallahassee in favor of legislation authorizing the use of high-tech cameras to catch those who run red lights.
With Florida businesses getting hit by some of the highest rates in the country, lawmakers in 2003 passed a controversial overhaul of the state’s workers’ compensation insurance system.
Florida‘s Patriot Forms Private Label Workers’ Compensation Unit
Fort Lauderdale-based wholesale insurance broker Patriot Risk Management, Inc. has formed Patriot Underwriters, Inc. to help expand its insurance distribution and policyholder services business.
Children’s insurance issue passes committee
A proposal to fulfill a pledge made by lawmakers last year to expand insurance coverage of all developmental disabilities beyond autism cleared a Senate committee Tuesday, but not without opposition.
Sun-Sentinel: Florida universities study plan to require health insurance for all students
Students without health insurance could end up paying more to attend Florida’s public universities.
City of Parkland launches Chinese drywall survey
Parkland city officials, trying to attach some facts to the perception there’s a Chinese drywall crisis in the city, have posted a survey on the city’s Web site asking residents with homes built with the drywall for information: What kind of response did they get from their insurance company? How about the builder and lender? Do they plan to move?
State Expected to OK Spending Today
Nearly two months after President Barack Obama signed the mammoth stimulus package into law, the trickle of money coming into Florida may finally be turned into a torrent.
Like a lot of people today, Florida legislators will be thinking about taxes
Income tax day will not go unnoticed Wednesday as tax committees in the House and Senate take up bills to either impose new taxes, eliminate tax loopholes or offer new tax breaks to special industries and property tax payers.
Florida lawmakers weigh tax break for yachts and planes
At the same time lawmakers are slashing the state budget, considering laying off dozens of government workers and increasing fees and taxes, they are also pushing a break for the richest Floridians.
Deregulation of phone service in Florida could mean 10 percent rate hike
Florida phone rates could be on the rise in the not-too-distant future.
Central Florida’s proposed commuter train may have just enough votes to win approval in a critical committee hearing today.
Crist, Seminoles in talks to revise gambling deal
Gov. Charlie Crist’s office is quietly negotiating a revised gambling agreement with the Seminole Tribe as the House and Senate remain at odds over the deal.
Florida Senate panel OKs bill to safeguard space industry
A Senate panel gave quick approval Tuesday to a pair of bills designed to protect Florida’s space industry and military bases.
In shift, Marco Rubio is willing to battle Charlie Crist for Senate
His approval ratings may be sky high, but if Charlie Crist runs for the U.S. Senate, he still could face a serious primary challenge from former state House Speaker Marco Rubio.
Crist encourages first-time home buyers to use $8,000 federal tax credit
Governor holds round-table discussion with Florida Realtors, urges Legislature to reduce property-tax burden
Governor Charlie Crist today met with Florida Realtors to discuss Florida’s housing market, and also discussed his continued commitment to reduce the tax burden on Florida homeowners and business property owners.
CFO Sink saves over $2 million annually with call center consolidation
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink today announced that she will save Florida’s taxpayers over $2.2 million annually as a result of streamlining and consolidating the Department of Financial Services’ consumer call centers.
McCollum Unveils Website to Help Homeowners Avoid Mortgage Fraud-Related Scams
Attorney General Bill McCollum today unveiled a new website designed to help homeowners avoid mortgage fraud-related scams.
Tampa Democrat may join Obama team
President Barack Obama is set to nominate Frank Sanchez, a former Tampa mayoral candidate and Obama campaign fundraiser, as undersecretary of commerce for international trade.
Legislators seek to showcase Florida on film
If you saw “Marley and Me,” a film featuring scenes of a goofy dog enjoying daily runs along a gorgeous Florida beach, you’ll understand why legislators are discussing how best to lure film and video production companies to the state.
Group Urges Congress to Lift Credit Rating Agencies’ Liability Exemption
Credit rating agenies would lose their protection against private lawsuits under current U.S. securities fraud law if a proposal by an institutional investors group becomes law.
Guy Carpenter Analyzes Q1 Cat Bond Market Activity
“The catastrophe bond market is weathering the effects of the global financial downturn while maintaining a strong issuance pipeline for the remainder of 2009,” according to a briefing published on www.GCCapitalIdeas.com by Guy Carpenter, the global risk and reinsurance specialist, and GC Securities, a division of MMC Securities Corp.
State Farm Expects $10M-plus Loss From Oklahoma Fires
Oklahoma’s largest insurer expects to see more than $10 million in home and automobile damage claims from recent wildfires.
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