Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, April 21
Apr 21, 2010
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Blog: Mike Bennett declares insurance reform bill dead for session
The Senate sponsor of the insurance deregulation and reform bill said Tuesday that the issue is dead for this legislative session. “I would bet on that,” said Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Sarasota in an interview with the Herald/Times.
Blog: Insurance de-reg bill stalls in Senate
With little discussion, Sen. Mike Bennett postponed his property insurance de-regulation bill in Ways and Means today.
Blog: Lawmakers grilled on measure to raise home insurance rates
The sponsors of a bill that would allow insurers to raise some homeowners’ rates dramatically faced tough questions from South Florida legislators Tuesday.
Insurance Rate Hike Likely Doomed in Florida
Private property insurers might as well abandon their slim hopes for permission from the state to raise their rates, at least for the remainder of this legislative session.
A Senate challenge to Gov. Charlie Crist’s vow to defeat any measure to raise residential property insurance rates was halted by its sponsor Tuesday.
Florida condo bill headed to House vote
If passed, it will allow associations to collect rents from tenants of delinquent owners, help forestall expensive fire safety upgrades.
Editorial: Florida insurance proposals don’t have consumers in mind
It is no secret that Florida’s property insurance market is far from healthy. More than 1 in 4 homeowners are insured by the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp., and private coverage remains unaffordable or unavailable in many areas. But it also is no secret that too many state legislators are too cozy with insurers, and their free-market proposals are not the answer.
Florida Homestead Exemption Applies to Insurance Claim Proceeds for Homestead Property
In Quiroga v. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, 35 Fla. L. Weekly D767a (Fla. 3DCA 2010), the Florida Third District Court of Appeal invalidated an attorney’s charging lien for unpaid legal fees that was asserted against the collected proceeds of an insurance claim for a former client.
Bill allowing red-light cameras among measures that advance in Florida Legislature
A bill authorizing red-light cameras at intersections advanced from its final Senate committee Tuesday, setting up a potential floor vote. The bill would allow cameras to detect red-light runners and hit car owners with $158 tickets, providing a revenue windfall to local and state coffers.
Florida’s SUNZ Insurance Expands Workers’ Compensation to 5 States
SUNZ Insurance Co., a St. Petersburg, Florida-based insurer, has added five states to its coverage area for writing workers’ compensation policies.
Florida Superfund lawsuit seeks more than $500M
Residents of a neighborhood on the edge of a polluted Florida Superfund site sued the property owners Tuesday, seeking at least $500 million to decontaminate their homes and monitor their health.
Theme park legal protection measure goes to Florida governor for signing
Theme parks, go-cart tracks and other businesses that offer potentially hazardous fun would regain a legal protection against injuries suffered by children under a bill sent Tuesday to Gov. Charlie Crist.
- Politically wounded personal injury lawyers salvage something
- Legislature: Both sides claim victory in this year’s fight over civil-justice reform
HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that while Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida leads health plan enrollment in the state of Florida, it is not a market leader in the state’s largest metro area — Miami-Fort Lauderdale. But a number of initiatives currently under way will likely help the insurer attract new members, according to the recent Miami Market Overview.
Insurers want Florida judge to say Hillsborough Commissioner not entitled to reimbursement
Insurers for Hillsborough County government have already said they will not cover expenses for Commissioner Kevin White related to his sexual discrimination trial last year. Now they are asking a federal court judge to validate their rejection.
Pinellas County considers clamping down on pain clinics
In an effort to confront a growing prescription drug abuse epidemic, Pinellas County is considering temporarily banning new pain management clinics from opening their doors.
Florida Medicaid overhaul is facing headwinds
With fewer than 10 days left before the legislative session ends, an aggressive House plan to overhaul Medicaid may be in trouble.
- Bill forces Florida elderly into managed care
- Veto threat looms over Medicaid
- State overhaul of Medicaid might run out of time
- Editorial: Reform Medicaid, carefully
U.S. attorney, IRS and FBI investigating Florida GOP credit card use
Federal law enforcement agencies have launched a criminal investigation into the use of American Express cards issued by the Republican Party of Florida to elected officials and staff, according to sources familiar with the inquiry.
In Tallahassee today, a message for Washington
If you don’t like President Barack Obama’s administration, Wednesday’s your day in the Florida House of Representatives.
Senate Republican leaders today refused to give the thumbs-up to two of Gov. Charlie Crist’s appointed utility regulators in what the chairwoman of the Public Service Commission called political payback for Crist’s recent vetoes of two key GOP initiatives.
Speculation mounts on Crist independent run
Gov. Charlie Crist continues to fuel the “What Will Charlie Do?” firestorm, telling reporters in Tallahassee on Tuesday that he is unmoved by leading Republicans urging him not to run for U.S. Senate as an independent candidate.
- Florida governor has many political options; none are good
- If Crist runs as independent, political assumptions are gone
- Crist finances may take a hit
- GOP chairman urges Crist to remain a Republican
- Rep. Tom Grady resigns as Crist’s regional campaign chairman
- Rubio picks up Cretul endorsement
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a prominent Miami Beach-based businessman and philanthropist with fraud for orchestrating a $900 million offering fraud and Ponzi scheme.
State government report advises streamlining port security rules
A recent state government report recommends the Legislature endorse the transfer of key seaport security plans and audits from the ports to federal and state law enforcement.
House passes Florida Department of Health-shrinking bill
With the bill’s sponsor saying it would reshape the “mission of the department,” the House this morning overwhelmingly approved a plan to revamp — and shrink — the Florida Department of Health.
Health subsidy for state retirees saved in budget talks
A second day of budget talks Tuesday produced at least one group of winners: retired public employees.
Training reform for 911 is stalling in Legislature
Rep. Ken Roberson, R-Port Charlotte, said he believes the bill can be rescued in the House even though two of the four committees assigned to vet the legislation never approved it.
Blog: Florida House Agrees to Provide Funding for Land-Buying Program
The House proposed Tuesday to provide $14 million for Florida Forever after initially designating nothing for it.
Fund raid may cost hundreds of jobs in Florida
Lawmakers have said for months that creating jobs is their top priority, but critics say the Legislature’s plan to shrink a transportation trust fund will wipe out more than 11,000 jobs.
Florida Senate panel OKs school prayer measure
With blistering criticism for civil libertarians and some harsh words about an “overreaching” religious climate in Northwest Florida schools, a Senate panel on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a watered-down school-prayer bill.
It’s Now Tougher to Graduate from High School in Florida
Gov. Crist on Tuesday signed a bill requiring students to take more difficult math and science courses and pass new end-of-course exams to earn high-school diplomas.
Plan would mean referendum for Florida children’s services taxing districts every 12 years
Children’s services councils that have taxing authority would have to go before the voters every twelve years under a controversial proposal revived today by Sen. Joe Negron.
Investment in Miami center would pay, study says
Florida could expect to gain $820 million and over 3,400 high-value jobs if a Miami cancer center won designation as part of the National Cancer Institute network, a study says. But the center needs help from the Legislature to be ready for NCI inspectors. Bad year to be asking.
More tax credits for filming being considered
Harry Emilio Gottlieb, “Film Ambassador” of Miami,whose job is running the City’s Film and Arts office, said that the state is considering upping the film tax credits for movies and tv from $11 million a year, to $75 million for next year.
Space Coast: 832 New Jobs on the Way
Bolstered by $18.8 million in federal economic stimulus bonds, Lighting Science Group plans to build a major manufacturing facility on the Space Coast and create 832 new jobs.
North Carolina Court Upholds 2008 Rate Hikes Opposed by Coastal Towns
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has declined to upset a 2008 agreement between the state’s former insurance commissioner and insurers that hiked insurance rates for some coastal homeowners up to 30 percent and cut them for others in inland counties.
Insurance Group Urges Flood Insurance Extension Without Wind Coverage
In advance of a House committee hearing on flood insurance, an industry trade group wrote urging the panel to back a long term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Alabama’s Beach Pool likely to seek rate increase as risks, reinsurance costs grow
Policyholders of Alabama’s insurer of last resort may face higher premiums again this summer, as the Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association stretches to cover the risks of its rapidly growing business.
Texas High Court Won’t Require Attorney Liability Insurance Disclosure
The Supreme Court of Texas has decided against a proposal that would have required attorneys in the state to disclose whether they have professional liability insurance.
New York Agents’ Groups Join Forces to Fight Pay Disclosure Rules
The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New York and the Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater New York say they will team up to sue the state over new rules that will require agents to disclose their commissions to clients.
Lees Named General Counsel for New York Insurance Department
Martha A. Lees has been named deputy superintendent and general counsel of the New York State Insurance Department.
Commercial Property Insurer FM Global to Issue Its Largest Ever Membership Credit to Clients
$420 Million to Be Earmarked to Policyholders in 2010/2011
Clients of commercial property insurer FM Global will collectively receive an estimated $420 million in premium reduction when they renew their policies between June 30, 2010 and June 29, 2011.
Credit default swaps: What are they good for?
As Congress prepares to debate the role of derivatives in banking reform, a reader asks a highly pertinent question, “One thing I have no understanding of at all: Why are “naked” credit default swaps even legal?”
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