Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, April 28
Apr 28, 2010
Above: The St. Petersburg Times reported today that Governor Crist will be announcing his U.S. Senate candidacy as an Independent.
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THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Florida Property Insurance Issue Fading
A final attempt to revamp the property insurance laws this session was “likely going down in flames” as the measure faces continued scrutiny and is running out of time, the lead House sponsor said Tuesday.
In Tallahassee today, property insurance, jobs and tension
On Wednesday, the 58th day of the session, the House plans final votes on major property insurance and jobs legislation.
Insurance agents need guidance relocating Florida policyholders
The head of a Tallahassee-based insurance agent advocacy group is asking the state regulator overseeing Northern Capital Insurance’s liquidation for guidance in relocating its 60,000 policyholders to carriers that are solvent.
U.S. House Committee Approves Congressman Klein’s Homeowners’ Insurance Bill
The Homeowners’ Defense Act, authored by Rep. Ron Klein (D-FL) and co-sponsored by more than 70 of his colleagues representing over 30 states, allows states that choose to participate to join a national catastrophe insurance pool that will drive down costs.
Florida’s 21st Century Drops Bid to Acquire Tampa-based HomeWise; Gets Rate Hike OK
Florida’s 21st Century Holding Co. has dropped its bid to acquire domestic property insurer HomeWise Holdings at the same time it reported that its own Florida property insurance unit it has received approval to raise rates 14.9 percent on some of its homeowners business.
Chinese drywall ruling watched carefully in Bay area
A federal judge’s Tuesday ruling in favor of a Louisiana family with tainted drywall imported from China leaves Bay area families wondering what the case will mean for them.
Gov. Crist signs bills related to liability cases and tomato safety into law
Businesses such as theme parks and go-cart tracks that offer potentially dangerous fun will regain liability protection for injuries to children that they lost due to a court ruling.
Relief for condo associations is closer to reality
With a number of new amendments, a bill intended to help cash-strapped condo associations is poised to become law.
Gulf Breeze gets $13.5 million for hurricane damage
Nearly six years after Hurricane Ivan damaged the Gulf Breeze fishing pier beyond repair, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved $13.5 million to compensate the city for that loss.
Red light cameras win legislative approval, with road rage, texting still in the mix
Florida intersections could soon see a new proliferation of red light cameras if Gov. Charlie Crist signs a traffic safety bill approved by the Senate Tuesday.
‘Long ride’ draws to end as Sen. Lawson says farewell
Florida’s longest-serving state legislator said goodbye to the Senate on Tuesday with a mix of humor and nostalgia.
Tough Florida pain-pill bill could pass
State lawmakers appear ready to pass a bill to crack down on pain-management clinics that have become a magnet for drug abusers — including placing restrictions on doctors who dispense more than a 72-hour supply of controlled substances.
Blog: Crist’s declaration of independence coming in St. Pete
So the word is out: Crist is telling key financial backers that he’s running for senate with no party affiliation.
Blog: Crist quietly signs Seminole compact
Gov. Charlie Crist quietly signed into law Wednesday a landmark, $1 billion gambling agreement with the Seminole Indian tribe that legalizes blackjack at five of its casinos.
$69 billion Florida budget on lawmakers’ desks; session set to end on time Friday
House and Senate budget negotiators buttoned-up a $69 billion state budget just before midnight Monday, finding millions of dollars more for public schools, state libraries, Everglades restoration and projects close to influential lawmakers this election year.
- Legislature wonders what Crist will do with budget
- Florida budget deal avoids tax hikes, major cuts
- Lawmakers assembling a bundle of tax breaks and cash incentives to promote jobs
- Southwest Florida scores biomed funds
- Tens of millions for ‘turkeys’ in state budget
- Tampa area lawmakers fight $69 million demand from authority
Tax credits for businesses: How much and who’s getting them
Here are some of the tax breaks for 2010-2011 included in a $218.5 million, three-year package (SB 1752) of business incentives that lawmakers assembled Tuesday.
Florida Senate rejects Crist’s Public Service Commission appointments
Commissioners David Klement of Bradenton and Benjamin “Steve” Stevens of Pensacola were the subject of a heated, but mostly one-sided, debate on the Senate floor. The chamber voted 23-14 against confirming Stevens on the utility-regulating commission and 21-17 to reject Klement’s appointment.
Scandals spur Florida bill requiring blood banks to open records
A season of scandal at the two blood banks that serve Palm Beach County has prodded the Florida Legislature to demand greater transparency from all nonprofits that collect and dispense donated blood in the state.
Debt Collection Bill Giving Florida Attorney General More Authority Heads to Governor for Signature
This legislation strengthens the debt collection statute by allowing the Attorney General authority to pursue violations of the debt collection statute. It also enhances the Office of Financial Regulation’s ability to pursue debt collection agencies involved in bad practices.
Renewable energy bill passes in Fla. House
The House has passed a bill encouraging electric utilities to use more solar and other renewable energy by letting them raise rates up to $386 million over three years without state approval.
Crist says oil spill proves drilling isn’t safe, withdraws his support
After a 90-minute plane flight Tuesday above the spill, which was spreading in an 80-mile by 42-mile blob, Crist said, “Clearly it could be devastating to Florida if something like that were to occur. It’s the last thing in the world I would want to see happen in our beautiful state.”
One Democratic candidate drops out after one enters race for Florida congressional seat
For the third time in nearly a month, a Democrat has exited the race against U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, as a fourth candidate has emerged, this one after changing his registration from Republican to Democrat.
Florida’s economy slowly recovering, report says
Florida’s economy turned the corner from its deep slide last summer, according to a report released Tuesday by Wells Fargo, which predicts a slow, steady economic rise in the months and years ahead.
Appeals judges ask high court for ruling on faith-group deals with public agencies
A sharply divided Florida appeals court has asked the Florida Supreme Court to determine whether state contracts with faith-based groups violate the state constitution.
House Committee Advances 5-Year Flood Insurance Extension
A bill to overhaul the troubled U.S. National Flood Insurance Program, which covers more than five million homes and businesses in flood-prone areas, was approved on Tuesday by a congressional committee.
New Orleans federal judge finds for drywall victims
The verdict, by U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon — who is overseeing the massive combined Chinese drywall litigation in New Orleans – awards $164,000 plus attorneys’ fees and court costs to Mandeville, La. couple Tatum and Charlene Hernandez.
Missouri Gov Signs Law to Speed Insurance Payments
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed legislation Tuesday that will impose new financial penalties on insurance companies that wait too long to pay claims and will give health care providers new guidance on the information they must provide insurers.
Social Media Policy Template Released Today for Insurance & Financial Services Marketplace
The Insurance Marketplace Standards Association (IMSA) today announced that it has expanded its efforts to provide compliant social media guidance and resources within the annuity, life insurance and long term care insurance arenas with today’s release of the IMSA Social Media Policy Template.
Louisiana Chinese drywall bill would bar altering, dropping insurance
A bill that would ban property insurers from changing or dropping coverage of buildings that contain Chinese drywall has passed the Louisiana Senate and moves to the Louisiana House for consideration.
CEO Forum: Thiele calls for balanced regulation
The (re)insurance industry does not contribute to systemic risk in the financial markets, says PartnerRe CEO Patrick Thiele, and supervisors should take that into account in their plans.
Drive Less, Pay Less: Insurer MileMeter Proves Long-Distance Relationships Work
Dallas-based MileMeter is the first company to offer pay-by-the-mile policies, but the idea goes back to the 1980s.
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