Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, April 9
Apr 9, 2008
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Court urges Allstate to act quickly
Both state insurance regulators and Allstate claimed a share of victory with a court order Tuesday in their ongoing political and legal battle.
Court Moves Up Allstate Deadline to Comply With Florida
Allstate’s companies doing business in Florida will have to stop writing new policies after April 14 if the insurance giant fails to apply for a rehearing by then, state officials said Tuesday.
Florida’s CFO opposes extending rate freeze on Citizens Insurance
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said Tuesday she opposes extending a freeze on Citizens Property Insurance Corp.’s rates another year.
A proposal to no longer let the state-run insurer write policies that cover only hurricane damage could lead to higher premiums and less coverage, according to agents around the state.
Lawmakers want to take $250M from Citizens’ insurance reserves
At the same time they are trying to reduce Floridians’ risk in future hurricanes, state lawmakers also want to take $250 million out of reserves held by Citizens Property Insurance to pay private carriers willing to take policies from the state-run insurer.
‘Recapture bill’ sails through committee
Rep. Nick Thompson’s “recapture bill,†requiring property assessments to reflect the decrease or increase in just property value, passed the House Government Efficiency and Accountability committee Tuesday, with no debate and virtually no questions.
A House bill carrying Gov. Charlie Crist’s proposal to offer limited-benefit health insurance could confuse or even coerce Floridians into buying insurance that does not meet their needs, state insurance regulators warned Tuesday.
State Senate panel awards $80,000 contract to law firm with attorney linked to anti-insurance group
The Florida Senate’s no-bid $80,000 contract for legal advice on property insurance went to a law firm that employs an attorney with ties to a well-known anti-insurance law firm.
Budget revised; funds still short
Senate plan would cut public health spending by nearly $1 billion; House plan would stop Florida Forever funding
Gov. Charlie Crist may be riding high in public opinion surveys, but as grim-faced lawmakers clash over billions in budget cuts, for now he’s barely a blip on the radar.
County’s hurricane education receives national award
The National Hurricane Conference’s award committee recognized the county’s public education efforts as the best in the nation during its annual awards luncheon on April 3 in Orlando.
Workers’ Comp Case Heard By Florida Supreme Court
The case of Emma Murray v. Mariner Health/Ace USA was argued this morning, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 before the Florida Supreme Court.
Congressman’s help in race may backfire
As a first-time candidate for Congress, Miami Democrat Joe Garcia welcomes the support of one of his party’s highest-ranking leaders.
Senate to Vote on Bill to Allow Guns in Cars at Work
Doug and Linda Gray used to leave their home before sunrise every morning to make an hour-long commute to work at Walt Disney World.
Compensation bill moves forward in Senate
A global compensation bill for the wrongfully incarcerated moved forward in the state Senate Tuesday with a provision that would require applicants to have no prior felonies before they could be automatically compensated for their lost liberty.
Bill would open some DCF records
Some records in the Department of Children and Families may become more open to affected children and the public under a bill moving through the House and Senate.
Crowd at immigration workshop urges lawmakers to act
A workshop to briefly outline several immigration-related bills attracted a crowded audience Tuesday, with many stepping up to urge legislative action.
Levees’ flood damage is not covered, court rules
An insurance company is not obligated to pay for water damage from the failure of New Orleans-area levees after Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana’s highest court ruled Tuesday in a case that could affect thousands of homeowners.
California: Group Demands: Impose Allstate Rate Cuts
A California consumer group said controversial documents from a consulting firm used by Allstate that were released Friday are justification for regulators to slash the company’s rates, even though it had not examined them.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com