Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, Aug. 1

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Angry Crist wants insurance executives to testify

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist ratcheted up his anger with property insurers Tuesday, saying he favors calling insurance company executives to testify under oath before the Legislature about why they’re not lowering prices for consumers.

 

Crist: Insurance companies conspiring to keep rates high

Accusing insurers of conspiring to keep home hurricane premiums high, Gov. Charlie Crist is seeking new weapons against the industry.

 

Crist leans on insurers to cut rates

Confronted with the unraveling of one of his major political promises, Gov. Charlie Crist accused insurers Tuesday of ”playing games” with property insurance and said he has ordered the state to examine whether companies are following the state law that was supposed to deliver big savings to consumers.

 

Insurers Flouting Law, Crist Suggests

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Charlie Crist suggested Tuesday that some property insurers may be deliberately flouting a new state law that requires them to buy cheaper reinsurance and pass the savings on to consumers.

 

Citizens policy change could save you money

State-backed Citizens Property Insurance said Tuesday it will begin offering a single policy to its wind-only customers starting today, a move that company officials say will simplify coverage for its policyholders and, in many cases, result in a lower combined premium.

 

Storm Grants Out, Saving Money In

LAKELAND – Despite new restrictions in a grant program meant to harden homes against high winds, owners of site-built homes in Polk County can still get a reduction on their home insurance if they renovate to protect against wind damage.

 

State lawmaker pitches plan to eliminate property taxes

A lawmaker eyes a higher sales tax or more fees.

TALLAHASSEE — A Republican lawmaker is planning a ballot proposal that could include a higher sales tax and other fees in an effort to do away with property taxes.

 

FEMA suspends use of trailers for storm victims

FEMA has frozen the use of travel trailers nationwide — including 500 in Florida — that it would use to house hurricane victims this summer, as it investigates whether trailers housing victims of Hurricane Katrina are riddled with dangerous levels of formaldehyde.

 

Labor fraud-probe report finds multilevel breakdowns

Officials at Broward County’s labor agency didn’t follow the rules they had put in place to prevent fraud, allowing one clerk to steal more than $2 million from the local employment agency, state investigators found in a recent inquiry into Broward Workforce One.

 

State revenue estimate down by nearly $1.5 billion

Florida’s slumping economy is expected to cost the state government nearly $1.5 billion in lost taxes during this budget year and the one that ended June 30, state economists said Wednesday.

 

Bear Stearns Hedge Fund Investor Files Claim

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Bear Stearns Cos was hit on Wednesday by a legal claim stemming from the meltdown of two of its hedge funds, sending its shares, already under pressure from woes at a third fund, to a 19-month low.

 

State, Advocates Struggle With KidCare Money Debate

TALLAHASSEE – “If you’re healthy and you know it, then your face will surely show it; if you’re healthy and you know it, clap your hands.”

 

Luxury Auto-Theft Ring Busted in N.J.

A sophisticated, multistate operation stole dozens of luxury cars and planned to ship them as far away as West Africa and the Middle East for sale at up to twice their U.S. sticker price, police said Wednesday in announcing eight arrests in the case.

 

Crist takes right steps to protect Florida’s future

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California made a prediction at Gov. Charlie Crist’s recent Summit on Global Climate Change in Miami. He warned that Crist’s bold initiatives would be attacked. Unfortunately, Schwarzenegger was right.

 

Bridge collapses into Mississippi near Twin Cities

(AP) — The entire span of an interstate bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during evening rush hour Wednesday, sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water.

 

Senate panel approves catastrophe insurance commission

WASHINGTON — A Senate committee unanimously agreed Wednesday to a bill that would create a commission of experts to research the possibility of a natural catastrophe fund.

 

Lawmakers set to trim budget

Work begins ahead of Sept. special session

After proclaiming local governments should go on a diet, state lawmakers are about to lead by example. Facing a potential $1 billion shortfall, lawmakers will have to squeeze savings, reduce services or lay off workers.

 

Let’s Chalk This One Up To Old-Fashioned Competition

It’s amazing what a little competition will do in government.

A couple of months ago, Pasco County officials appeared set to renew the its longtime health insurance contract with Blue Cross-Blue Shield to cover about 2,000 employees. After negotiations with a county committee, the insurer proposed a rate increase of about 6 percent, down from an initial 13 percent boost.

 

Local legislative leaders skewer special sessions

State leaders Tuesday night told a room of their strongest supporters that they could have done a better job on insurance and property-tax reform earlier this year.

 

Florida voting chief aims to block hackers

Computer hackers can change election results on certain voting machines used in 25 Florida counties and not leave a trace, according to Florida’s secretary of state, who has given Diebold Election Systems until Aug. 17 to fix the problem or lose the right to operate in the state.

 

Marsh Names CEO To U.S. Business

Mark Feuer was named chief executive officer of insurance broker Marsh’s U.S. business, a new position in the company.

 

NSM Acquires Fla. Hotel Program Administrator Target Insurance Group

National insurance broker NSM Insurance Group of Conshohocken, Pa. reports it has acquired Brandon, Fla.-based Target Insurance Group, program administrator of the Express Hotel Motel Program.