Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, Aug. 8

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State budget-slashing ideas leave no services untouched

Poor pregnant women could face extra hurdles to get a Caesarean section. Some criminals could spend less time in prison. Hospitals might lose money they get to treat poor immigrants. Tipsters could get less reward money to help find missing kids.

 

Potential Flaw Is Found in Design of Fallen Bridge

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 8 — Investigators have found what may be a design flaw in the bridge that collapsed here a week ago, in the steel parts that connect girders, raising safety concerns for other bridges around the country, federal officials said today.

 

Tornado Hits Brooklyn; Subway Back in Service

Most of the New York City subway system was back in service by this evening’s rush hour after a fierce morning storm disrupted transit service throughout much of the region and unleashed a rare and destructive tornado that whipped southwestern Brooklyn with winds of up to 135 miles an hour.

 

Dems to appeal for ‘mercy’ over state primary

The head of the state Republican Party, Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer of Oviedo, said Tuesday he will fight ”all the way to the convention floor” next summer against a threat to cut Florida’s nominating delegation in half because of the state’s early presidential primary.

 

Senate President Pruitt’s son dead of unknown causes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt’s oldest son died Wednesday of unknown causes, but foul play has been excluded, police said.

 

State agencies start push to enroll more in KidCare

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Several state agencies will distribute applications and information at community events and back-to-school activities to boost enrollment in the state’s subsidized health insurance program for children, officials said Wednesday.

 

State Farm execs ordered to Tallahassee hearing on dropping coastal policies

In another move to turn up the heat on property insurers, the state is giving consumers a chance to scrutinize State Farm Florida’s intention to drop 50,000 coastal policies next year.

 

Bernice V. Setnor, 75

Opened family insurance agency

Bernice V. Setnor set a valuable example for her three daughters, South Florida career women who today balance commitments to their professions, families and communities.

 

No-fault expiration may raise health premiums

DAYTONA BEACH — If Florida’s no-fault car insurance system is allowed to expire Oct. 1, employers and workers can expect to be hit with higher health insurance premiums, the state’s chief financial officer warned Tuesday.

 

It’s Time To Rein In Insurers, Fasano Says

WESLEY CHAPEL – State Sen. Mike Fasano isn’t known for mincing words when it comes to Florida’s insurance problem.

 

Justice explores run for House

The St. Petersburg Democrat looks at Rep. Young’s post.

Who was that fellow in Washington last week talking with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee about running against U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young? None other than state Sen. Charlie Justice.

 

Insurance fix may be in Cabinet under Sink

Six months ago, when Floridians were clamoring for insurance relief, legislators promised us the moon.

 

Suit Filed Over FEMA Trailer Toxins

More than 500 hurricane survivors living in government-issued trailers and mobile homes are accusing the manufacturers of using inferior construction materials in a profit-driven rush to build them for the federal government.

 

More memos foretold dumping of Proenza

Bill Proenza was doomed as National Hurricane Center director two weeks before his superiors sent a team to Miami in July to assess his leadership, internal documents suggest.

 

U.S. May Join Lawsuit Claiming Insurers Defrauded Government Over Katrina Claims

The U.S. Department of Justice is weighing whether to intervene in a lawsuit that accuses insurance companies of overbilling the federal government for flood damage from Hurricane Katrina, a judge who unsealed the case on Monday said.

 

Mortgage Insurer’s Deal in Doubt

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 8 (AP) — The private-mortgage insurer MGIC Investment said on Tuesday that it did not believe that it had to complete its $4.9 billion purchase of the credit risk manager Radian Group after their joint interest in a mortgage investor became all but worthless.

 

Op-Ed:  Florida drivers need the PIP coverage

Drivers in Florida are facing a crisis. If Florida’s elected officials allow the system of mandatory auto insurance that has served the public well for more than 30 years to expire this coming Oct. 1, driving in the state will become more dangerousand costly.

 

Pastor Charged With Defrauding Followers

A prominent pastor accused of falsifying life insurance documents to profit from deaths in his congregation was charged with theft and forgery, the attorney general said Tuesday.

 

Unsubsidized health-care insurance is needed

Filmmaker Michael Moore is a heck of a propagandist. After seeing his movie Sicko, a condemnation of the American health care system and a testimonial to the superb medical care available in the workers’ paradise of Cuba, he almost had me thinking Fidel’s way should be America’s way.

 

In Florida, dirty money is big business

For years, Miami bankers have insisted that the billions of dollars in their bank vaults were clean.  But the record $65 million in sanctions federal regulators assessed against Miami-based American Express Bank International this week underscores that the era of dirty dollars flowing through local financial networks remains a problem.

 

Who’s going to watch out for the little guy?

As always, I was awakened by a sudden draft through the closed windows, saw the curtains ominously stirring and sensed that someone was in my bedroom. Without even looking up, I knew it was my long-dead grandfather, an immigrant of socialist leanings and what he would call common sense. Wearily, I went through the drill.