Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, August 13
Aug 13, 2008
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Regulators demanded explanations from State Farm as it defended its 47.1 percent rate-increase request at a public hearing.
Regulators grilled State Farm officials Tuesday, demanding explanations to justify the 47.1 percent rate hike the insurer says it needs to pay future claims.
Crist hopes panel kills rate hike
State regulators on Tuesday aggressively grilled State Farm officials asking them to justify their request for an average 47 percent increase in homeowners’ insurance rates.
State Farm won’t drop 31,000 policies
State Farm Florida Insurance has told the Office of Insurance Regulation that its actuary was incorrect when she said the company planned to drop an additional 31,000 policies Tuesday morning.
Hurricane insurance hearings create own storm for State Farm
When State Farm officials appeared before Florida regulators Tuesday to seek a 47.1 percent statewide average rate hike, Office of Insurance Regulation general counsel Steve Parton zeroed in on why State Farm averaged the results of three hurricane models.
EDITORIAL: With neighbors like State Farm, who needs enemies?
I know, “when it rains, it pours.” But in the midst of our economic storm, State Farm brings Noah to mind. Amazingly, State Farm officials kept a straight face Tuesday in trying to defend their requested 47 percent increase for homeowners insurance. With 900,000 Floridians affected, state regulators could’ve grilled the officials for six hours instead of three.
Analyst: Insurer Turning Back Clock
State Farm Florida wants to raise home insurance rates nearly 50 percent statewide, but its proposal is loaded with excessive costs and profits, Florida’s consumer advocate said Tuesday.
Mortgage Chief Resigns; Emergency Rules Instituted
Don Saxon told the Cabinet on Tuesday that he wanted to keep his job until the state concludes its audit of his office’s licensing and regulation of mortgage brokers.
Florida’s top regulator of mortgage brokers said Tuesday that he will leave his post Sept. 30 amid continuing criticism for allowing thousands of ex-convicts to obtain mortgage brokering licenses and, in some cases, commit fraud.
Florida reins in mortgage brokers
Gov. Charlie Crist and the state Cabinet on Tuesday barred white-collar convicts jailed for financial crimes from becoming mortgage brokers in Florida, imposing the state’s toughest-ever rules in reaction to a scandal over lax licensing standards that allowed criminals to push home loans.
Protecting a home and saving money
Q. How are mitigation discounts set?
EDITORIAL: Helping citizens protect property should be state priority
On July 29, Florida’s State Board of Administration voted to spend $224 million in return for a billionaire’s pledge. Warren Buffett, the ‘Oracle of Omaha,’ guaranteed that his Berkshire Hathaway firm would buy $4 billion in state bonds if a storm caused more damage than Florida’s catastrophe fund could cover.
FIU network aims to help businesses recover after hurricanes
Researchers have developed a Web-based system to help businesses share vital information after a hurricane.
Emergency managers have long warned residents in hurricane-prone South Florida to be prepared with disaster plans, but researchers at Florida International University say businesses need plans, too.
Brown & Brown buys Kentucky firm
Brown & Brown Inc. has acquired Reed Brothers Insurance Group of Columbia, Ky., which also has a Tampa office, company officials announced Tuesday.
State bans bias in small-group market; insurers fight back
Two United Health subsidiaries in Florida have challenged a proposed state rule that would force them to treat all small businesses the same, whether they’re a mom-and-pop shop or a sizeable company with four dozen workers.
Experts try to close health-care gap for minorities
Health experts are meeting in Tampa today to find ways of improving medical care for minorities across Florida.
Florida House Hopefuls Meet in Dist. 64 Forum
The three Republican candidates for Florida House District 64 appeared Tuesday night in the first League of Women Voters forums of this election year.
Bilirakis challengers debate their differences
With the primary just two weeks away, three Democratic contenders in the 9th Congressional District race debated Social Security and energy policy Tuesday in a campaign forum.
State Rep. Trey Traviesa, a staunch Republican known for his strong antiabortion views, announced Tuesday that he wasn’t seeking re-election in a race where he was a clear favorite.
Four candidates vying for House 10 seat
Term limits are forcing Republican Will Kendrick of Carrabelle to step down from House District 10.
State House District 100 challenger’s charges draws fire from Jenne
In what had been a quiet campaign for the state House District 100 seat, challenger Robert Kellner is trying to mix it up with incumbent Evan Jenne.
Representative Connie Mack: Pelosi must lead or get out of the way
House speaker stalls action on energy
America’s energy crisis has been years in the making. But for the past two years, while gas prices across the country have nearly doubled, the Democrat-led Congress, controlled by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, has consistently refused to act on comprehensive solutions that will lead to our long-term energy independence.
U.S. Senator Nelson: Russia’s actions could hurt US space program
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said he fears Russia’s aggressive action against Georgia may have some serious consequences on the American space program.
Judge to hear tax swap amendment challenge
A ballot proposal that would swap property tax cuts for increases in other taxes is getting its day in court.
Judge orders transfer of land use amendment case
The statewide battle royale over whether the November ballot should include a proposed amendment requiring citizens to vote on changes to a community land use plans landed in the wrong court, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
Older inmates take a toll on Florida tax dollars
When 83-year-old Hugo “Bud” Kladivko shuffled into the Florida penal system last month, he joined a prison group whose surging membership poses costly problems behind bars: the elderly.
Settlement gives 10 million Fla. drivers $1 credit
About 10 million Florida motorists will get $1 off their annual vehicle registration renewals in 2009-10 as the result of a federal lawsuit settlement approved Tuesday by Gov. Charlie Crist and the state Cabinet.
Fast SunPass lanes a finalist for national prize
A project that allows drivers on Florida’s Turnpike to zip through toll plazas at regular highway speeds is in the running for nation’s top transportation project.
Everglades reservoir puts sugar deal at risk, judge told
Environmental groups warned a Miami federal judge that forcing construction of a giant Everglades restoration reservoir could jeopardize a bigger deal to buy U.S. Sugar.
For decades, environmental groups have pushed to speed up Everglades restoration but on Tuesday they urged a federal judge in Miami not to step in and force the state to resume work on a key project halted in May.
A petition filed with state regulators says some Florida Power & Light customers should be entitled to refunds for participating in a discontinued green energy program.
Florida Power & Light’s customers who contributed millions of dollars to a much-criticized green energy program should be entitled to refunds, says a Jupiter energy consultant in a document filed with state regulators.
Raytheon to start groundwater cleanup within 90 days
Raytheon plans to start cleaning up pollution at its St. Petersburg property within 90 days, a first step toward remedying all of the underground contamination in the Azalea neighborhood, the company announced Tuesday.
OP-ED: Blaming global warming for everything
We’re heading into the heart of hurricane season, and any day now, a storm will barrel toward the United States, inspiring all the TV weather reporters to find a beach where they can lash themselves to a palm tree. We can be certain of two things: First, we’ll be told that the wind is blowing very hard and the surf is up. Second, some expert will tell us that this storm might be a harbinger of global warming.
US raises hurricane research funding
Budget for 2009 increased to $17m to improve forecasting
The US Government is bolstering funding for hurricane research and forecast improvements by $13m to help scientific research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
California: Thousands whose health policies were canceled to be offered new coverage
The state reaches agreement with Kaiser, Health Net and PacifiCare that will also provide for compensation for medical bills. Lawyers balk at the notification process.
About 3,400 Californians whose health insurance was canceled by Kaiser, Health Net and PacifiCare after they got sick will soon receive notification that they may be eligible for new coverage and for compensation for medical bills they paid while they were uninsured.
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