Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, August 4

Aug 4, 2010

 

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Florida Home Insurer Royal Palm Asks for 22% Increase

Royal Palm Insurance Co. is having a hearing before the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation to discuss its proposed rate hike for its dwelling/fire line of insurance.

 

A.M. Best updates Florida Family Insurance, others

A.M. Best Co., Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) released ratings updates.

 

DeLand Police stop-stick death suit settled

The city and its insurance company will pay $100,000 to the family of a DeLand man killed in a car crash after police stop sticks were used on a fleeing suspect’s vehicle.

 

Florida lawmakers seek Medicaid cost-cutting answers

Incoming Florida Senate President Mike Haridolopos is leading a three-day bus tour in search of ideas for cutting soaring Medicaid costs.

 

BankAtlantic loses $51M, to sell Tampa branches 

BankAtlantic Bancorp fell short of stock analysts’ expectations, announcing a $51.3 million second quarter loss and that its Tampa operations are for sale.

 

Florida Supreme Court to review challenge to healthcare-related Amendment 9

The Florida Supreme Court has received a challenge to a fifth proposed constitutional amendment.

 

Lawsuit claims that Florida’s largest foreclosure firm faked documents

Florida’s purported largest foreclosure law firm filed thousands of documents to take people’s homes that contained deceptive and intentionally ambiguous information, according to a proposed class action lawsuit.

 

Florida Senate to reorganize, lay off some employees this week

The pink slips have started going out in the Florida Senate, with some long-serving legislative aides losing their jobs as President-designate Mike Haridopolos begins reorganizing the committee structure and cutting the chamber’s staff.

 

Blog:  State will not appeal campaign finance ruling

Florida will not appeal a federal court ruling that put a temporary hold on a program that offers taxpayer assistance to statewide candidates competing against wealthy, self-funded competitors.

 

Florida confirms 24 cases of dengue fever in Key West

The Florida Department of Health confirmed an increase in the number of cases of dengue fever acquired in the Key West area.

 

Florida tourism boosted by BP funds, but Crist asked to do more

Funds that oil giant BP gave Florida for tourism marketing boosted the summer travel season for Broward County, but more help is needed to bolster business and jobs this fall and winter, Broward tourism and economic development leaders told Gov. Charlie Crist in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday.

 

Navy Secretary hears oil spill concerns in Florida

President Barack Obama’s point man for the restoration of the Gulf Coast told a standing-room only audience Tuesday night that the region’s recovery from the devastating oil spill will rely on a mix of science, research and engaged citizens.

 

Four Florida stimulus-funded programs slammed as wasteful

Four stimulus projects in Florida, including a $1 million grant to coordinate 14 traffic lights, were deemed wasteful spending in a report that slams how government stimulus money is being spent.

 

New Florida caregiver background screening network not ready

Florida has tougher, new background screening requirements for caregivers, but an electronic fingerprinting network to help put them into effect isn’t fully ready yet.

 

Blog:  Florida Chamber endorses all-GOP Central Florida legislative slate   

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has announced its endorsements of legislative candidates in Central Florida. Not surprisingly, there’s not a single Democrat among them.

 

Florida Senate hopeful Greene contacts Warren Buffett to dispel ads run by Democratic rival Meek

Jeff Greene reached out to fellow billionaire Warren Buffett to help defend himself against Florida Democratic Senate rival Kendrick Meek’s attack ads.

 

Browning poses first GOP challenge in 20 years for U.S. Rep. Stearns

Roughly one of every five Americans approves of the job Congress is doing, according to a sample of public opinion polls.

 

Florida Lottery begins NFL-themed scratch-off game

The Florida Lottery, seizing on pigskin fever in a football-rich state, has unveiled a new scratch-off game with jackpots of up to $100,000 on tickets that display the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

Praeger to Retain Post as Kansas Insurance Commissioner

Sandy Praeger prevailed over challenger David Powell in the Aug. 3 Republican primary to secure the nomination for Kansas Insurance Commissioner. Because there are no challengers from any other party for the November election, the primary win means Praeger, the incumbent, will retain the commissioner’s post.

 

Marsh & McLennan Companies Closes Deal To Sell Kroll

Marsh & McLennan Companies has completed its deal to sell risk consulting firm Kroll to Altegrity Inc.

 

Louisiana Insurance commissioner:  Buy flood coverage, file for rebate

Damage from polluted water will be covered by homeowners’ insurance if floodwaters inundate your home, Louisiana’s top insurance official said Monday.

 

NASA readies hurricane study

NASA Langley Research Center employees – using technology developed decades ago in Hampton – are preparing to join one of the agency’s most comprehensive studies of hurricanes.

 

News Release:  IRS Realigns and Renames Large Business Division, Enhances Focus on International Tax Administration

As part of a continuing effort to improve global tax administration efforts, Internal Revenue Service officials announced today the realignment of the Large and Mid-Size Business division to create a more centralized organization dedicated to improving international tax compliance.

 

 

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