Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, December 22
Dec 22, 2010
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- Bonus Holiday Story: 12 Days of Riskmas–An Insurance Broker’s Tale
Net profits for U.S. property and casualty insurers rose 63 percent to $26.7 billion for the first nine months of 2010 from $16.4 billion for the same period in 2009, according to a report released Tuesday by insurance industry trade groups
Hillsborough to have plan today for landfill sinkhole
The Hillsborough Solid Waste Department is expected to tell state environmental regulators today how it plans to fix a massive sinkhole that has swallowed up part of a landfill in Lithia.
Fort Lauderdale looks for ways to stem flooding woes
The city that loves to describe itself as the Venice of America is searching for ways to hold back the tides.
A man attempting to smoke a bee colony out of his suburban Lake Worth home Tuesday, instead started a fire that caused about $50,000 in damage, injured no one and failed to evict the bees, according to Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue.
Jupiter woman gets money to weatherize her condo
A clunky air conditioner was replaced, new insulation installed and rattling windows sealed in Susan Martin’s condominium, done for free by a state program that weatherizes South Florida homes.
Florida surgeon general resigns after scathing criticism by Rick Scott transition team
Health Department shake-up planned under new governor
Florida Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros, head of the state Department of Health, is resigning in the wake of a withering attack on her management by Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s transition team.
Scott Transition Team Gets Health Care Recommendations
Some of the work of the state’s health care agencies should be consolidated, the state should push for repeal of the federal health care law, and shifting of Medicaid patients to managed care should continue, Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s health care transition team recommended.
Scott advisors doubt need for public hospitals
Advisors to Governor-elect Rick Scott are questioning the need for the state’s public hospitals — a group that includes Jackson Health System and the North and South Broward hospital districts.
Feds: Medicare bilked for inhaler drugs in Florida
A scam tricked Medicare into paying for nearly 10 times more units of an inhaler drug than were available in South Florida, costing taxpayers millions, according to a federal investigation released Wednesday.
Blog: Florida Medical Association first out of the gate to fight Scott’s regulatory reforms
Gov.-elect Rick Scott is being advised to impose some radical reconstructive surgery on state government to consolidate Florida agencies tasked with overseeing everything from hosptials and highways to clean water and air.
Battle over Florida redistricting begins
Florida legislators got the official go-ahead Tuesday to start a two-year argument over redrawing the state’s congressional and legislative districts.
Gus Bilirakis to Chair Major Disaster Preparedness Subcommittee
Florida Republican hammered FEMA for giving money to ACORN
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will chair the Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response Subcommittee of the Homeland Security Committee — giving the Florida Republican leadership the job of overseeing FEMA and emergency responses
Connie Mack, Tom Rooney Will Lead Congressional Subcommittees
Two Florida Republicans — both of whom are possible candidates to take on Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012 — announced Tuesday that they would be chairing congressional subcommittees when their party takes over the U.S. House in January.
Florida bank losses hit $2 billion
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. surpassed $2 billion in losses in Florida for 2010, with last Friday’s regulatory seizure of the Bank of Miami, according to a new Condo Vultures ”White Paper.”
J.P. Morgan settles with Florida for $25 million
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC has agreed to pay Florida $25 million to resolve allegations it sold unregistered securities to the state’s local government investment pool
Florida, U.S. birth rates continue to decline
U.S. birth rates continued to hit record lows in 2009, the second consecutive year of declines, with Florida birth rates show dramatic declines since the economy began to fail in 2007, according to a federal report released this morning.
Economist predicts a rosier 2011 for South Florida
South Florida’s economy should be ready to take off by the end of 2011 as once-glum economic forecasts get rosier
A leading Florida economist sees the Sunshine State turning a corner in 2011, with a weak recovery gaining steam and the downturn left behind as a painful — albeit lingering — memory.
2 Years After Ike, Texas Coastal Residents Still Filing Claims
Windstorm claims from Hurricane Ike continue to be reported more than two years after the storm made landfall. The Texas Windstorm Insurance Association continues to average receiving at least one new claim every day from the victims of the costliest storm to ever hit the Texas coast.
Guy Carpenter among three insurers joining for oil well policies
A new consortium announced Tuesday aims to provide stronger insurance coverage for U.S. deep-water drilling amid congressional proposals to boost liability limits after this year’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill.