Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, December 29
Dec 29, 2010
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THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: District Court of Appeals Overturns 48-Hour Public Adjuster Ban
A Florida appeals court on Wednesday struck down a ban on public insurance adjusters soliciting business in the first 48 hours after a catastrophe saying the law “unconstitutionally burdens” commercial free speech rights.
Scott finds emergency management chief at Wal-Mart
Governor-elect Rick Scott got to work on filling some key agency positions today, naming new heads for Florida’s prison system and emergency management department.
Despite years of quiet hurricane seasons, some industry experts say Treasure Coast homeowners could be receiving higher home insurance premiums with less coverage in the coming months.
Strong support for red light cameras in Hillsborough, Pinellas
Billy Faedo was stopped at a Tampa intersection on Christmas Eve when his light turned green. He prepared to turn left when a scooter flew past the front-end of his car.
Scott hires outsiders to run prison system, emergency management
Governor-elect Rick Scott looked outside Florida to hire the first two agency heads in his new administration.
Former Hillsborough County prosecutor Nick Cox was appointed today as Florida’s Statewide Prosecutor.
Scott to announce blind trust for his millions
It’s the $218 million question.
Rick Scott, the richest man ever elected Florida governor, is about to announce how he intends to put a respectable distance between the first public office he’s ever held and the private fortune that fueled his rise to the top.
Senator Mike Fasano Seeks Cuts in Retirement Benefits for Elected Officials
If the Florida Legislature is going to make up the $3.5 billion deficit facing the state by reducing spending, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, thinks elected officials should start by cutting their own benefits.
Crowd jostles for vacant seat in Florida Senate
With Frederica Wilson’s departure for Washington, a domino effect means a pair of elections have been set for early in the new year to fill two spots in the Legislature.
The election of Democrat Frederica Wilson to Congress last month set off a scramble to replace her in the Florida Senate — and triggered another race for a Florida House seat.
Lawsuits piling up for Environmental Protection Agency
The lawsuits being filed against the Environmental Protection Agency are piling up, and more are likely to come following the agency’s decision to set nutrient pollution limits for Florida’s waters.
In his last full week as governor, Charlie Crist has spent much of his time making appointments, many to minor boards and commissions, and to some county and circuit court judgeships.
Senator George LeMieux returns to law firm
U.S. Senator George LeMieux will return to Gunster law firm after leaving office.
Statewide grand jury focuses on Broward school construction deals
The school district’s construction program is under the microscope of a statewide grand jury that was convened after several local officials were arrested.
Poll Shows Close GOP Primary Battles in 2012
If Jeb Bush is out there’s no favorite to take on Bill Nelson, while Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich lead presidential pack
A poll from Public Policy Polling (PPP), a firm with connections to national Democrats, shows that Florida Republicans can expect close primary battles in the presidential race as well as the contest to take on Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
Allstate sues Countrywide over toxic investments
Allstate Corp. has filed a federal lawsuit against Countrywide Financial Corp. over $700 million in toxic mortgage-backed securities that the insurer bought beginning in 2005, only to see their value decline rapidly.
Will Cat Model Revision Up Inland Pricing, Lower Coastal Rates, Standard & Poor’s Asks
The planned revision of a catastrophe model set for early spring 2011 could impact reinsurance pricing on Jan. 1, and property insurance prices in coastal and inland areas, a rating agency analyst said recently.
Ambulance fees increasing across USA
When a Gig Harbor, Wash., Fire & Medic One ambulance speeds toward a hospital, medics are focused on saving lives, not money, says Medical Division Chief Paul Berlin.
Insurance companies making major rebound over 2009 performance
American International Group, the company repaying a $182.3 billion government rescue, led the insurance industry to its best year since 2003 as investments strengthened.
Flagstone Re Places $210 Million Cat Bond Using RMS Paradex Indices
Flagstone Reassurance Suisse SA and Risk Management Solutions have announced the successful placement of $210 million of multi-peril Montana Re 2010-1 Notes, the second offering sponsored through the Montana Re shelf program.
Dodd-Frank Implementation Leads PCI Federal Priority List for 2011
Working with regulators on implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act will be the top federal priority in 2011 for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). In addition, PCI will work on a number of other key initiatives including the extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), promotion of competitive crash parts legislation and preservation of the McCarran-Ferguson Act.
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