Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, Feb. 20

 

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State goes after Allstate on code violations

A broader pursuit alleges also seeks to block the insurer from writing new policies.

Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty went after Allstate on a second, broader front Tuesday by filing an administrative complaint alleging multiple violations of the Florida Insurance Code and seeking to suspend the company’s ability to write new insurance policies in the state.

Florida agency outlines case against Allstate

State insurance officials outlined why they want to bar Allstate Insurance Co. and its affiliates from selling policies in Florida in a written complaint to the company.

State aims to shift insurance risk

Reagan’s plan would put portion of burden back on private firms

State Rep. Ron Reagan plans to introduce a bill Thursday that would shift some of the hurricane-risk burden from taxpayers back to private insurers.

Lawmakers look anew at storm insurance rates

A new bill would allow homeowners to buy a windstorm policy from a state program for a lower cost upfront but assessments could come later.

With this year’s legislative session just two weeks away, lawmakers are once again weighing proposals aimed at making insurance coverage more affordable and available.

Gov. Crist says health insurance is his No. 1 legislative priority

Teachers’ pay, energy credits on agenda

Pushing beyond his political battles over property taxes, Gov. Charlie Crist now is touting a legislative agenda that focuses on establishing low-cost health insurance for the working poor, promotes higher teacher salaries and seeks tax breaks for businesses involved in solar and wind energy technologies.

Lawmakers put adult arcade discussion on hold

Sunrise resident Lillian Kirschenberg, 83, likens adult arcade amusement centers to summer camp for seniors.

Legislature set to revise condo, homeowner association laws

The countdown is on.

Governor Crist Creates Task Force to Prevent Home Foreclosure

Experts in mortgage and banking industries, consumer advocates and policy experts to develop recommendations

Governor Charlie Crist today created the Florida Home Ownership Promotes the Economy (HOPE) Task Force by Executive Order 08-27 to develop an action plan to address Florida’s escalating foreclosure rate.

State of State set for shift to night

Gov. Charlie Crist will break with tradition March 4 when he gives the annual State of the State address at night in hopes of reaching a statewide TV audience. But his timing could pose a problem.

3 Convicted in Florida Workers’ Compensation Scheme

Three Florida business owners have been convicted in Jacksonville in a workers compensation scheme.

Candidate hopes underdog status propels him to House

The Rev. Charles McKenzie, a longtime Sarasota activist and educator, knows he is the underdog in what will be a hasty race to replace Frank Peterman in the state Legislature.

Pruitt wants voters to choose education commissioner again

Senate President Ken Pruitt said Tuesday that he plans to push for a constitutional amendment that would return the state education commissioner to an elected position.

Candidate takes unaffiliated tack

Former Broward County Commissioner and former state legislator Ben Graber said Tuesday he’ll drop his Democratic primary challenge of U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, and instead run as a no-party candidate against Wexler in November.

Wind twists Chumuckla barn to pieces

Alvin Enfinger’s new $40,000 metal barn was supposed to withstand winds of 140 mph.

Florida vignettes after Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba’s president

A man wearing a white suit, red bow tie and a stars-and-stripes top hat danced and flashed the peace sign in front of the Versailles restaurant in Little Havana.

NASA deals blow to Florida’s spaceport dreams

A Virginia company lands a contract that could undermine Florida’s ambitions.

In a sharp blow to Florida, NASA on Tuesday chose Virginia-based Orbital Sciences to develop a spacecraft to supply the international space station after the space shuttle is retired in 2010.

Evolution standard grew by two words

Even amid a heated debate about teaching evolution, the state Board of Education found a way to rewrite its science standards without having to side with God or Charles Darwin.

IRS Tax Code Change Called Threat to Captive Insurance States

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is asking the U.S. Treasury to block a pending tax code change seen by some as a threat to Vermont’s captive insurance industry.

Supreme Court rejects Allstate appeal on Texas auto repair law

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Allstate Corp.’s challenge to a Texas law that restricts insurance company ownership of auto collision repair shops.

 

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