Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, February 18
Feb 18, 2009
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Insurer pledges to take 100,000 State Farm policies
Florida Peninsula Insurance Co. is jumping into the State Farm scramble, pledging Tuesday to take up to 100,000 potentially displaced customers as State Farm pulls out of Florida’s property insurance market.
Lawmakers want tougher regs on construction cranes
Two state Republican lawmakers are pushing a bill that would toughen regulation on cranes and hoisting equipment at construction worksites.
Florida Legislators Sponsor Anti-Annuity Fraud Law
With Florida’s aging population in mind, two local legislators have spearheaded an initiative that would bring harsher penalties to sellers of annuities who defraud their clients.
Scope widens in Chinese drywall case
Drywall produced by Knauf Tianjin Plasterboard Co. Ltd. — one of the problematic manufacturers identified so far — made it to the inland town of Sebring, about 90 miles east of Sarasota in Highlands County, the Herald-Tribune has confirmed.
North Miami Beach condo wins $20.4 million in Hurricane Wilma suit
A North Miami Beach condominium association trying to repair structural damage to its two-building complex from Hurricane Wilma has won a $20.4 million jury verdict against QBE Insurance, one of the largest condo insurers in Florida.
Florida Legislature told brain injuries on the rise
Advocates for Florida brain injury patients made a plea Tuesday in the halls of the state Legislature: Don’t cut the money for our services.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Senate Committee Vote Delayed on Lip Council Elimination
A Senate health care panel on Wednesday deferred a vote on legislation that would abolish a hospital-dominated panel that helps decide how $1 billion in Medicaid dollars are spent.
Gov. Charlie Crist hails stimulus plan in Fort Lauderdale
Gov. Charlie Crist, who broke ranks with Republican leaders to support President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan, received a standing ovation Wednesday from a crowd of about 250 people at a town hall-style meeting in Fort Lauderdale.
Fla. smoker’s widow gets $8M in damages
Philip Morris was ordered by a jury to pay $8 million in damages to the widow of a smoker who died of lung cancer in a case that could set a standard for some 8,000 similar Florida lawsuits.
Bradenton Legislator’s Bill Could Delay, Kill Everglades Deal
A Tampa Bay lawmaker has filed legislation that could stall or even stop Florida from sealing its historic deal with U.S. Sugar to purchase the Everglades for restoration.
Bronson: Agriculture economic ‘bright spot’
Hurricanes, drought, crop diseases and hard times have cut farm earnings nearly in half, but agriculture remains a bright spot in Florida’s economic outlook, Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said Tuesday.
North Miami mayor enters primary race for U.S. Senate
Being openly gay is just a ‘side note,’ Burns says
Facing term limits that prevent him from running again to lead his city, North Miami Mayor Ken Burns announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Poll shows public wants Crist to seek re-election
A new poll shows Gov. Charlie Crist would be successful seeking re-election or an open U.S. Senate seat.
Rubio weighs his political options
The former speaker of the Florida House is waiting for Crist.
Marco Rubio, former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, was in Jacksonville on Tuesday meeting with potential supporters as he ponders a run for higher office.
Sen. Crist Hopes To Run For Commission In 2010
Republican state Sen. Victor Crist, who has represented northern Hillsborough County in the Legislature for nearly 17 years, says he is running to represent the same area on the county commission.
Lighters shouldn’t look like toys, lawmaker proposes
Rep. Scott Plakon wants to make your gun-shaped cigarette lighter illegal.
Agent Groups Split Over New OFC Bill
News that two members of Congress will introduce legislation proposing optional federal chartering of insurers has drawn a split reaction from different insurance agent trade groups.
Swiss Re loses its double-A-range rating from S&P
Swiss Re has had its counterparty credit and financial strength ratings from Standard & Poor’s cut to A+ from AA-. The ratings have been removed from creditwatch with negative implications and put on a stable outlook.
Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corporation (LWCC) announced it will pay a $7.5 million dividend to qualifying policyholders in February.
Connecticut Agents’ Group Urges State to Drop Cat-Fund Plan
A trade group for Connecticut insurance agents is urging lawmakers to abandon plans to create a state natural catastrophe fund.
New York State Insurance Fund: Anti-Fraud Efforts Saved $20.7M
New York State insurance Fund (NYSIF) Executive Director David P. Wehner said the NYSIF’s 2008 fraud prevention program accounted for more than $20 million in total savings — a record amount exceeding all prior yearly totals since the program began.
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