Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, January 26
Jan 26, 2011
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Blog: Sweeping property insurance changes debated
Lawmakers debated a property insurance package that would strengthen insurers by reducing their costs and allowing certain rate hikes.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Florida Senate Begins Insurance Re-Write
Saying sinkhole claims have cost more than hurricanes over the past several years, the Senate on Tuesday began work on a massive insurance rewrite that is expected to be one of the most watched bills of the 2011 session.
Sinkhole concerns added to property insurance bill
Lawmakers turned their attention Tuesday to an increasingly expensive problem of questionable sinkhole claims that is driving up insurance premiums for Florida homeowners.
Blog: Senate signals retreat from septic-tank inspection mandate
The Senate has started to walk back a septic-tank inspection mandate passed last year to deal with thousands of septic tanks potentially fouling Florida lakes and streams.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: House Panel Hear Personal Injury Protection Talk, Action Have to Wait
In what is likely the opening of a multi-act play that may not conclude until at least next year, a House panel on Wednesday heard a litany of horrors from insurance regulators, law enforcement and state officials over the costs of staged automobile accidents, fake medical treatment and fraudulent claims.
Blog: Unscrupulous pain clinics to blame for auto insurance fraud
Unscrupulous pain clinics have come under fire for frivolously handing out prescription drugs.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: SenateTransportation Chairman Puts Brakes on Most Driving Bills
Transportation safety advocates laid out an ambitious agenda Tuesday that included calls for stricter penalties on motorists who hit bicycle and motorcycle riders, refuse to take breathalyzer tests when suspected of driving under the influence, and booster seat requirements for older children.
NEW REGIME: Efforts at aid may benefit from a business-friendly Scott
For the third year in a row, Florida lawmakers are looking to help the state’s property insurers. And this time, with a more business-friendly governor in office, they could succeed.
Florida Senators examine BP claims process
The head of the Southeastern Fisheries Association told legislators Tuesday the BP oil claims process is slow and haphazard, with settlements apparently depending on the luck of the claims-adjuster draw.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Thin Ice for Regulators Doesn’t Freeze Rink Inspection Bill
Despite a clear anti-regulation tide among Republican lawmakers and Governor Rick Scott, a new rule cleared its first Senate panel Tuesday – though not without debate.
Florida’s nurse practitioners say they can save state millions
When Mathew Harden accidentally smashed his hand on the job, the 35-year-old Bartow mechanic went to an emergency room for stitches and then to a nurse practitioner for follow-up treatment. Harden was pleased with the care – but not the prescription he got.
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced the appointment of three key staff members at the Department of Financial Services who will oversee the payment of the state’s bills, information technology resources and program assessment.
Blog: Rick Scott to spend ‘a lot of time’ in Washington D.C.
Scribbles in my notebook after spending the day with Gov. Rick Scott in the First Coast.
1.) Only Washington D.C. topped Tallahassee on Rick Scott’s list of most-loathed cities during the campaign. So guess where the Republican governor plans to point the nose of his private jet?
Lack of lethal-injection drug means Florida must develop new execution procedure
Executions of Florida death-row inmates could be on hold for months in the wake of a decision last week by an Illinois drug company to stop producing an anesthetic used in lethal injections here.
Blog: Legislature races to re-enact growth-management changes
With their latest growth-management handiwork tied up in a court fight, lawmakers in the House and Senate are rushing to provide some clarity on whether local governments and developers will have to provide for roads and infrastructure for their projects.
Las Vegas casinos pitch plan for Florida
Two of Las Vegas’ largest casino operators made the case Tuesday for why Florida should consider “destination casino resorts” as the next-best hope for jobs and economic development.
Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady Argues Against Cuts to Courts
New E-Filing system could provide savings as foreclosures plague system
Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady made his case for not cutting the court system budget Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Blog: House votes to abolish public financing, including convention subsidy
A bill to abolish the public financing program for presidential campaigns, which includes a subsidy for national nominating conventions, has passed in the House.
Blog: Disney lobbies to erase contract law
Walt Disney World, concerned about potential legal liability, is seeking to get out from under a state law governing how businesses contract with sales agents.
Florida lawmakers Hone in on School Cuts
Teacher layoffs. Few if any electives. School supplies that last a school only a few months.
Blog: How Richard Corcoran became House Speaker
Representative Richard Corcoran wasn’t the typical freshman lawmaker in a Florida House where about a third of the 120 members are new lawmakers. Corcoran, R-Trinity, had never served (though he had run repeatedly), but he worked in a position that was almost as powerful: Chief of Staff to former House Speaker Marco Rubio.
New Republican National Chairman coming to Tampa Thursday on convention issues
As expected, newly elected Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus is coming to Tampa to talk to locals about preparation for the 2012 Republican Convention.
Florida Politicians See State of the Union in Their Own Red or Blue
Republicans Rick Scott and Marco Rubio bash Obama while Rod Smith and Alcee Hastings defend the administration
Politicians across Florida were quick to react Tuesday night to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address – with Republicans taking aim at the president and his administration and Democrats defending them.
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Chaney Selected to Key National Insurance Leadership Post
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney has been selected to a key leadership position by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
State Legislative Groups Ask For Surplus Lines Implementation Delay
Trade groups representing state legislators are asking Congress to extend for one year-until July 12, 2012-the effective date for state implementation of the surplus lines reform and modernization law.
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