Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, January 28
Jan 28, 2009
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All or nothing, Crist tells State Farm
Insurer wants out of homeowner market
State Farm should not be allowed to do any business in Florida if it pulls out of the state’s property insurance market, Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday.
State Farm Fla. Action Slammed By Competitor
In an unusual action, the head of a small, rival carrier has issued a statement slamming the decision by insurance giant State Farm to drop its Florida property business as “disgusting.”
Analyst Says Others Gain As State Farm Exits Fla.
A financial analyst said State Farm’s exit from Florida’s homeowner market could help several insurers and a major broker there.
Q&A: What you need to know about State Farm’s pullout
I’m a State Farm Florida property insurance customer. What do I do now?
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Reassures: Mississippi’s No Florida in Its Insurance Markets
Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney moved to quickly to reassure state leaders and policyholders that no big insurance companies are leaving Mississippi.
State Farm terminates deal with Indian company involved in scandal
State Farm Insurance Cos. has severed its relationship with an India-based company involved in an accounting fraud scandal.
Wellington OKs cameras to nab red-light runners
Add Wellington to the growing list of municipalities installing cameras to catch drivers who run red lights.
Brevard County ranked bigger culverts and tougher fire-station bay doors among top projects for a piece of $3.3 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds. Officials with the Brevard County Office of Emergency Management have prioritized a list of 15 projects countywide that will be sent to FEMA.
Boyd, McCollum won’t run for Fla. Senate seat
Attorney General Bill McCollum will seek another term instead of running for U.S. Senate and Democratic U.S. Rep. Allen Boyd on Wednesday also took himself out of the 2010 race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Mel Martinez.
Crist’s vetoes irk Republicans
Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed about $365 million in budget cuts Tuesday, sparing politically popular programs while straining relations with Republican legislators whose decisions he rejected.
State and federal Republican legislators take opposite sides on stimulus
Many Florida Republicans in Congress are deriding the massive economic stimulus package coming before the House today as horribly bloated, woefully misdirected and unlikely to jump-start the economy.
Florida likely to get fair share of federal stimulus, but Posey, Rooney critical of package
Congressional Republicans from the Treasure Coast say the $825 billion federal economic stimulus package is a far cry from how it was sold.
Putnam Assails Bailout Bill Expected to Pass Today; Brown-Waite Still Undecided
The only thing some provisions of the latest bailout bill are likely to stimulate is a hefty tax burden on the nation’s grandchildren, said U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow.
Posey shines light on finance votes of House committee
Freshman Rep. Bill Posey, R-Rockledge, has completed his first successful action in Congress, getting the House Financial Services Committee to disclose how its members voted.
Iorio might run for U.S. Senate
U.S. Sen. Pam Iorio?
She’s bright and telegenic, and comes from the region most important to statewide political aspirations.
Senate hopeful vows service, Graham-style
State Sen. Dan Gelber entered the 2010 race for U.S. Senate promising to spend 100 days during the next year performing community-service work as he campaigns for the Democratic nomination.
Polston invested as Fla. Supreme Court justice
Ricky Polston has been formally invested as a Florida Supreme Court justice.
Commission on Open Government Releases Final Report
The Governor’s Commission on Open Government today released its final report and recommendations. The commission was tasked with evaluating and reviewing the public’s right to access government meetings and records.
State’s startups have off year as investors keep tight grip on funds
Florida’s take in the venture-capital sweepstakes hit its lowest point on record last year as high-finance investors retrenched amid the financial crisis, a new survey indicates.
Judge Says Louisiana Insurance Department Can Keep Operating
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon won a small victory in state court Jan. 27 in a dispute with the state Legislature’s auditing office. Although he did not rule on the primary issue in the case, 19th Judicial District Judge Todd Hernandez said the insurance department can continue to receive operational funds from the state until the dispute over departmental records is resolved.
NAIC Holds Hearing to Discuss Capital and Surplus Changes
Working Group Rejects Some Proposals; Accepts Others with Conditions
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Capital and Surplus Relief Working Group held a public hearing today to continue its review of requests from the life insurance industry to make adjustments in existing NAIC solvency framework components that impact statutory capital and surplus requirements.
Treasury Announces New Policy To Increase Transparency in Financial Stability Program
Secretary Geithner Meets with Outside Experts to Discuss Oversight of Troubled Assets Relief Program and Efforts to Increase Transparency and Accountability
Building on President Barack Obama and Secretary Tim Geithner’s commitment to increase transparency and accountability in the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP), the U.S. Department of the Treasury today announced a new policy of posting investment contracts for future completed transactions to the Department’s website within five to 10 business days.
Hartford Insurance Exec Takes White House Post
Neal Wolin, president and chief operating officer of the Hartford Financial Services Group’s property-casualty operations–who previously worked with the administrations of Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton–is taking a post with President Barack Obama.
Mississippi Grants to Help Homeowners Meet Flood Standard Reach $60 Millin
The Mississippi Development Authority says federal grants to help coast homeowners meet new post-Katrina flood standards are nearing $60 million.
Mississippians Sue City Over Removal from Katrina Cottages
A group of Waveland residents has filed a lawsuit against city aldermen and the mayor, claiming their rights were violated when they were refused permits to remain in Hurricane Katrina cottages.
Arizona Ruling Limits Pre-Lawsuit Claim Requirement
The Arizona Supreme Court split the difference in an opinion interpreting a law requiring people to submit damage claims stating a settlement amount before filing lawsuits against the state or its local governments.
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