Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, January 5
Jan 5, 2011
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Senate insurance panel tackles Florida sinkhole claims
Florida’s sinkhole laws need to be adjusted to better protect insurance companies from losses, according to a Senate insurance committee report.
With more Florida homeowners filing insurance claims for damage caused by sinkholes — claims nearly quadrupled between 2006 and 2010 statewide — the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee said in a report this week that something must be done to curb insurance companies’ sinkhole costs.
State Farm in final phase of dropping homeowners insurance policies
If you’re a homeowner still covered by State Farm, cross your fingers.
Florida’s Brown & Brown buys Seattle agencies
Brown & Brown Inc. has bought the assets of Balcos Insurance Inc. and MCH Inc. of Seattle for an undisclosed price.
Florida workers’ compensation report shows competition
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation’s 2010 workers’ compensation insurance report concludes that the state’s market provides competitive premiums for businesses.
Florida health care agency gets new legislative affairs department
Governor Rick Scott hasn’t named a new head for the Agency for Health Care Administration secretary yet he has filled two positions in the agency legislative affairs office with men who worked on his campaign.
Rules freeze might cause confusion
Governor Rick Scott froze all new state regulations, trying to beat back Tallahassee’s tide of fine print. Business groups cheered but said the immediate impact will be modest.
Can an off-road vehicle have two seats in Florida? Should pain clinics get safety reviews every year or every three years? And may produce stands avoid extra fees to get a permit for setting up shop in the Southwest Florida Water Management District?
- Scott action may delay pill mill rules again
- Environmentalists warn that rules freeze will halt progress on water pollution
Governor Scott to break tradition and skip Everglades conference
Bob Martinez started the tradition. Lawton Chiles continued it. Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist kept it going.
4 former Democratic governors missing at inaugural
It was clearly a Republican day.
Blog: Scott’s closed, open-door policy
On the 22nd floor of the Capitol, where the view overlooking Tallahassee is stunning, and the floor to ceiling windows let the sunshine in, Governor Rick Scott held his first official event since being sworn in as governor.
GOP cements influence as Cabinet members take office
Florida Republicans cemented their sweep of state government on Tuesday when three new Cabinet members took office.
Editorial: Governor Rick Scott’s ethics
Florida’s new chief executive does well demanding better behavior of officials.
Rick Scott, Florida’s new governor, renewed a commitment at his inaugural to bring Florida hundreds of thousands of new jobs.
Former Florida governor doesn’t rule out run in 2016
Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush says he isn’t ruling out a possible presidential run in 2016.
Report: Orlando could run out of water
Orlando is one of 10 American metros that faces running out of water, according to The Atlantic magazine.
Judge orders Miami-Dade County to pay $4 million for denying firm Port of Miami permit
Miami-Dade County must pay $4 million in damages for protecting incumbent stevedores at the Port of Miami by illegally denying a Fort Lauderdale firm a permit to work there.
A federal judge ordered Miami-Dade County to pay $4 million in damages and interest to Fort Lauderdale-based Florida Transportation Service for illegally refusing to issue it a stevedore permit to load and unload ships at the Port of Miami.
Hudson Resigning as Ohio Insurance Director
Ohio Department of Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson has announced her resignation effective Jan. 10, 2011. Her final work day will be Jan. 7.
Lincoln County insurance expert appointed to Wisconsin insurance commissioner
Governor Scott Walker announced today that he appointed a Merrill insurance expert to the position of commissioner of insurance, according to a press release issued today.
New York Plans to Merge Banking, Insurance Regulators
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo plans to improve regulation of Wall Street with a smaller state government that would merge the Banking and Insurance departments, Cuomo told a radio station yesterday.
North Carolina Insurers Seek Rate Hike on Dwelling Fire Policies
North Carolina insurers are looking to raise rates from 7 percent to 25 percent, or an average 20.9 percent statewide, for 2011 on dwelling fire and extended coverage policies.
Hurricanes could become more prevalent with climate change, but the economic pain they deliver might not be recognized as man-made for 260 years.
Auto industry had a better ride in 2010
Vehicle sales rose last year for the first time since the recession began. The industry remains in recovery mode.
Auto sales rose in the United States last year for the first time since the recession.
Big Drop in Road Deaths Tied to Recession, Seat Belts
Air bags and the economic recession have contributed to the biggest drop in road deaths in the United States since World War II, U.S. researchers said Tuesday.
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