Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, July 21
Jul 21, 2010
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Florida Insurers Need Rate Increases, Says Rating Expert
Florida’s property/casualty insurers appear to have adequate reinsurance and capital in place to withstand at least two major storms this season but their overall fate could hinge on whether they are allowed to raise their premiums as much as they need to in coming months, according to an insurance rating expert familiar with many of the state’s carriers.
Some protective oil boom in Florida removed for tropical weather
Florida emergency leaders are removing some protective boom intended to buffer the state’s inland waterways and estuaries in the Panhandle from the Gulf of Mexico spill.
Q&A With Citizens Property Insurance’s Enterprise Risk Manager
As the enterprise risk manager for Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Robert Gofourth’s job places him at ground zero throughout the year, not just during hurricane season.
Feds Order Florida to come up with plan to reduce crossing accidents
Collisions at crossings have dropped 50 percent in four years, but feds say state can do better
Federal officials have ordered Florida to reduce railroad crossing accidents, even as the number of collisions between trains and automobiles has been cut in half over the past four years.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today offered testimony before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.
Former Florida AHCA Director joining Naples-based Health Management Associates
The man most responsible for changing the direction of Florida Medicaid is coming back to the state, this time as a corporate executive with a national profile.
Blog: Crist signs executive order to give property owners another tool against BP
A day after the Florida Legislature adjourned without taking up his plan to put an oil drilling ban on the ballot, Gov. Charlie Crist kicked lawmakers back and signed an executive order to give property owners another tool to collect money from BP in the counties affected by the spill.
Special session short, not sweet for oil spill victims seeking relief
When Florida’s legislators quickly gaveled in and gaveled out their special session Tuesday, they also walked away from an opportunity to deliver tax breaks and economic relief to businesses struggling in the oil-ravaged regions of the state.
Florida Lawmakers outline September plans to recoup oil spill losses
Lawmakers on Tuesday took aim at legislation they’ll seek in September to provide property relief for the Panhandle, put the state and its people in a good position to sue BP and strengthen the state’s seafood-safety testing.
Florida is among those states with the greatest risk of facing water shortages in the coming years, according to a report released Tuesday by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Florida gets $70M in homeland security grants
Florida is scheduled to receive more than $70 million in 2010 Homeland Security Grant Program awards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Attorney General Bill McCollum and Public Counsel J.R. Kelly today announced they have reached a settlement on behalf of Florida consumers with Tampa Electric Company.
Heart problem sidelines Florida Senator Peaden
Missing the special session was just what the doctor ordered for state Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, whose heart gave him “a little scare” late last week.
CNN: Rubio sidesteps Tea Party caucus commitment
Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio rejected a blanket characterization of the Tea Party movement as extremist on Tuesday, but at the same time remained noncommittal about the prospect of joining a Tea Party caucus if elected.
BP snubs scientists at Florida state schools
Researchers at Florida universities say BP has not offered them the lucrative research contracts it reportedly has offered to other universities in exchange for scientists’ cooperation with its legal defense.
Insurance Commissioner Oxendine Concedes Defeat in Georgia Governor’s Race
Shortly after 10 o’clock last night, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine conceded defeat in the race for the Republican nomination for governor.
Adding Wind To National Flood Insurance Program ‘Easy Money’ For Industry, Legislator’s Rep Says
Adding wind coverage to the National Flood Insurance Program would benefit insurers by flowing premium dollars to them while removing risk and capital costs from the private sector, a House legislator’s office said.
Rules Sought on Chinese drywall payouts
Lawyers for homeowners suing over defective Chinese drywall want a federal judge to set some rules on a manufacturer’s efforts to settle with homebuilders, saying it could put homeowners at risk.
H.R. 4173 Could Increase Popularity of Equity-Linked Insurance Products
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act could end up increasing the popularity of family offices and equity-linked insurance products that don’t use separate accounts.
Mississippi residents urged to buy flood insurance
The number of flood policies has more than doubled in Coastal counties since Hurricane Katrina, but a survey sponsored by an insurance industry group found that 32 percent of Mississippians – twice the national average – still believe standard homeowner policies cover hurricane tidal surge.
New York Approves Increase in Workers’ Comp Loss Costs
New York insurance regulators have approved a 7.7 percent hike in workers’ compensation loss costs – an increase that will go into effect in October.
Drivers Beware: Lindsay Lohan Offers Lessons in Auto Insurance
In all the commotion of Lindsay Lohan’s fall from grace, little attention has been paid to the impact her risky behavior will have on her insurance – auto, home, life, and health.
Lead Paint Companies Appeal Rhode Island Decision on Lawsuit Cost
Companies that sold lead-based paint have appealed a judge’s decision denying them reimbursement for the cost of defending themselves against a lawsuit from Rhode Island.
Wisconsin Supreme Court Sides with Physicians in Med Mal Trust Fund Fight
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has decided that the state’s taking of $200 million from the Wisconsin’s Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund (IPFCF) to help balance the general budget was unconstitutional.
Former Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Dies
Former Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Susan Cogswell died Tuesday. She was 57.
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