Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, July 28
Jul 28, 2010
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Blog: Allstate subsidiaries grilled about proposed rate hikes
Officials from Allstate’s Florida subsidiaries spent two hours Tuesday fielding questions at an Office of Insurance Regulation hearing in Tallahassee on their request to raise statewide rates by an average of 33 percent and 18 percent.
Florida Citizens’ Rate Increases Way Below Actuaries’ Indications
If insurance actuaries had their way, rates for homeowners insured through Florida’s public insurer Citizens Property Insurance would be going up 55.9 percent on average.
Miami Developer Says Hurricane Code is Not Enough
While some meteorologists are warning that this hurricane season could be rougher than usual, Miami developer Alan Ojeda said he isn’t worried. Indeed, it could turn out to be a marketing opportunity for him.
Fasano aide brings ideas back from sinkhole conference
Lawmakers and business leaders feel the earth move under their feet as they deal with continuing sinkhole problems.
Former Governor Jeb Bush Honorary Chair of New Non-Profit National Disaster Recovery Fund
In the July edition of its newsletter, Volunteer USA Foundation announced it’s in the planning stages of a National Disaster Recovery Fund. Gulf states of Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi would partner together to coordinate recovery efforts when a natural disaster strikes.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida intends to resume the sale of new child-only policies after the Obama administration issued new regulatory guidance Tuesday evening, according to the White House.
A federal agency that tracks measures of health-care quality lists Florida’s as “average,” but barely. The arrow hovers right on the line above “weak.”
State house candidate slapped with drug charges
Former deputy accused of prescription shopping
A candidate for the state House and former law enforcement officer is free on bond after his arrest late Monday on felony charges of illegally obtaining 1,200 painkiller pills from five doctors over seven months.
Blog: Florida Chamber backs McCollum; Associated Industries Co-Endorses Scott
Attorney General Bill McCollum went to the Port of Tampa Wednesday morning to tout what his campaign called a “major announcement” — an endorsement from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. The statewide business group said it’s the first time it has taken sides in a governor’s race.
Crist’s recycling mandate could hit roadblocks in South Florida
Being green is not easy, especially in South Florida.
Alex Sink unveils alternative energy plan
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink called for Florida to revamp its energy future with consumer-focused innovations
In Alex Sink’s view of the future, homeowners could install rooftop solar panels and not pay higher taxes for lowering their electricity bills.
McCollum touts property tax freeze for local governments
Like most municipalities in Florida, Tampa has cut its budget for four years in a row because of state-mandated property tax reforms and declining housing values.
Trial lawyer’s e-mail triggers controversy
GOP attorney general candidates Pam Bondi and Jeff Kottkamp traded barbs over their ties to trial lawyers
In the hotly contested Republican primary for attorney general, it doesn’t take much to start controversy.
Lakeland’s Paula Dockery Could Be Rick Scott’s Choice For Lieutenant Governor
In the next few weeks, the candidates for governor face a decision fraught with danger: choosing a running mate for the obscure position of lieutenant governor.
More Floridians seeking help for gambling
With more and more opportunities to wager their money – from the Florida Lottery to slot machines to Internet cafes – Floridians are looking for help with gambling problems in record numbers.
Blog: State — Scott’s lawsuit seeks election ‘chaos’ and should be thrown out
The Florida secretary of state argues in a brief filed with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal this week that Republican candidate for governor Rick Scott uses faulty reasoning when he asks the court to throw out Florida’s public campaign financing laws.
$264K Proposed as Compensation for New Louisiana Citizens CEO
A committee of the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. board has recommended a compensation package of $264,000 annually for the insurer’s next chief executive.
Crawford, Doak in Oklahoma GOP Insurance Commissioner Runoff
Former Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John P. Crawford and insurance executive John Doak are headed for an Aug. 24 runoff election for the spot on the GOP ticket for state insurance commissioner.
Massachusetts Court Changes Slip-and-Fall Liability
In a decision that changes nearly a century’s worth of case law, Massachusetts highest court has ruled that property owners can be held liable for snow-related injuries – regardless of whether plows cleared the snow.
25 House Members Go To Bat For Agents On Future Health Care Role
Twenty-five members of the House have asked federal health regulators to ensure a role for licensed insurance agents in the web portal that will be used to aid consumers in comparing coverage options.
Census data reveal broad differences among states in rates of uninsured
New census data released Tuesday confirm a huge spread in the rate of uninsured from state to state and the big difference in impact that can be expected as a result of the health-care overhaul recently passed by Congress.
News Release: NAIC seeking loss modeler for commercial mortgage-backed securities
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has released a request for proposal for a vendor to model expected losses on approximately 7,500 commercial mortgage-backed securities as of December 31, 2010.
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