Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, June 3
Jun 3, 2009
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Citizens Property prepares for higher premiums in Florida
Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the state-backed property insurer, says it needs to boost rates for homes, condos and businesses by a statewide average of 6 percent a year starting next year, until premiums are about 44 percent higher than they are now.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Approves Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rate Decrease, New Law Cited
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty today announced that he has issued a final order approving a rollback from the April 1 rates to the lower workers’ compensation insurance rates that became effective Jan. 1.
Editorial: Veto the ‘State Farm Bill’
One bill that hasn’t even reached Gov. Crist’s desk is one of the biggest – and worst – bills that got through the Legislature. That would be House Bill 1171, which would allow Florida’s largest property insurers to charge whatever they want.
Blog: Like Jeb, Crist vetoes a condo-sprinkler bill
Gov. Charlie Crist retrieved his veto pen Monday and deep-sixed a piece of legislation that inspired a similar decision three years ago by his predecessor, Jeb Bush.
Blog: Did McCarty’s deputy lie to Congress? Not really
Coventry LLC, a viaticals company, recently accused an Office of Insurance Regulation deputy, Mary Beth Senkewicz of lying to Congress during a hearing in which she said the company “refused to file an Annual Report” as required by law.
CFO Sink commends DFS detective, multi-agency efforts to recover millions for fraud victims
Florida CFO Alex Sink today announced that due to the tireless efforts of her Department’s Division of Insurance Fraud (DIF) and a multi-agency effort, 27 victims of a nationwide workers’ compensation fraud will be provided with millions of dollars of restitution money.
Florida-based Main Street America Expands MVP Rating Program to 4 States
The Main Street America Group, based in Jacksonville, has launched a new personal auto rating program in New York, Virginia, Michigan and Rhode Island.
FEMA may put storm victims in Florida foreclosed homes
The federal government is exploring how to put Florida hurricane evacuees in foreclosed homes if a Katrina-like storm devastates the region and shelters, hotels and other housing options are full.
Governor Crist Approves State Disaster Plans during Hurricane Tabletop Exercise
Governor Charlie Crist today joined state leaders and the state emergency response team (SERT) for a hurricane tabletop exercise as part of his continued focus on Florida’s preparation for the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season.
Consumer Product Safety Commission debuts Drywall Information Center
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has launched a new Drywall Information Center to help homeowners keep track of the agency’s investigation into toxic drywall manufactured in China.
Drywall held at port is called into question
Much of a big stockpile at Port Manatee was already sold
Accusations against another Chinese drywall manufacturer could mean that defective wallboard was being purchased and used as recently as the end of last year.
Damage assessment after storms is crucial
If a hurricane hits the Manatee-Sarasota area this year, dispensing water, food and power isn’t the only way local governments can help citizens.
May floods third costliest storm event in Volusia
The storm that started dumping rain across Central Florida on May 17 and didn’t relent for a week never got a name, but it’s still going down in the history books.
Florida Widow Wins $30 Million Against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco
A Florida jury has awarded $30 million to a Pensacola widow in a ruling against R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.
Disney World ban on Segways faces another challenge
In an Orlando courtroom today, disability-rights advocates are seeking to have a Disney-negotiated settlement blocked
Walt Disney World’s ban on Segways is facing a new challenge as disability-rights advocates are trying to persuade a federal judge to reject a proposed settlement between Disney and three disabled people who filed a class-action lawsuit suit seeking to force Disney to allow the two-wheeled scooters inside its parks; Disney says allowing guests to ride Segways in its parks would create a safety hazard for other guests.
More Than 100 Bills Await Crist’s Decision
The Legislature may have ended its annual session May 8, but a second law-making session is under way.
Crist guts growth management laws, ensuring sprawl and gridlock
Brevard County residents, you’ve just been had — and you can thank Gov. Charlie Crist and Republicans in the state Legislature for guaranteeing that you’ll get stuck with the bill for more urban sprawl and traffic gridlock when growth returns to Florida
Putting fairness in electioneering
Local governments throughout Florida are urging Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a bill that would bar them from using taxpayers’ money to influence elections.
Fla. Senate budget chief questions no-bid contract
The Florida Senate’s budget chief wants Gov. Charlie Crist to halt plans for the no-bid extension of a multimillion-dollar human services contract for five years.
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown joins race for U.S. Senate seat
Just three days after Kendrick Meek’s leading Democratic rival for the U.S. Senate stepped aside, a family friend and colleague in Congress stunned the party establishment and jumped in.
Marco Rubio seeks distance from indicted official
Former state House Speaker Marco Rubio finds himself explaining his association with former budget chief Ray Sansom, now indicted on grounds of misconduct.
Marco Rubio is running for U.S. Senate with a potentially serious blemish on his public record: His hand-picked budget chief was indicted for official misconduct during Rubio’s tenure as Florida House speaker.
Pensacola businessman in state Senate race
Pensacola businessman Mike Hill is challenging two state representatives for the Republican nod to replace state Sen. Durell Peaden.
State ranks 48th in economic growth
This shouldn’t surprise many Floridians, but the Sunshine State ranked 48th in the country in economic growth in 2008, according to new federal data.
HUD sets options for hurricane victims in trailers
President Barack Obama’s administration, which is trying to avoid mass evictions of hurricane victims still living in federally supplied trailers along the Gulf Coast, will offer $50 million in new housing vouchers and sell trailers for as little as $1, an administration official said.
Texas windstorm bill has no caps for big ones
Coastal residents whose property is insured by the state’s windstorm pool are getting a temporary break from higher premiums, but all bets are off if the state is hit by a major hurricane.
Texas Insurance Dept. Says No Crisis Over Possible Sunset
Political infighting has left the Texas Department of Insurance facing the possibility of being abolished through legislative inaction, but industry officials say there is no crisis at the moment.
NAIC Chief: Systemic Regulation Coming
Therese Vaughan, chief executive of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, said she expects to see more federal involvement in insurance oversight.
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