Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, June 9

Jun 9, 2010

 

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News Release:  Olympus Insurance Resolves All Known Issues with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has found that Olympus Insurance Company has satisfactorily addressed the issues raised in its Order dated April 9, 2010, that there are no other pending regulatory issues concerning Olympus, and that the Order has been vacated immediately, the Company announced.

 

At Miami drywall trial, official regrets ‘rotten eggs,’ comment

While sheets of drywall were being delivered to a Coconut Grove home under construction in 2006, the company supplying the wallboard was in talks with the Chinese manufacturer, questioning a potent smell some builders said was emanating from the product.

 

News Release:  New Workers’ Compensation Rates Available to the Florida Landscaping Industry

Effective July 1, 2010, Florida workers’ compensation policies will use new rates for businesses in the landscaping industry.

 

Sarasota, Manatee put hold on new pain clinics

Parrish resident Sandra Wesenberg has observed a pain clinic that she suspects is a “pill mill” for the last three weeks, taking photos of out-of-state license plates in the crowded parking lot.

 

Florida Medicaid reform panel hears clashing opinions

Some think the pilot program works, others see erratic service

Two disparate depictions of Northeast Florida’s Medicaid reform experiment emerged Tuesday at a public meeting in Jacksonville.

 

Blog:  Atwater says–Let’s talk about a summer special session for business

Senate President Jeff Atwater told the Herald/Times today that he has asked Senate staff to look at what the legislature can do to help businesses crippled by the oil disaster and believes a summer special session on tax breaks and financial assistance could happen.

 

Gov. Crist and Cabinet bash BP’s response to oil spill, demand payment for losses

Gov. Charlie Crist and Florida’s Cabinet publicly lashed out at one of BP’s top executives Tuesday as frustration continued to mount over what they consider a lackluster response to the plight of businesses crippled by the oil disaster and the insufficient cleanup effort.

 

Panel meeting to aid Florida businesses hurt by oil

A diverse panel of government officials and private citizens is meeting to help Florida businesses that are suffering financially from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

 

Counties’ bed-tax losses may run into the millions

Just when county tourism councils need it most, the money they depend on to fund marketing campaigns is going to take an oil spill hit.

 

Florida panel revises pension investment policy

A panel headed by Gov. Charlie Crist approved a revised investment policy Tuesday for Florida’s state retirement fund to reduce its reliance on stocks and other equities while adding hedge funds.

 

Former Fla. Senate president’s bribery conviction reversed

A federal appeals court Tuesday reversed the bribery conviction of former Florida Senate President W.D. Childers, who was known as the Legislature’s “banty rooster” because of his feisty personality and short stature.

 

Column:  Will new law lift condo associations?

Wendy Murray isn’t betting Florida’s recently passed condominium and homeowners association reform law will single-handedly clean up the economic crisis the state’s shared communities are facing. But Murray, president of her neighborhood HOA, hopes positive change has begun.

 

Poll: Charlie Crist maintains lead in U.S. Senate race

Gov. Charlie Crist leads a three-way matchup for the U.S. Senate in a new Quinnipiac University poll of Florida voters, while both of the top Republican contenders for governor lead likely Democratic nominee Alex Sink.

 

Three of 5 Nurses Leaving the State’s Work Force

At a time when good jobs with benefits are tough to come by, South Florida’s nursing shortage lingers, a new study shows, and therein lies a mystery.

 

Florida in top 5 for mortgage fraud risk

Mortgage fraud risk increased by 11 percent compared with the same quarter a year ago, reaching the highest level since 2004, according to Interthinx’s quarterly Mortgage Fraud Risk Report.

 

Blog:  Note to terrorists: Don’t try poisoning the water in Broward

Terrorists will not be able to pump poison into the county water supply.  Broward County water officials feared the thousands of fire hydrants across the county presented a terrorist opportunity.

 

Biggest Ponzi  schemer in Florida history sentenced to 50 years; apologizes to judge and courtroom gallery

Scott Rothstein was sentenced to 50 years in federal prison Wednesday morning for running the largest Ponzi scheme in Florida history from his downtown Fort Lauderdale law offices.

 

National Flood Insurance Program Will Cover Hurricane-Driven Oil Damage, FEMA Confirms

The National Flood Insurance Program will pay claims for damage to homes and contents from oil driven ashore during hurricanes, its officials have announced.

 

Alabama Insurance Underwriting Association to raise rates by 14.3 percent

Alabama’s insurer of last resort will raise rates again this July, citing more risk and higher costs for reinsurance.

 

Insurers must pay $10 million for river cleanup: Court

Two excess liability insurers must contribute $10 million toward the cleanup of a 13.3-mile stretch of the Fox River in Wisconsin that had been polluted by polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, an appellate court has ruled.

 

HHS offers FAQs on early retiree reinsurance program 

A Department of Health and Human Services office administering a soon-to-begin program that will partially reimburse employers for claims in their early retiree health care plans is now answering frequently asked questions.

 

 

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