Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, Mar. 5
Mar 5, 2008
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On a gloomy Tuesday in Tallahassee, Gov. Charlie Crist remained the sunny optimist.
WHAT HAPPENED: Senate President Ken Pruitt charted a moderate agenda. House Speaker Marco Rubio was more aggressive, calling for further and deep property tax cuts.
Some legislators in for long, bumpy ride
Two of the state’s most powerful politicians delivered their marching orders Tuesday to the Florida Legislature, signaling a 60-day session that promises to be a bumpy ride.
Insurers to Fla. Lawmakers: Make Corrections on Property Insurance
The convening of the Florida Legislature this week will present an opportunity for legislators to reconsider some of the problematic measures passed in 2007, according to the American Insurance Association.
Bill on hurricane inspections advances
The state’s Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday approved a bill that would beef up the My Safe Florida Homes program, which provides grants for hurricane mitigation inspections and for toughening homes against storms.
Fla. Mobile Home Insurance Co. Files 72.9% Rate Increase
Florida-based Foremost Insurance Group of companies filed a 72.9 percent increase on mobile homeowners’ insurance rates, according to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation.
Video: Property Insurance at the Front of the Table
Crist sidesteps state’s woes in address
After moving the annual State of the State speech to 6 p.m. so Floridians could watch their government in action, Gov. Charlie Crist turned his 30-minute address into a laundry list of his initiatives, making scant mention of the state’s economic turmoil or solutions for getting the state out of its jam.
The last time Oscar Braynon stepped foot on the floor of the Florida House of Representatives, he wore a blue jacket with a circular patch — his uniform as a page for political up-and-comer Rep. Kendrick Meek.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorensen: Legislature has failed local governments, residents
Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio is right about one thing — our state is in crisis.
Why Florida Homeowners Insurance Continues to Outrage Consumers
Dissatisfaction Expected to Worsen as Florida Braces for 150,000 More Cancellations in 2008
Home Insurance Buyers Guide, LLC today released an update on customer satisfaction with Florida homeowner insurance companies as reported by its subscribers.
The really bad news for Floridians isn’t State Farm refusing to add new customers; the bad news is that Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty and Gov. Charlie Crist still don’t understand why.
Jeb Bush, Colin Powell to Appear At Southeastern
Leaders in the political, religious, military and business worlds, including Colin Powell and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, will be at Southeastern University this week as the private Lakeland school hosts its second National Leadership Forum.
Bernanke visits Orlando, calls on lenders to help with foreclosures
Chairman Ben Bernanke says ‘a vigorous response’ will prevent an epidemic of home foreclosures.
Mortgage lenders must step up the pace of helping troubled homeowners avoid foreclosure or the housing and mortgage crisis will certainly worsen, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told an Orlando audience Tuesday.
Converting trailer sites to permanent homes still an issue in Martin
Martin County commissioners will try to talk their way out of a dispute with state officials over a proposal to allow mobile home dwellers to replace their trailers with permanent homes.
Storms wants time limits on tax districts
The community development areas usually are in place for 20 to 30 years. She wants 15.
State Sen. Ronda Storms has introduced legislation that city officials say would severely hamper their efforts to revitalize neighborhoods like East Tampa and Tampa Heights.
Maitland-based insurer recognized in National Underwriter’s award program
J. Rolfe Davis Insurance has been honored as one of three winners in National Underwriter’s sixth annual Commercial Insurance Agency of the Year award program.
Taking Affordable Housing To The Bank
As if Florida’s lack of affordable housing or its third-in-the-nation ranking in foreclosures wasn’t enough – its affordable housing crisis is about to get worse.
Lines Blur For Reinsurance Providers
A panel of global reinsurance company executives predicted here that in the future, there will be a blurring of the distinction between reinsurers and direct writers of the coverage.
Renzi pleads not guilty to corruption
Rep. Rick Renzi pleaded not guilty Tuesday to all charges in a federal indictment accusing him of abusing his office for financial gain and for raising campaign funds by embezzling insurance premiums collected by his family’s firm.
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