Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, March 31
Mar 31, 2010
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Florida’s Crist Opposes, Bush Backs Bill Deregulating Insurance Prices
Tallahassee politicians must ensure a robust private property insurance market to avoid a financial disaster if a major hurricane or several smaller storms strike the state this summer, former Gov. Jeb Bush said this week.
Lake Worth Health Care Center Owner Arrested for Submitting Unlawful Insurance Bills
Florida CFO Alex Sink this week announced the arrest of Daniel Madeus, 32, owner of the Health and Wellness Rehabilitation Center, Inc. located in Lake Worth, for operating a clinic using a stolen identity and submission of more than $1.5 million in unlawful insurance bills.
Blog: Florida Senate overhauls Medicaid
The Senate approved a sweeping overhaul of Medicaid that would require some Medicaid recipients to pay deductibles and co-payments and give vouchers to others for medical care.
Florida’s Freedom Health Plans Named Among National Medicaid Rulebreakers
A multinational company and two members of the Fortune 500 were named among six insurers found in violation of Medicare marketing rules when federal inspectors checked their books and sat in on presentations as “secret shoppers,” documents show.
Florida Senate approves budget banking on windfalls from gambling and stimulus money
House to vote Thursday on slimmer proposal
The Florida Senate approved a bipartisan, $69 billion budget Wednesday that relies on gambling and federal stimulus money to cuts taxes and grow government spending.
House, Senate to vote on Florida budget
Florida’s legislative session marks its halfway point today with the House and Senate poised to pass an election-year budget that mixes painful spending cuts with political posturing.
- Florida legislators propose raiding state trust funds to balance budget
- Some health bills on death watch at midpoint
Crist signs bill to protect concealed weapons fund
Lawmakers in search of spare change now are prevented from raiding a trust fund linked to the state’s concealed weapons permitting program.
Ex-Republican Party of Florida chair Greer under FDLE investigation
Former Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer is the subject of a criminal investigation after an auditor found he funneled party money to a political consulting company he owned.
Former Florida House Speaker Sansom seeks dismissal of theft charges
Former Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom is seeking dismissal of grand theft and conspiracy charges.
Legislature cuts deal to keep 2 Florida prisons open
GOP leaders in the Florida Senate appeared Tuesday night to back off on a controversial budget proposal that would force the closure of two state prisons in order to open a cheaper private one.
Report says Florida jobless recovery faces long haul
Florida’s employment market will take years to rebuild, according to a new report that predicted 900,000 non-farm jobs lost the past three years wouldn’t be restored until at least late 2014.
Editorial: Tracking Florida’s tax breaks
Cost-benefit system needs safeguards against skewed numbers, revenue loss
Do tax breaks help Florida’s economy, or are they just a giveaway?
Clock runs out and Florida company goes unpunished for illegal campaign contributions
One of Florida’s biggest government contractors, Tampa-based PBS&J, has been making illegal campaign contributions since the 1980s, according to a lengthy investigation by the Federal Elections Commission.
Tampa shines in tryout for 2012 Republican National Convention
If Tampa can’t land the 2012 Republican convention, it’s hard to see how it ever will get one.
Analysis: Florida Republicans use tough times to play to base
For Florida Republicans, the silver lining to dire economic times is this: A scarcity of tax dollars is creating momentum to impose their economic and ideological leanings on how the state spends its money.
Miami among cheapest big cities for business
Miami ranks as the third least-costly place to do business among 22 U.S. cities or metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 2 million, according to a newly released study by KPMG LLP.
State Farm sues Texas over Web posting of its rate hike requests
An unprecedented move by the Texas Department of Insurance to publicize recent rate hikes by State Farm Insurance sparked a legal challenge from the company Tuesday over what it said was confidential information.
Court allows subrogation claim against US Airways
A workers compensation insurer can pursue a subrogation claim against US Airways Inc. for injuries suffered by the employee of an independent contractor it insured, a California appellate court has ruled.
Insurance Groups Challenge California Action On Iranian Investments
Five insurance trade groups have filed a petition asking California officials to review whether the state insurance commissioner created “illegal underground regulations” concerning Iranian investments.
Former South Carolina Insurance Chief Kitzman Runs for Lieutenant Governor
South Carolina’s former state insurance director is running for lieutenant governor. Eleanor Kitzman announced she’s running as a Republican.
Louisiana Surplus Lines Association Eyes Exemption Bill
One of the major bills of interest to the surplus lines industry in Louisiana during the current legislative session would clarify the exemption from rate and form filing for providers of excess and surplus insurance in that state.
New York Report Shows Increase In Fraudulent No-Fault Claims
Insurance fraud in New York’s no-fault auto system increased almost 9 percent between 2008 and 2009, according to a New York State Insurance Fraud Bureau report.
U.S. Seeks Permanent Ban on Texting by Bus, Truck Drivers
U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has proposed a federal rule that would to specifically prohibit texting by interstate commercial truck and bus drivers.
New computer model could help power companies better prepare for hurricane aftermath
Stephanie Davis said the hardest part was taking a shower.
What use for forecasts if they only confound?
Hurricane center is aiming to make its tools easier to understand
The nation’s top hurricane expert says his own family “glazes over” when he launches into forecasting jargon.
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