Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, May 5
May 5, 2010
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Insurance bill not assured of Crist veto
The veto watch began Monday for an industry-backed insurance bill that received limited vetting as it won approval in the final moments of the legislative session.
Florida passes commercial lines regulatory reform
Florida lawmakers have approved and sent to the governor legislation that would liberalize the regulation of certain lines of commercial property/casualty insurance.
The measure-S.B. 2176-would amend Florida’s insurance laws to exclude from the state’s rating and approval process commercial insurance that includes excess or umbrella, automobile, directors and officers liability, and several other lines.
Florida passes risk management reforms for state
Florida lawmakers have approved legislation designed to strengthen the state’s risk management program.
Florida Congressman’s Bill Seeks to Reform Natural Disaster Insurance Market
In 2005, hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma resulted in a more than $200 billion economic loss. While there’s no way to avoid such natural disasters, Congressman Ron Klein (D-FL) has sponsored some legislation that hopes will make it a little easier to deal with the costs they impose.
Opinion: Insurance and economics
“Expect insurance chaos if hurricane hits hard” was a well-timed column by Mike Thomas on the current condition of Florida’s property-insurance market and its impending impact upon citizens.
Florida homeowners may still be sunk
More than 20 homes in Plant City were damaged by sinkholes, including eight that were deemed unsuitable for habitation by city inspectors.
Fort Lauderdale puts temporary halt on red-light cameras
Fort Lauderdale put a temporary halt Tuesday on plans to install cameras on city roads to catch drivers running red lights.
Florida to receive $3 million from pharmaceutical settlement
Florida will receive more than $3 million from a settlement with Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics and Novartis Pharmaceuticals in connection with the firms’ marketing of Tobramycin for unapproved uses, the Florida Attorney General’s Office said Tuesday.
Blog: Pain clinics to sue over pill mill bill if it becomes law
An association of the state’s pain clinics vowed to sue over the “pill mill” legislation not yet sent to Gov. Charlie Crist.
- Pinellas County Imposes Temporary Ban on New Pain Clinics
- Authorities move against two pain clinics in chain
- A new pain clinic is drawing patients, but also protesters
Disarray, slow response to slick has Florida officials frustrated at British Petroleum
Florida’s top officials — from Gov. Charlie Crist on down — say the oil company that caused the massive Gulf spill is frustrating their efforts by holding up approval of local response plans even as the slick spreads perilously close to land.
- Marco Rubio maintains push for more drilling
- Gelber asks governor to call special session
- Crist makes second flight over growing gulf oil slick
- Crist: Floridians should prepare for oil spill
- Gulf oil spill: Crist likely to expand emergency declaration to include Southwest Florida coastline
- Gulf oil spill could ‘devastate’ South Florida’s environment
- Florida CFO Sink urges residents to begin documenting
- Sarasota firm says its bacteria can help control oil spill
- Attorney General: Floridians Affected by Deepwater Horizon Spill Should Beware of Fraud
- Oil could cause ‘catastrophic’ Florida wildlife damage
An influential state senator who is running for governor called for an explanation Tuesday of how the Blackwater River prison privatization project was handled in the state budget.
ACLU Florida asks Crist to veto abortion bill
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida is asking Gov. Charlie Crist to veto a bill containing anti-abortion amendments they say affects the health of women.
Bill would help 80,000 Floridians qualify for jobless benefits
Some could be eligible for state-passed extended benefits
Nearly 142,000 Florida residents have exhausted all their state and federal emergency unemployment benefits, though about 80,000 could qualify for extended benefits recently passed by the Florida Legislature, the state work force agency said.
Editorial: Florida budget on the brink
Legislature’s failure to act leaves Florida poised for fiscal disaster
The Florida Legislature, which just finished its annual session, passed a $70.4 billion budget, but has little to brag about.
Apopka Man Accused of Bilking Investors out of at Least $15 Million
An Apopka man bilked more than 500 investors worldwide out of at least $15 million, according to criminal charges filed by federal prosecutors.
New poll gives Crist an upward bump in Senate race since his “independent’s day”
The poll from Rasmussen Reports showed Crist leading Rubio by four points, which was within the margin of error, and Meek by 21 points. A poll from the same company two weeks ago showed Rubio with a 7 point lead.
- Florida GOP trashes, blames and bashes their once-golden governor, Charlie Crist
- Blog: Will teachers’ union abandon Kendrick Meek for Charlie?
- Jeb Bush endorses Marco Rubio in Fla. Senate race
- Bids for Crist’s portrait passes $6,000 mark on eBay
- Column: And they’re off and running
Federal Law May Limit BP Liability in Oil Spill
A federal law may limit how much BP has to pay for damages such as lost wages and economic suffering in the Gulf Coast oil spill, despite President Barack Obama’s assurances that taxpayers will not be on the hook.
Court Says CalPERS May Pursue Lawsuit Against Rating Agencies
The largest U.S. public pension fund has won a court ruling allowing it to proceed with its lawsuit accusing the three biggest credit rating agencies of assigning “wildly inaccurate and unreasonably high” ratings, causing $1 billion of losses.
Don’t Assess Insurers For Failed Banks, Senate Urged
Legislation to fund the unwinding of failing companies that threaten the nation’s financial system should not put assessments on insurers, three trade groups have written the Senate leadership.
El Niño Expected to Continue Weakening Through Spring,
Transition to Neutral Condition During Summer Months.
Mitchell Releases Latest Edition of Industry Trends Report
In depth analysis focuses on the impact of aging U.S. vehicle fleet on policyholder decision making and spending
San Diego, CA-May 04, 2010- Mitchell International, Inc., a leading provider of information, workflow and performance management solutions to the Property & Casualty claims and Collision Repair industries, today released the second quarter 2010 edition of its Industry Trends Report-the company’s quarterly publication that highlights industry-related trends, news items and statistics.
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