Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, Nov. 28

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La. State Appeals Court Nixes Flood Exclusion

A state appeals court ruling in Louisiana finding an insurer’s policy language excluding flood damage to be ambiguous and unenforceable will be appealed to the Louisiana Supreme Court, an attorney for the carrier said today.

 

Fla. Proposes To Drop Reinsurers’ Collateral

Florida’s has now become the second state after New York where a proposed measure is under consideration to eliminate a requirement that foreign reinsurers post hefty collateral in order to do business. 

 

GOP debate takes YouTube questions

The inquisitive snowman is back. Will he ask the Republican presidential candidates about global warming, as he did during the Democratic debate in July? CNN isn’t telling.

 

SEC stirs opposition on shareholder move

Federal securities regulators appear primed to allow companies to bar shareholders from access to ballots for board elections, a move that major pension funds and governance advocates say could make corporations less responsive to investors’ interests.

 

Judge’s decision deals a blow to Hometown Democracy

Hometown Democracy, the petition drive aiming to slow growth in Florida, lost a court battle Tuesday that could seriously hurt its ability to collect enough signatures for the ballot.

 

Governor, House speaker set stakes higher

For years, Charlie Crist has been an expert at putting a happy face on the thorniest of relationships. But this year he may have met his match – from a fellow Republican.

 

Report Critical of State Agency

Florida citrus growers could save up to $844,350 in their tax money by eliminating the Lakeland-based Florida Department of Citrus and integrating its functions into the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Tallahassee.

 

Crist tours beach, Scripps

Within the next two weeks, Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to review the $190 million proposal to bring the Max Planck Society to Palm Beach County, his chief economic-development adviser said Tuesday.

 

Fines on tap for homes in violation of FEMA code

Owners of elevated homes with ground-floor living space in flood zones, this is a warning.

 

No wiggle room for flood zone scofflaws

Federal rules governing construction in flood zones are well known: No ground-floor living quarters in elevated homes.

 

Brevard OKs study of man-made reef project

The Brevard County Commission approved $94,790 Tuesday to explore a radical concept: whether building Florida’s first-ever man-made surfing reef can bring big waves, a broader beach and more tourist dollars.

 

Climate change may cost Florida $345 billion a year: study

If nothing is done to combat global warming, two of Florida’s nuclear power plants, three of its prisons and 1,362 hotels, motels and inns will be under water by 2100, a study released on Wednesday said.

 

FBI searches office of Katrina lawsuits lawyer

OXFORD, Miss. — Federal law-enforcement authorities on Tuesday searched the law office of a high-profile lawyer who represents hundreds of Gulf Coast homeowners with lawsuits against insurance companies in Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath.

 

Gas cost a growing problem on Manatee farms

Steve John, citrus supervisor at SMR Farms, tops off a diesel tractor at the grove barn Tuesday. Many task in agriculture are aided by fuel driven machinery and the high price of fuel has made an impact on farmers.

 

Save the water for those who need it

Residents of Florida are naturally sympathetic to the victims of unpredictable weather. And with a prolonged drought causing water levels in metro Atlanta’s main drinking source, Lake Lanier, to reach all-time lows, it seems obvious that Georgia’s citizens could count on their friendly neighbors to the south to lend a helping hand.

 

Insurer Catlin Says on Track Despite Subprime Hit

UK-listed insurer Catlin Group (CGL.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it is on course to achieve its goals for 2007, despite taking a $75 million hit from subprime-related assets.

 

Ambac talks with muni issuers to ease concerns, keep business

Ambac Assurance Corp. , rocked by subprime and investor worry, said it is meeting with municipal bond market participants to try to ease their concerns that it could lose its triple-A rating due to exposure to troubled mortgage-related securities.