Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, November 25
Nov 25, 2009
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Supreme Court will hear case based on Florida’s beach renourishment program
The sugar-white sand that stretches from Slade and Nancy Lindsay’s deck to the clear, green waters of the Gulf of Mexico is some of the finest in the world. Tiny quartz crystals make the beach that stretches along the Florida Panhandle unique, experts say.
Drywall dilemma: Owners demand fixes, but builders await legal, federal actions
About 10 families in The Oaks development, west of Boca Raton, gathered at a neighbor’s house recently to commiserate about the tainted Chinese drywall used in most of their homes.
Sen. Nelson says he’s certain health woes linked to Chinese drywall
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said there’s no doubt in his mind that health problems can be blamed on Chinese drywall, though a new report this week stops short of making that connection.
Florida bank losses deepen to $674M in Q3
The combined losses of Florida-chartered banks more than doubled to $674 million in the third quarter from $251 million in the second quarter.
Federally run home loan guarantor Freddie Mac said the ripple from failures of Ocala-based Taylor, Bean & Whitaker and Colonial Bank exposes it to more than $1 billion in potential losses.
Increases in Florida home prices taper off
The summer’s trend of rising home prices is ebbing as the traditional home shopping season ends, two reports on Tuesday showed.
Political heavyweights may be called as witnesses in House case against Sansom
Former House Speaker Marco Rubio and ex-Senate President Ken Pruitt could be called as witnesses in the House case against Rep. Ray Sansom, according to new documents that foreshadow a high profile, politically charged spectacle.
Fasano plans probe of agency’s food bill
State Sen. Mike Fasano wants to know why the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance isn’t answering questions about how it is spending taxpayer dollars on lunches and food.
Dark-horse DeLand candidate for governor has eye on reform
In 2001, Michael E. Arth moved into a drug-infested slum in DeLand and, with no money and lots of doubters, rebuilt it into a quaint tree-lined enclave of historic homes.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Fundraisers Don’t Deter Atwater’s Gas-Tax Grab
Florida road-builders recently sought to cement their support for state road projects with cash: pouring $10,000 into a political committee headed by Senate President Jeff Atwater.
Florida PSC reviewing old grand jury recommendations
After 17 years and another black eye, the PSC makes moves to adopt 1992 grand jury report.
A 1992 grand jury report that proposed ways to improve the integrity of the Public Service Commission was dusted off and embraced as a good idea Tuesday by consumer advocates and lawyers for electric customers, nearly two decades after state regulators rejected most of the ideas.
To Florida fans, Palin still the one
Fourteen months ago, Lori Pitner came to this same place, saw this same face and left with an enthusiasm for her political party she’d never experienced before.
COLUMN: Mike Huckabee’s visit to Jacksonville–The other book signing most everyone missed
One week before Sarah Palin drew long lines, live TV remotes and a caravan of GOP supporters providing a grand welcome, another potential candidate for the 2012 Republican nomination came to town for a book signing.
Ag commissioner candidate wants conservatism to be issue in race
In the Republican primary for Florida agriculture commissioner, U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow seems like a natural.
Senator Nelson slams Obama, Gulf drilling
Florida’s Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson didn’t hold back on his criticism of the Obama administration’s handling of the economic crisis, nor of his opposition toward any easing of Florida’s offshore drilling ban in a Fort Myers speech Tuesday.
Florida’s move to drill could sway Congress
The immediate debate in the Legislature is about drilling in waters controlled by the state in the narrow band up to 10.3 miles from the coast.
Georgia must broker deal with Florida and Alabama by 2012, task force finds
There are plenty of ways that Georgia can quench metro Atlanta’s thirst if the city is cut off from its main reservoir. But most options are costly and, according to a Georgia water task force, none would provide enough water for the city to meet a federal judge’s 2012 deadline.
Volusia County business leaders set sights on tourism, trade partnerships
Volusia County’s next tourism boost might not come from familiar sources like bikers, breakers and stock car racing followers.
Josephus Eggelletion likely to plead guilty to money-laundering charge
Suspended Broward Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion will be charged Wednesday with money-laundering conspiracy.
Suspended Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, arrested in a federal corruption investigation in September, will be charged with one count of money-laundering conspiracy on Wednesday.
Fort Lauderdale investment firm faces scrutiny in Scott Rothstein probe
George Levin, a wealthy Fort Lauderdale investor with Wall Street connections, thought Scott Rothstein’s confidential legal-settlement deals were a sure thing.
- 4 Rothstein-firm lawyers probed by Florida Bar
- Potential investors in Rothstein scheme had to put up at least $1 million
N.Y. Proposes Rule Changes To Combat Auto Injury Fraud
New York State Insurance Department Superintendent James Wrynn has proposed regulatory changes to help combat phony auto injury claims that plague the state’s no-fault system.
State Farm Gives $4 Million To Aid Distressed Communities
State Farm said it has awarded a $4 million grant to the Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) “Building Sustainable Communities” initiative.
Louisiana Commissioner: Help Available for Victims of Chinese Drywall
Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon says homeowners whose properties are contaminated with defective Chinese drywall and who have been covered for more than three years by their homeowners insurer have the right to continue their coverage while vacating and remediating their home.
NAIC Advances RMBS Modeling Process
Release of Assumptions Draft an Important Step Toward New Designations for Mortgage Backed Securities
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) will expose a discussion draft Wednesday, Nov. 25, outlining the economic assumptions regulators will use to evaluate residential mortgage backed securities (RMBS). The document will be made available on the Valuation of Securities Task Force page of the NAIC Web site.
Madoff Victims’ Suits Likely To Impact Fiduciary Liability Insurers, Says Expert
With fewer hurdles to face in bringing lawsuits against employee benefit plan fiduciaries than against directors and officers, more victims of Ponzi schemes will file pension liability suits, a legal expert predicted recently.
Changes to Federal Insurance Office Act Supported by State Regulators
State insurance regulators have expressed support for recent changes to proposed legislation creating a Federal Insurance Office.
Colorado Researchers Admit Missing Hurricane Prediction
Colorado-based weather researchers say three hurricanes formed in the Atlantic this year, two fewer than they predicted before the season and one less than their August update called for.
Winter Home Fire Threat Seen Rising
The economy and a cold winter may create an increased risk of home fires as the public turns to cheaper, potentially unsafe alternative heating sources, an insurer is warning.
Stringer Elected to Lead Texas Surplus Lines Association
Monte Stringer, executive vice president with U.S. Risk Inc. in Dallas, has been elected president of the Texas Surplus Lines Association Inc. for the coming year.
Bill Would Extend Tax Relief for Midwest Disaster Victims
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley wants Midwest disaster victims to have more to time to benefit from tax relief intended to help with the repair or replacement of damaged homes.
States, Consumer Advocates Challenge Rx Data Mining
When your doctor writes you a prescription, that’s just between you, your doctor, and maybe your health insurance company–right?
Marsh Launches Lottery and Gambling E&O Coverage
Marsh’s London office announced that it has launched a new errors and omissions (E&O) insurance product for the suppliers of lottery and gaming (gambling) organizations.
RIMS Sets New Online Courses And CourseCasts
The Risk and Insurance Management Society, noting that company “travel and training budgets are tight” said it has added four more Web-based professional development offerings.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com.