Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, October 14
Oct 14, 2009
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Insurance dispute delays 1515 condo tower demolition in West Palm Beach
The walls will come tumbling down, but it might not take two seconds and it might not be this year.
ExxonMobil wants Florida to better define gas price gouging in hurricanes
Oil giant ExxonMobil claims that Florida’s price gouging law is too vague and that the company might not supply fuel in future emergencies if the law isn’t clarified.
Area’s rising sea levels all too easy to ignore
In a state bounded on three sides by water, a change in sea level carries great significance. That’s Florida.
Insurers drop Florida drywall victims
At least two home insurers in Florida have begun dropping policyholders who filed claims liked for property damage linked to drywall imported from China.
Uninsured children a crisis in Florida
Divisive as the ongoing debate over how to reform the American health care system, there should be little argument that providing medical care to all our youngest and most vulnerable citizens must be a priority.
Gov. Crist petitions for order to impanel statewide grand jury
Governor Charlie Crist today filed with the Florida Supreme Court a petition for order to impanel a Statewide Grand Jury. Governor Crist deems it to be in the best interest of the public for a Statewide Grand Jury to investigate criminal activity committed by public officials while acting in their official capacity.
- To see the petition click here.
- Attorney General’s Statement on Call for Statewide Grand Jury
- School Board’s Kraft: Husband severing tie with lobbyist | Board to set up watchdog committee
Crist ‘regretted’ secrecy, notified legislative leaders in May of economic incentives to businesses
Republican Gov. Charlie Crist released a memo Tuesday showing he approached Republican leaders in the legislature, including Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, before approving $20 million in cash incentives for a Port St. Lucie animation company.
Wexler announcement could trigger Democratic free-for-all
U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Boca Raton, is expected to confirm publicly this morning what he’s been telling South Florida Democratic insiders over the last couple days: that he’s resigning from Congress to take a job with the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation.
State attorney appeals dismissal of charges against Sansom
The criminal trial of state Rep. Ray Sansom has been put on hold while legal issues surrounding an appeal of a judge’s dismissal of most of the charges are sorted out.
Solar group’s endorsement of offshore drilling causes controversy
An association of solar energy businesses in Florida stunned environmentalists last month by declaring its support for offshore oil drilling.
Dems hold rare money-raising edge in Florida governor’s race
After being out of the governor’s mansion nearly 11 years, Florida Democrats hold a rare money-raising edge in the 2010 gubernatorial campaign.
Republican primary candidates may step forward for governor, attorney general
Gov. Charlie Crist knows something about competition these days.
Upstart U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio appears poised to give Crist a spirited Republican primary contest for the seat next year, with $1 million raised last quarter and a growing base of conservative support.
Two more top-tier Republicans bow out of Grayson Congressional race
Two more top-tier Republicans decided Tuesday that they would not challenge U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson for his Orlando congressional seat — leaving the GOP establishment without a favored candidate against the outspoken freshman Democrat.
Florida receives full funding for energy programs
Business Journal Related Florida has received the remaining $63 million it is to get in federal stimulus dollars to support energy efficiency and able energy projects across the state. That brings to $126 million the amount Florida is getting from the through the State Energy Program.
Crist warning state agencies of potential budget cuts
From the Florida governor’s office, more gloomy news on next year’s budget. ‘I have discussed the state’s financial forecast with the Governor this afternoon,’ Crist budget director Jerry L. McDaniel writes in this memo late yesterday
Blog: Four ex-governors back restoring Florida Forever funding
Environmental groups have lined up four ex-governors — Reubin Askew, Bob Graham, Bob Martinez and Jeb Bush — for their campaign to restore funding to the Florida Forever land buying program.
Orlando is a front-runner for JetBlue headquarters
JetBlue Airways is looking for a new headquarters, and Orlando is on a short – make that a very short – list of potential locations.
After an extensive review, the New York-based airline said it has decided to focus its search on just two destinations: the New York metropolitan area and Orlando.
Getting online taxes in Florida’s hands
If the latest gloomy financial forecast out of Tallahassee isn’t enough to prompt state lawmakers to finally take steps to start collecting sales taxes on Internet purchases, it’s likely nothing will.
Foreign trade expected to lead Florida recovery
International trade will lead Florida out of the recession, although the states recovery will lag behind the nation, said economic analysts specializing in global trade.
Florida inquiry faults loans given to Long, Nembhard
A Governor’s Office inquiry into loans first investigated by The Sun has found a number of irregularities in the processes of a state-funded agency tasked with providing capital to minority-owned businesses.
Virtual blackjack coming to South Florida horse and dog tracks to help you lose real money
Blackjack is coming to South Florida horse and dog tracks this year. The state has approved a virtual blackjack game that’s just a live dealer away from the real thing. Five players sit at a video terminal, and an animated computerized person doles out cards.
Florida Solar Plant Set to Open, Even as Shadows Loom
Acres of photovoltaic panels at Florida Power & Light’s plant in De Soto County will help generate enough electricity to power 3,000 homes. The utility owns 13,000 acres in De Soto, enough for a solar array that some day could meet 10% of FPL’s energy needs.
Senator Mike Fasano Receives Three Prestigious Awards
During the past month State Senator Mike Fasano has been honored by three organizations for his legislative efforts on behalf of the individuals the groups serve.
Louisiana Rolls Out New Online Auto and Homeowners Rate Guides
The Louisiana Department of Insurance announced that its 2009 online auto and homeowners rate comparison guides are now available for viewing on the Department of Insurance Web site at www.ldi.state.la.us.
PCI Submits Testimony Supporting McCarran-Ferguson
A bill to amend the McCarran-Ferguson Act would reduce competition for consumers in the important health and medical liability insurance markets, according to testimony submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.
Risk Managers Call for Insurance Broker Compensation Disclosure
In a report released today, The Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. (RIMS) is calling for complete disclosure of revenue streams from placing insurance products.
Insurers declare war on arsons in Detroit
A coalition of insurance companies has vowed to snuff out arson in Wayne County and pledged to pay for two investigators and an assistant prosecutor to attack the problem.
European actuaries call for two Solvency II standards
A group representing 36 European actuarial associations, Group Consultatif Actuariel Européen, called Wednesday for developing two actuarial standards as part of Solvency II.
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