Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, October 15
Oct 15, 2008
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State storm fund short, official says
A state fund responsible for backing up homeowners insurers in the event of a major or catastrophic storm said Tuesday that it could not make good on its $28 billion promise to help pay claims.
Condo board powers in storm emergency raise questions
Should a hurricane again strike Florida, condo boards now possess an unprecedented ability to quickly act.
Fla. AG cracking down on debt relief industry
While many Floridians are being hit hard by the economic downturn, for some, the money crunch is delivering a one-two punch.
Brown & Brown, Inc. Inadvertently Releases Preliminary Third-Quarter Financial Results
Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO) announced that it inadvertently released certain preliminary incomplete financial data for its third fiscal quarter of the year earlier this afternoon. Such information was not yet complete and had not been reviewed by the company’s audit committee or auditors. The Company promptly contacted the New York Stock Exchange and requested that trading temporarily be halted until after the issuance of this press release, which request was granted.
Burglaries, larceny increase in Florida
As the economy has sunk, burglary and theft have been on the rise, and Florida’s top prosecutor warns that it could get worse.
Incumbent Reagan faces retired educator Jackson in District 67 race
State Rep. Ron Reagan, a Republican incumbent, faces Democratic candidate Richard J. Jackson, a retired educator, for the District 67 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.
Study finds gender, weekend gap in heart-attack care
Florida hospitals are much less likely to provide timely treatment for serious heart attacks if they occur on the weekend, according to a University of South Florida study. And while racial disparity appears to have disappeared, the USF study found, the gender gap persists: Women are far less likely than men to receive the right care.
EDITORIAL: Mental health deserves parity
With new law, millions now have access to treatment
By the time the massive $700 billion financial bailout bill was ready for a final vote, it had become what Congressional insiders call a ‘Christmas tree’ — liberally bedecked with special-interest baubles, with tax breaks for everything from wool production to wooden arrows.
U.S. asked to shut down Seminole slots, card games
Attorney General Bill McCollum Tuesday renewed his call for the federal government to shut down the Las Vegas-style card games and slot machines operating at the Seminoles’ Hard Rock Casino near Hollywood.
Local impact of $250 billion federal plan to buy bank shares to be seen
Local bankers say they are searching for details of a $250 billion plan by the government to directly buy shares in the nation’s leading banks to gauge the local impact.
Southwest Florida economy is ill but improving
Bob Ball, executive director of Southwest Florida International Airport, offered that message for a group of real estate developers, insurance professionals and economic gurus in Lee County on Tuesday.
Florida AG: “No excuse” not to purge voter rolls of felons
Florida’s attorney general said Tuesday there is “no excuse” for the state’s failure to purge tens of thousands of convicted felons from the voter rolls in time for Election Day.
Incumbent, 2 challengers vie for Dist. 69
Three candidates are in the race for the District 69 seat in the Florida House of Representatives during the Nov. 4 general election.
Senate District 24 race heats up
Democrat Kendall Moore says you shouldn’t vote for him if you’re happy with how things have gone in Florida with insurance hikes and educational funding cuts.
FBI Reported to Begin Probe of Florida Congressman
Pursuing Reports Mahoney Paid Hush Money to Alleged Mistress
The FBI has reportedly begun its own preliminary investigation into an ABC News report that West Palm Beach Congressman Tim Mahoney (D-FL) hired an alleged mistress to work on his official staff and then paid her $121,000 to keep her from going public and filing suit after she was fired.
Crist says Fla. is his top priority, then McCain
Sen. John McCain may put country first in his presidential bid, but one of his leading Republican supporters – Florida Gov. Charlie Crist – said his state’s business comes first.
Governor Crist Applauds Selection of Florida as Part of E85 Pump Partnership
National Governors Association and General Motors Corporation team up with states to expand ethanol infrastructure
Governor Charlie Crist today announced that Florida has been selected to join with the National Governors Association (NGA), General Motors Corporation (GM) and nine other states in a project to increase access to alternative fuels. As part of the public-private partnerships, each state will work with GM to advance E85 infrastructure and usage.
Governor Crist Announces $1.4 Billion in Accelerated Road Construction
Florida Department of Transportation answers Governor’s Accelerate Florida challenge
Continuing his focus on strengthening Florida’s economy, Governor Charlie Crist and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Secretary Stephanie C. Kopelousos today announced the acceleration of more than 179 projects, totaling $1.4 billion in road construction funding. The projects include road resurfacing, lane additions, bridge rehabilitation and safety enhancements to the state’s transportation system. The projects will employ 39,000 people and generate $7.84 billion in economic benefits, a $5.60 return on each state dollar invested.
Florida’s Public Service Commission concluded it doesn’t have the information to answer key energy questions by its Feb. 1 deadline.
Florida’s top utility regulators grappled Tuesday with the question of how much solar, wind and biofuels the state should use to produce future electric power and how much Florida electric customers should pay for the climate-friendly technology.
Pay now, get nuclear power in 2016
In a landmark decision for Florida’s bid to lead the country’s nuclear renaissance, state regulators gave Progress Energy the go ahead to charge customers for its $17-billion nuclear project years before it starts producing electricity.
Collier joins Broward in opposing Alley lease
Rather than try to defeat its neighbors at the money game, Collier County is joining them.
Business group pushes for local government spending cap
One of state’s largest business groups opened up a new front in the great Florida tax revolt Tuesday when it launched a petition drive to put a local-government spending cap on the 2010 ballot.
The Cuban vote: A generational political shift?
A generational shift in politics?
Mercedes Leon tries to stay away from politics at family gatherings, but inevitably, the subject comes up when she and her 26-year-old son, Enrique, get together.
U.S. faces $20 billion flood-insurance debt
Barely noticed in the clamor over the financial industry bailout, a multibillion-dollar rescue operation is under way in Washington to keep one of the world’s largest insurers afloat.
Dinallo Outlines Credit Swap Status To Senate
New York State Superintendent of Insurance Eric Dinallo echoed an offer by New York Gov. David Paterson’s to regulate part of the credit default swap market at a Senate hearing today, but also endorsed a more “holistic” approach to the problem.