Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, October 7
Oct 7, 2009
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Legislators Get Insurance Warning
Some insurance companies could go out of business if a major hurricane hits Florida, the state’s insurance commissioner told a Senate panel Tuesday.
Blue Cross of Florida to lay off 150 by year’s end
As economic woes have forced Florida employers to shed workers and the health benefits that once covered them, the impact has reverberated to the state’s largest health insurance carrier.
Florida finally holds a hearing on tainted drywall
Nearly a year after learning that tainted Chinese drywall was corroding wires and pipes, pushing down property values and possibly creating health problems for Floridians, legislators are gearing up to tackle the problem.
Florida’s ‘Whocanisue’ Legal Web Site Attracts Plaintiffs, Irks Other Lawyers
Have you been bitten by a vicious dog? Been the victim of a surgical mishap? A sexual assault on a cruise ship? There’s a lawyer waiting for your call.
New Florida state budget could have deficit of $2.6 billion
Another year. Another budget deficit. A new financial report shows that all the tax increases, spending cuts and raids on savings accounts weren’t enough for Florida’s budget, which could have a deficit next year of as much as $2.6 billion. The main cost-driver: Medicaid.
10-month term in Jackson Memorial Hospital insurance scam
A Jackson Memorial Hospital employee who stole patient records was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Tuesday, and a Miami businessman accused of scheming with her lost his bail after allegedly meddling with a federal grand jury.
State rejects FPL gas pipeline bid
State regulators Tuesday rejected Florida Power & Light’s proposal to build a pipeline through Volusia and Flagler counties, telling the utility to look at other ways to deliver natural gas to its plants.
Thrasher wins state Senate seat
In an election that drew sparse turnout, former House Speaker John Thrasher cruised past three write-in candidates Tuesday and will succeed the late Jim King in the Florida Senate.
Senator J.D.Alexander: Fla. lawmakers may re-visit fee increases
Senate Ways and Means Chairman J.D. Alexander conceded Tuesday lawmakers are still getting heat back in their districts over the menu of fee increases and new taxes the Legislature raised last May to plug a budget hole.
Fla. House panel may name independent counsel
A special House committee may name an independent counsel to investigate former Speaker Ray Sansom.
Senate Creates Select Committee on Florida’s Inland Waters
Senate President Jeff Atwater announced the creation of the Select Committee on Florida’s Inland Waters. Senator Lee Constantine will serve as Chair of the committee which seeks to protect water quality and balance consumption.
Florida CFO Alex Sink today sent a letter to Investment Advisory Council members outlining her three proposals to improve the oversight of the State Board of Administration and protect Floridians’ retirement security.
Florida Governor Charlie Crist is running for US Senate in 2010–and darned if he’s going to let power utilities’ need for capital during a recession stand in his way.
Charlie Crist has a real race on his hands.
Drilling Money Won’t Come to Fla. Quickly
A decision on offshore drilling will likely face state legislators.
An offshore drilling advocate acknowledged it’ll take years before the state can realize the promises of a revenue windfall from oil and natural gas exploration during a Capitol debate Tuesday.
FBI undercover operation shakes up Broward’s political power class
The FBI’s long-running undercover operation to ensnare corrupt elected officials, lobbyists and fundraisers is sending ripples of fear washing over Broward County’s political and power class.
States, Industry Worried Federal Insurance Office Would Regulate
State insurance regulators, insurance carriers and independent insurance agents are concerned that redrafted legislation to create a federal insurance office makes the new agency too much like a regulator.
Michigan Supreme Court to hear insurance credit scoring rate case
Insurance companies and the state agency that oversees them head to the Michigan Supreme Court today to argue whether auto and home insurance rates can be based on information from consumers’ credit scores.
The Nevada Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology (NCET) has honored EMPLOYERS®’ Chief Information Officer Paul Ayoub with the “2009 CIO of the Year” award as part of its annual NCET Awards program, which recognizes Greater Reno-Tahoe’s top technology companies and technology entrepreneurs.
MDA EarthSat Weather Acquires Climetrix From Risk Management Solutions
MDA EarthSat Weather has acquired from Risk Management Solutions the entire weather derivatives software and data franchise, including the full rights to the Climetrix software.
Require public companies to have risk committees: RIMS
The Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc. called Wednesday for mandatory risk committees for certain publicly traded companies.
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