Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, October 8
Oct 8, 2008
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Condos say state insurer owes them millions for 2004 hurricane damage
It’s been four years since Florida suffered through its worst hurricane season in recorded history — the 2004 quartet of Charley, Frances, Jeanne and Ivan, and a cumulative $42 billion in damage.
Homeowner associations want state protections from legislators
Homeowner associations are shouting the message: We want tougher regulation and we want it now.
Study: Small biz owners not aware of risks of self-insured groups
Small business owners are not aware of the financial risks involved in obtaining workers’ compensation insurance through self-insured groups, according to a new study by Opinion Research Corp.
Deadline looms for post-Fay aid, but few seeking it
Want help rebuilding? Oct. 27 last day for low-interest government loan
The Oct. 27 deadline to apply for low-interest government loans to rebuild after Tropical Storm Fay is fast approaching. But less than 10 percent of people issued applications locally have submitted their paperwork, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Architects volunteer to assess the utility of buildings after disasters
The leadership of the American Institute of Architects’ Florida chapter says it has a deal for Gov. Charlie Crist and state lawmakers that costs nothing and could mean residents displaced by storms get back to their homes faster.
Florida to get $3.6-million in Eli Lilly settlement
Florida will receive $3.6-million as part of a $62-million settlement with Eli Lilly & Co. to resolve an investigation into how it marketed its antipsychotic drug Zyprexa.
Florida Web Site to Help Teen Drivers
Teenage drivers can now share their own safety tips and experiences behind the wheel with other teens across Florida.
Florida funds feel the heat of market turmoil
As the credit market turmoil continues, investments in financial services stocks for the state pension fund and state treasury see losses.
Investments in financial company stocks and bonds have created a dent in the portfolios held by the state employee pension fund and the Florida Treasury.
Medicare payments to Miami-Dade health agencies halted
Medicare officials took aim at a major area of alleged fraud in Miami-Dade — home healthcare.
Suspecting widespread fraud, Medicare has suspended payments to Miami-Dade County’s top 10 home healthcare agencies and ordered all local home healthcare providers to reapply to the federal insurance program.
Former WellCare employee pleads guilty to conspiracy
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tampa has identified one of the participants in an alleged conspiracy by WellCare Health Plans to falsify records so it would appear the company was spending as much as it was supposed to on mental health and substance abuse treatment for Florida Medicaid patients.
District 70 candidates talk of less government
When Doug Holder moved to Sarasota County from West Palm Beach a year before the 2006 election, few people knew who he was.
Weinstein already out to be speaker
But his opponent says he’s tired of “CEOs” misguiding the state.
Although he has yet to win election to the Florida House, Mike Weinstein, a 59-year-old Republican, has already lined up support for a bid to be House speaker in his fourth term.
Ric Keller faces tight race after pair of costly decisions
Nearly two years ago, U.S. Rep. Ric Keller made two decisions that could cost him another chance to represent Central Florida in the U.S. House.
EDITORIAL: Snyder has found his role
State Rep. William Snyder, R-Stuart, doesn’t think that he’s going to single-handedly reform Tallahassee. He doesn’t think that he’s going to solve all of Florida’s problems. But in his first term, he picked an area in which he had some expertise, then sponsored bills to deal with specific, solvable problems – and actually got several of them passed.
Groups to sue over Fla. ‘electioneering’ law
A Florida law requiring ‘electioneering communications’ groups to register with the state is facing a federal court challenge.
Billions of gallons drain away amid push for more water restrictions
Even as South Florida water managers push for tough year-round watering restrictions to force conservation, they continue to dump and drain billions of wasted gallons out to sea.
Axing shuttle won’t end as many jobs as feared, NASA says
NASA plans to tell Congress today that the retirement of the space shuttle in 2010 won’t result in as many job losses as initially anticipated, according to congressional sources and documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel.
Plans outlined for Vero Beach ethanol plant
A biorefinery that will produce ethanol using everything from tires to trees to citrus peel is expected to be operating in Indian River County by the second quarter of 2010.
Florida renewable energy rule criticized as too weak
A proposed renewable energy rule being considered by Florida utility regulators would be the weakest in the nation, critics charged Tuesday.
Solar energy gets huge earmark in bailout bill
Congress’ financial bailout included an increase and extension on tax credits for solar energy users, still mostly an option for the rich.
Earlier this year, Vicki Eckels put a state-of-the-art solar power system on her house in Fort Lauderdale for $43,000. ”I feel good because I’m a clean energy producer.” The federal government will reward her by knocking off $2,000 from her 2008 taxes.
Dinallo Tells Congress Insurers Don’t Need U.S. Regulation
New York’s insurance regulator told a congressional oversight hearing today that it “would be a broad misunderstanding, bordering on inappropriate,” to view the American International Group liquidity problems as an argument for federal regulation.
Louisiana Lawmakers Seek Limit on Named Storm Deductibles
Key Louisiana lawmakers plan to challenge property insurers by trying to limit the special deductibles they can impose when homes are damaged by tropical storms and hurricanes.
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