Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, September 22
Sep 22, 2010
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News Release: Florida Insurance Commissioner Meets With President Barack Obama
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty joins more than 30 state insurance commissioners in a meeting with President Barack Obama today to discuss the states’ role in implementing federal health care reform.
Pasco County sues King Engineering over sinkhole-hit reservoir
Pasco County has sued the engineering firm that handled a reclaimed water reservoir project, claiming the company failed to do its homework when it recommended a Land O’Lakes site where sinkhole problems drove up the cost by nearly $8 million.
Homeowner: State Farm Ignored Sinkhole Warning
A Marion County homeowner was certain a sinkhole was quietly destroying his dream home, but he said his insurance company, State Farm, ignored his warning until it was too late. Now, he’s fighting for the cash he needs to repair the home and make it safe again.
USA TODAY: Surcharges help state insurance plans control rates
Hurricanes are nothing new to Florida. But when four of them swept through and damaged $30 billion worth of property in 2005, homeowners discovered that the state-run Florida’s Citizens Property Insurance lacked the cash to pay claims.
Federal money to help eligible Martin County homeowners hurricane-proof their homes
Alicia Hohsfield thought it would take her 20 years to save the money needed for hurricane shutters and other measures to protect her home near Halpatiokee Regional Park from hurricanes.
New windows from Florida companies save homes, the Earth
Impact-resistant materials made to protect the environment
Maybe it started with the Toyota Prius, or those funny-shaped LED light bulbs.
‘Child only’ health insurance hits snag in Florida
A new health insurance mandate takes effect Thursday
Most of Florida’s major health insurers have stopped writing new “child-only” insurance policies – some pulling out of the market just days before the health-care overhaul requires insurers to provide full coverage to kids with pre-existing conditions.
Ocala Health System buys two health care provider services
One of the largest family care providers in the county has aligned itself with Ocala Health System in an acquisition set to take effect in December.
Judge: Charlie Crist can spend GOP campaign cash, for now
Until a judge rules on a lawsuit demanding contributions be returned to former supporters of Charlie Crist, he can continue spending money on his bid for Senate
Gov. Charlie Crist got a reprieve Tuesday afternoon after a Collier County judge ruled that he can continue spending millions of dollars in contributions he received as a Republican Senate candidate.
Governor Crist names key Obama fundraiser to judicial nominating commission
Gov. Charlie Crist, a former Republican running as an independent for the U.S. Senate, has named a key supporter of Democratic President Barack Obama to a key legal position.
Appeals court affirms overturning Florida gay adoption ban
A Miami appeals court has upheld a ruling overturning Florida’s law banning adoption by gays.
Miami judge: EPA chief must show up in court over Everglades cleanup
Rejecting argument that the EPA boss is too busy, a Miami judge stands by his order that she appear in court to explain Everglades cleanup failures
Five months ago, U.S. District Judge Alan Gold ordered the top bosses of two state and federal environmental agencies to show up in his Miami courtroom to explain in person how they are going to end the ”glacial delay” miring efforts to clean up the Everglades.
Florida appeals decision in tri-state water dispute
Florida is appealing a judge’s decision that protects Georgia from demands that it release more water from a series of dams to protected threatened or endangered species downstream.
Florida CFO candidate Ausley says politics is holding up rebates for solar items
But state leaders say law is what’s delaying the approval of funds
The Democratic candidate for Florida chief financial officer said Tuesday in Jacksonville that legislative leaders are “playing politics” by not approving $31.5 million in federal money for rebates to residents who installed solar systems and Energy Star air-conditioner units.
Questionable documents found in GMAC foreclosures in Florida, other states
Staffer didn’t verify papers before signing, lawyer says
A GMAC Mortgage employee, questioned in a Palm Beach County civil foreclosure defense case in December, has been tied to the giant loan-servicing company’s decision to halt evictions and stall sales of thousands of foreclosed properties in Florida and 22 other states, company officials said Tuesday.
Blog: Nonpartisan Voters Coalition endorses Crist, Sink
Palm Beach County’s nonpartisan Voters Coalition, whose endorsements are typically prized by candidates from both parties, is recommending independent Charlie Crist in Florida’s Senate race and Democrat Alex Sink for governor.
Rubio’s call to change Social Security puts him in line with experts, if not voters
From as far back as Barry Goldwater in 1964, political candidates have risked backlash in Florida for suggesting changes to Social Security.
State Rep. Kevin Ambler’s contest of Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman’s state Senate primary election got its first hearing this morning before a Leon County Circuit Court judge, who is expected to decide quickly whether to dismiss the case.
Deutch, Budd compete for seat in U.S. House District 19
In April, Ted Deutch became the newly elected representative of the 19th congressional district.
Florida website aids jobless construction workers
The Florida Home Builders Association has launched a website to provide job leads and training information to nearly 332,000 unemployed construction workers.
Column: Bureaucracy hampers plan to create jobs
Nothing gets in the way of a well-intentioned government program like a dose of reality. For the Florida Back to Work program, the wake-up call comes next week, when funding for the much-hyped jobs initiative ends.
Column: Amendment 4: a (bad) sign of the times in Florida
It’s the biggest election story in Florida that you haven’t seen. This would be Amendment 4, usually known as Florida Hometown Democracy.
Senate Extends Flood Insurance for 1 Year; Measure Goes to House
The U.S. Senate last night passed by unanimous consent a measure extending the National Flood Insurance Program for one year until Sept. 30, 2011.
USA TODAY: Hurricanes may cost beyond those hit
A major hurricane in the southern U.S. could carry a financial punch that reaches far beyond coastal communities by forcing hefty insurance surcharges on millions of unaffected people to help pay claims on damaged homes, a USA TODAY analysis shows.
Poor Service Leads to Fraudulent Insurance Claims, Survey Finds
More than half (55 percent) of U.S. consumers say poor service from an insurance company is more likely to cause an individual to commit fraud against that company, according to a survey by Accenture.
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