Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, September 24
Sep 24, 2008
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Note: The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America has created a new, weekly feature entitled “Decision 2008,” which is designed to provide news and information about key political races that could affect the insurance industry. For your convenience, Capitol to Courthouse News will reprint the entire “Decision 2008” newsletter below.
Insurance Overseer Supports a National Catastrophe Fund
Insurance commissioner doesn’t sound like a high-profile job, but it can be in hurricane-prone Florida.
AIG Makes A Case For State Regulation, Says McCarty
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty said today that opinions by trade groups and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson that the financial difficulties of American International Group demonstrated a need for federal insurance regulation are unwarranted.
SENATOR RING: Private industry is where insurance risk belongs
As we continue through the peak of the hurricane season, we are reminded as each storm passes of the potential devastation. Many of us moved to Florida within the last 10 years for the promise of year-round sunshine, no personal income taxes, and a chance to raise our children in a culturally diverse and growing economy.
City gets flood-insurance discounts for residents
The city of Tallahassee on Tuesday released the 2008 annual progress report on its strategies for coping with flooding and other hazards, thereby earning property owners a 20-percent discount on their flood-insurance premiums.
FSU: Rising sea level may not be as bad as thought
New research by Florida State University suggests that a future sea level rise along Florida’s coast might be lower than an international climate panel previously predicted
In storm, trees could turn to trap
Hurricane evacuation routes are threatened by more than 900,000 square feet of non-native trees prone to toppling over in high winds.
Advocates want autism center taken from UF
Parents’ petition asks for UNF to take over authority.
First Coast parents are alleging that widespread problems within an agency charged with helping autistic children have wasted taxpayer money and diminished the quality of services for their children.
Rising health-care costs hit Orlando
Orlando-area employers experienced some of the biggest increases in health-care costs in the nation this year, according to an annual study released Tuesday by Hewitt Associates.
Florida third in high-tech exports
The economy may be faltering, but Florida’s high-tech exports are growing.
Florida investigators continue gas-price inquiries
With gasoline outages diminishing and prices heading downward, Florida investigators await final documentation from 20 oil-industry companies to conclude price-gouging inquiries.
Shortages in Tallahassee and elsewhere ahead of and after Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas have some consumers still snakebit.’When we find it, we top off our tanks,’ said Debby Boutin on Tuesday at a Tallahassee station.
Florida casino gambling rising as lottery stagnates
Gambling at casinos and poker rooms in Florida is on the rise, while lottery sales are stagnant and race track betting is down, according to the 2008 North American Gaming Almanac. The Sunshine State ranks sixth nationally in gambling revenue, with $3.7-billion in 2007. That was a 5.4 percent increase from 2006. Revenue at Florida tribal casinos hit $1.6-billion last year, up 2.3 percent from 2006.
State addresses rumors about voter ID
State elections officials sought this week to correct inaccurate reports that information — such as the address — on voter ID presented at the polls must match voter registration information maintained by local elections supervisors.
District 51: Rumors of changes in party, ballot carry a grain of truth
At least two rumors began flying less than 24 hours after Republican Terry Sanchez dropped out of the race for state House District 51.
Florida House District 101 candidates oppose Alligator Alley plan, split on offshore drilling
Both oppose Alligator Alley privatization
Both call Naples home and are committed to opposing the privatization of Alligator Alley. But state Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, an incumbent in office less than a year, and Democratic challenger Maria Jimenez, a political newcomer, clash on issues such as offshore drilling.
House District 101 candidate profiles
Maria Jimenez
Florida homeless agencies receive $6.9 million from DCF
The Department of Children and Families announced today the award of more than $6.9 mil to communities across Florida that are helping the homeless.
Democratic congressional candidate Christine Jennings is taking no chances in the event that there is a dispute over the District 13 election this November.
NASA’s current waiver expires in 2011, but an American replacement for the shuttle won’t be ready until at least 2015. In the interim, Soyuz capsules are the only proven way to both get astronauts to the station and serve as onboard lifeboats.
Plan for a Florida water czar resurfaces at conference
A controversial proposal to route water from one part of the state to another, scuttled after a huge uproar five years ago, may be revived as part of an Orlando gathering this week to plot the future of Florida’s water supply.
Let Haitians stay for now, U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings urges
U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings on Tuesday pushed for the U.S. government to grant temporary legal status to Haitians now illegally in this country.
Congress Approves Mental Health Bill
Private Insurers Would Provide More Benefits
Congress approved legislation yesterday that would require private insurers to provide the same level of benefits for mental illness as they do for physical maladies, a change lauded by advocates as a great shift in the nation’s understanding of mental health.
AIA, NCOIL Clash Over Federal Versus
Whether or not the recent crisis at American International Group and the fear of a meltdown in the U.S. financial services system proves the need for Washington to regulate the insurance industry–or exactly the opposite–depends on whether you’re for or against an optional federal charter, a debate between leaders of an insurer group and state lawmaker association revealed.
PCI Tells U.S. Trade Commission China Insurance Link Important
In testimony before the U.S. International Trade Commission, the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) stressed the “importance of the U.S.-China insurance trade relationship.” The PCI also told the Commissioners of the “need to allow foreign insurers access to the mandatory third party liability auto insurance marketplace, as well as the “the need to address discriminatory restrictions on foreign investment in Chinese insurance companies.”
New Jersey Scraps Fee for Rebuilding Damaged Homes
Homeowners in New Jersey won’t have to pay the state an extra fee to rebuild their houses after a fire or flood.
Presidential Candidates Turn to Economy and Regulatory Issues
With less than six weeks to Election Day, all eyes have turned to the economy and the nation’s response to the crisis in financial markets. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has called on Congress to work with him and the administration to develop a plan to prevent the market from collapsing and sending the economy into a deep recession.
While the AIG secured loan from the Federal Reserve Board was a major event in the crisis, it is only part of the larger picture.
“PCI commended the federal government and the state insurance departments for the collaboration displayed in their efforts to ensure stability in the marketplace and provide solutions that support the global economy and protect taxpayers,” said David Sampson, president and CEO of PCI. “We will continue to work with the business and regulatory communities, industry groups and leaders at all levels to provide technical expertise and advance solutions for the challenges faced by the financial services sector. It’s important that we work together to meet the needs of consumers while addressing the current systemic risk vulnerabilities in the financial marketplace to ensure long-term stability in the global economy.”
Meanwhile on the presidential campaign trail, Democratic and Republican hopefuls, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain, traded barbs but both also called for bipartisan leadership to help the country resolve the crisis. While the candidates generally differ on their approach to the economy and regulation, on this issue both agreed that the federal government had a role to play in preventing further economic meltdown.
Click here for Obama’s Statement of Principles for the Treasury Proposal
Click here for McCain’s Plan to Reform the Financial Markets
Dates to Remember
Friday, September 26 – The 1st Presidential Debate – Oxford, MS.
Thursday, October 2 – The Vice Presidential Debate – St. Louis, MO.
Tuesday, October 7 – The Second Presidential Debate – Belmont University, Nashville, TN.
Wednesday, October 15 – The Third Presidential Debate – Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY.
Voter Registration Deadline Approaches in Many States Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) – Register Today
Voting is a right and the ultimate expression of our freedom. But you can’t vote if you’re not registered. Are you and your family members registered to vote? Registering is easy and takes only a few moments.
Click here to get all the information and download a registration form.
Registration deadlines are approaching soon in the following states:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
Register today and make certain your voice counts on Election Day!
Governor’s Races in 11 States will Help Shape the Direction of the Country
Don’t let all the attention on the presidential campaign detract from the 11 states that will be choosing governors in November.
“The races for governor this year take on additional importance because the winners will be in office for 2010 when legislative districts are redrawn,” said John Lobert, senior vice president of state government relations for PCI. “Every 10 years with the census, the states engage in a process of redrawing state legislative and congressional district boundaries. Currently, the Democrats hold a 28 to 22 lead in governorships, but the GOP is fighting hard to regain the majority it held for many years. We are also watching these races very closely because in some of the states holding contests, the governor appoints the insurance commissioner.” Read More
Quick Takes: A Look at Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas
PCI examines the political landscape in several states in the Southeast with summaries about Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Read More
This Just In…News from Alaska, Delaware and Indiana
Young Wins Alaska GOP Primary for U.S. House Seat
As discussed last week, The Alaska Division of Elections finished its counting of absentee ballots September 17 and incumbent Don Young held onto a slim 304 vote lead. Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell conceded and announced that he would not request a recount. In his statement to the media, Parnell noted that his role as Lieutenant Governor takes on heightened importance if the McCain-Palin ticket wins the White House. Young will now face Democrat Ethan Berkowitz in the race for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat.
New Poll Shows Indiana Governor’s Race Tightening
According to a new poll conducted for Indianapolis Star and WTHR – Channel 13, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels is in a tighter race than many expected. The poll shows Daniels has a four point advantage (46 to 42 percent) over Democrat Jill Long Thompson. The candidates also met this past week in Merrillville for the first of three debates around the state. The next debate will be Tuesday, September 23, Jasper Arts Center, in Jasper, Indiana. Read More
Click here to watch the hour-long debate.
Delaware Candidates for Insurance Commissioner Debate the Issues
Democrat Karen Weldin Stewart, Republican John Brady and Independent Party of Delaware candidate Tom Savage met in a debate last week sponsored by the Delaware Association of Insurance Agents & Brokers. The candidates outlined their qualifications and the approach they would take as insurance commissioner. Read More
Quick Takes: Federal Races
PCI examines congressional races in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. Read More
Election 2008 Tool Box
Make sure your voice is heard in 2008. Register to vote, learn how to vote early and find information on candidates seeking office across the country.
Do you need to look up the elected officials that currently represent you? Click here to access a list of your federal and state legislators, including full biographies and contact information.
Election Day 2008 features the Presidential Election, 33 U.S. Senate Elections, and 435 U.S. Congressional Elections. There are also 11 state gubernatorial elections. This year’s state legislative elections will bring inevitable change with nearly 80 percent of all legislative seats scheduled for elections. Finally, there are insurance commissioner races in Delaware, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Washington State. Click here to access state and federal candidate information.
Don’t miss the crucial 2008 election! With the exception of North Dakota, every state requires eligible voters to register to vote before casting a ballot. In terms of methods and deadlines, registration procedures vary greatly from state to state. Click here for state specific information and forms you need to become a registered voter.
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