Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, September 30
Sep 30, 2009
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State Farm Florida Withdrawal Hearing Moved to December
In a joint filing with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings, the Office of Insurance Regulation and State Farm Florida again moved to push a hearing to address the insurer’s desire to leave the property insurance market back another 30 days to Dec. 17.
Blog: Florida home insurer asks to boost rates
United Property & Casualty Insurance has asked the Office of Insurance Regulation to allow it to increase its average statewide homeowner insurance rates by about 12 percent.
Home inspectors, contractors frustrated by new license law
Already suffering from a grinding recession, Florida’s 3,000 home inspectors, and a growing legion of mold inspectors, face a Catch 22 next summer when they are required for the first time to obtain a state license.
Hollywood political fundraiser arrested in Mutual Benefits corruption case
An influential Broward County eye doctor whose boasts about his political connections in Tallahassee fueled a federal corruption investigation into Gov. Charlie Crist’s office was arrested today on fraud charges.
Florida Part of $40 Million Federal Award to Enroll Children in CHIP, Medicaid
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced $40 million in grants to 69 grantees in 41 states and the District of Columbia to help them find and enroll children who are uninsured but eligible for either Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Alonzo Mourning act among new Florida laws going into effect
An act expanding insurance coverage for kidney transplants that’s named for retired Miami Heat basketball star Alonzo Mourning is among 28 new laws going into effect Thursday.
Public Service Commission on the cusp of reformation
With the state’s utility regulators under fire for their ties to industry, Gov. Charlie Crist this week has the chance to change the future of the Public Service Commission by appointing two new faces to the five-member panel.
- Phone records show PSC staffers spoke often with utility officials
- Secret Fla. State Business Done With High Tech
Tally trial lawyers backing redistricting effort
A group of Tallahassee trial lawyers are raising coin next week for the FairDistrictsFlorida.org group that wants to place a constitutional amendment before voters next year changing the way the state draws its legislative and congressional districts.
SEC files to stop alleged fraud by Fla. virtual reality company
The Securities and Exchange Commission today filed a civil injunctive action against a virtual reality technology company, its principals, and three former sales agents for conducting a fraudulent offering scheme that garnered investors primarily through telemarketer sales out of a boiler room in the company’s Delray Beach, Fla., offices.
Florida’s beneficial tax climate ranks the state fifth on the Tax Foundation’s 2010 State Business Tax Climate Index.
Signs point to recession’s easing in Florida
Two key economic markers in Florida — consumer confidence and a much-watched home price index — showed a second consecutive month of improvement, offering further evidence the recession is easing, though a long recovery likely awaits.
Gov. race starts in Florida’s Cabinet
To catch a glimpse of the 2010 governor’s race, look no further than the Cabinet room in the basement of Florida’s Capitol.
Criticism Is Mounting Over Flood Premiums
Congress is preparing to extend the National Flood Insurance Program, despite warnings that the program lacks adequate controls and may be shifting too much money to the insurance industry.
Insurance Industry to Create National Database to Combat Cargo Crime
By networking existing databases and adding secure reporting and analytic functions, two insurance industry organization hope to create a nationwide information sharing system on cargo crimes.
U.S. eyes insurers, fuel in Iran sanctions strategy
The White House is weighing sanctions targeting Iran’s dependence on gasoline imports and insurance firms that underwrite the trade, even as U.S. officials focus for now on diplomatic efforts to resolve a nuclear standoff.
Ex-Moody’s employee warned SEC about muni issues
As Congress steps up scrutiny of the credit rating industry, allegations by another former employee of Moody’s Investors Service have come to light and the big rating agency is being called to account before a House panel.
New York Times: Less Regulation, Better Credit Ratings?
Overregulating of credit ratings might just have a happy ending. Even the National Association of Insurance Commissioners is taking an interest, because insurance watchdogs also use the rating firms credit assessments.
Malpractice reform has always been a resoundingly popular idea with Republicans, which made the topic a perfect one for President Barack Obama to talk about in his recent address to Congress.
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