Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, September 8
Sep 8, 2010
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Florida’s Royal Palm Insurance Gets 15% Homeowners Rate Increase
Gainesville, Fla.-based Royal Palm Insurance Company has received approval for an average statewide homeowners insurance rate increase of 15 percent.
Blog: Citizens Property Insurance grilled about rate hike request
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. officials were questioned Tuesday about the insurer’s request for an average 8.4 percent statewide rate hike.
Tampa area police on the hunt for unlicensed contractors
When the workers arrived one by one at a Tampa apartment last month, the man who answered the door asked if they could install some ceiling fans and change a water heater. He had found their ads on Craigslist and said he wanted bids.
Explorer Insurance Driving Out of Florida
“Due to our deteriorating results in Florida, we are reducing all commissions to zero percent, effective Sept. 7, 2010. We appreciate your continued understanding and support.”
AcelaRate Workers’ Compensation Online Quoting Expands to Florida
The AcelaRate division of All Risks, Ltd., has expanded its online quoting platform to include workers’ compensation for Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, and Texas risks. More states are expected to come online by year end.
Risky reporting? FDOT official’s warning prompts debate
FDOT spokesman Steve Olson cautioned reporters about being a distraction and quoted a colleague who said some journalists’ behavior ‘borders on reckless.’
Wreck reporting on Interstate 4 recently drew withering criticism from an unusual source: the Florida Department of Transportation.
Regulations fly by Florida’s parasail industry
Every so often, parasailers soaring above the Gulf of Mexico off Florida’s west coast tumble from the sky and plummet into the water or onto the beach.
More South Florida drivers ask judges for break on traffic tickets
Facing traffic fines they say they can’t pay, a growing number of South Florida motorists are asking for a break or simply ignoring their citations, judges say.
Health advocacy programs are gaining momentum in South Florida
When Nelly Gonzalez’s primary doctor referred her to a specialist, she figured he too would be part of the same Cigna network and require only a small co-payment.
Sunshine State News: Jacksonville Councilman Daniel Davis Picked to Take Carroll’s House Seat
A panel of Republicans on the state committee from Clay and Duval counties have named Jacksonville City Councilman Daniel Davis as their candidate for the seat currently held by Rep. Jennifer Carroll, R-Jacksonville, who was picked by Rick Scott as his running mate for lieutenant governor.
Blog: Scott says he’ll release his tax returns
In response to Democrat Alex Sink’s announcement that she and her husband will release their individual tax returns for the past five years, Republican Rick Scott’s campaign said that he and his wife intend to do the same.
Blog: Former Democratic Senator Skip Campbell endorses Crist
Newly independent U.S. Senate candidate Charlie Crist has added to his list of formerly-famous Democrats who’ve endorsed his candidacy. The latest is Walter “Skip” Campbell, the former state senator from Broward who lost to Bill McCollum in the attorney general’s race four years ago.
Challenge to Florida class size amendment in court
A lawsuit challenging the Legislature’s proposed state constitutional amendment to loosen class size limits is getting its day in court.
Gov. Crist asks for review of French rail company, citing ‘Holocaust’ concerns
Gov. Charlie Crist late Friday ordered a review of a French company competing to build a high-speed rail line in Florida, saying he was concerned about questions over the company’s role in the Holocaust.
Senator blasts Florida Department of Corrections over contracting decision
The Florida Department of Corrections is once again being forced to defend some of its contracting decisions.
Almost 44,000 South Floridians file for foreclosure this year
South Florida has been home to more than $62 billion in loan defaults and 250,000 foreclosure filings since 2007, according to a report released Tuesday by Bal Harbour-based Condo Vultures.
South Florida No. 10 For Stress
Feeling stressed? You’re not alone. Miami-Fort Lauderdale ranked among the 10 most stressful metropolitan areas in America, according to a study conducted by sister publications to the South Florida Business Journal.
Editorial: Potential costs of a Florida immigration law
Impacts on law enforcement should a debate factor
Of all the arguments surrounding the divisive illegal immigration issue, the impact on law enforcement merits major consideration.
Spat over donations to Crist’s Senate campaign continues
Attorneys will head back to the Collier County Courthouse next week as donors to Charlie Crist’s U.S. Senate campaign fight to block him from using about $7.5 million in contributions.
Crist renews support for embryonic stem cell research
Gov. Charlie Crist, visiting Moffitt Cancer Center today, renewed his support for embryonic stem cell research, even though he declined to act on the issue as governor.
The Buzz House Race Rankings: Post-Primary Edition
For the third time this election cycle – and the first time since July 23 — the Buzz is ranking the six U.S. House seats in Florida that are most vulnerable to a party switch.
Democrat Sink backs extending Bush tax credits during Delray stop
Democratic governor candidate Alex Sink, visiting a roofing business here to promote alternative energy, broke with President Obama and many in her party today by calling for an extension of all the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts signed by former President George W. Bush.
Blog: Rick Scott agrees to CNN/USF/St. Pete Times and Leadership Florida debates
The Rick Scott gubernatorial campaign has accepted two invitations for statewide televised debates: The first will be Wednesday, October 20th debate in Davie, organized by Leadership Florida in partnership with the Florida Press Association.
GOP to stage rally in Sarasota
More than a dozen Republican candidates will be there
Sarasota will be at the heart of Florida politics Saturday — at least for Republicans.
Blog: Texas Governor Perry blamed for higher homeowners’ insurance rates by Democratic PAC
A Democratic PAC is taking aim at Gov. Rick Perry in a new TV spot that accuses the Republican of allowing insurers to reap big profits in Texas by forcing homeowners to pay among the highest premiums in the nation.
Moody’s Revises Deferred Acquisition Costs Report for Insurers
Moody’s revised its weekly credit report concerning deferred acquisition costs, breaking the category for insurers into three groups instead of two.
Catastrophe Bonds Gain for Eighth Straight Week as Storms Fade
Catastrophe bonds, used by investors to bet against natural disasters, climbed for an eighth straight week as Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona subsided.
Texas Approves 16 Companies to Self-Insure for Workers’ Compensation Claims
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) approved one initial application and 15 renewals of the Certificates of Authority for companies to self-insure their workers’ compensation claims for a one-year period under the TDI-DWC Self-Insurance Program.
Pedestrian plunges into sidewalk sinkhole in downtown St. Paul
A man was swallowed by a sinkhole Tuesday morning in downtown St. Paul after a leaking water line to an office tower eroded the ground under his feet.
California seeks to fine UnitedHealth up to $9.9 billion
California regulators are seeking fines of up to $9.9 billion from a unit of health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc, citing mismanaged medical claims, failure to pay doctors and other lapses.
Car booster seats make gains in insurance testing
Car booster seats have made strides in ensuring a proper fit for children in the back seat, according to a review by the insurance industry, though just over 10 percent of those evaluated weren’t recommended.
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