Capitol to Courthouse News: Friday, November 7
Nov 7, 2008
Click on a headline to read the complete story:
CFO Sink Launches “Florida Housing Help” Web Site
Product of Sink’s Financial Action Team, Web site offers help to struggling homeowners, veterans, and local governments
To provide immediate assistance to Florida homeowners searching for federal housing assistance, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink and her Financial Action Team today announced the launch of “Florida Housing Help,” a new Web feature that can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com.
Florida Gov. Names 8 to Building Commission
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist recently reappointed some and appointed others to the Florida Building Commission, pending Senate confirmation.
FPL receives OK to pass along $1 billion in costs
Total increase in bills unclear
The state will allow Florida Power & Light Co. to pass at least $1 billion in costs to customers starting in January.
McCain hurt by foreclosures in Florida
Alicia Smith has been unable to find work since she left a job as a convenience store cashier to have a baby two years ago. She voted for Democratic president-elect Barack Obama, hoping he’ll create more jobs.
The number of votes separating state Rep. Debbie Boyd and Republican challenger Elizabeth Porter has grown, but the District 11 contest still appears headed for a recount.
Pair of Redistricting Amendments Under Review
Two lawyers, both former Democratic lawmakers, urged the Florida Supreme Court to give preliminary approval to a pair of citizen initiatives designed to prevent political favoritism – gerrymandering – in redistricting.
Who should pay $6M for Turkey Point shutdown?
In March 2006, a disgruntled worker drilled a tiny hole in a crucial pipe at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant.
Few provisional ballots get through canvass
Two days after Election Day, canvassing boards in Miami-Dade and Broward counties still had thousands of ballots left to count, recount and occasionally puzzle over.
Florida’s billion-dollar deficit is growing
Florida’s cash shortfall is growing, now at a projected $1.25 billion.
POLL: Alley letters keep governor’s office busy
Letter-writing is a lost art, some say. Folks in the governor’s office might disagree. With 4,000 letters and faxes received regarding the potential lease of Alligator Alley since June 1, Gov…
Appeal may affect smokers’ lawsuits
A tobacco lawyer asked the Florida Supreme Court to reverse a $545,000 product-liability verdict Thursday because the ailing smoker who won the judgment wasn’t required to prove the company could have made a safer cigarette.
20,000 Realtors meeting in Orlando embrace audacity of hope
As 20,000 Realtors from around the country gather today in Orlando for their annual conference and exposition, the theme is “Full Speed Ahead.”
Opinion: Positive outcome in House 69
Before Laura Benson reheated her election rematch with Keith Fitzgerald, she was asked if she regretted her decision two years ago to authorize a dumb, negative advertisement portraying her opponent as a crazy professor.
Trends in House District 69 help Fitzgerald win again
Republicans are the largest voting bloc in House District 69, but substantial numbers of them have crossed party lines to pick Democrat Keith Fitzgerald — twice.
New rep. plans to follow Cusack’s path
As Dwayne Taylor prepares to replace Joyce Cusack as the state representative in District 27, he recognizes he has big shoes to fill.
Smaller steps likely first in Obama Cuba policy
Campaigning before Cuban-Americans here last spring, Barack Obama promised that if elected he’d immediately lift Bush administration restrictions on their travel back to the communist island and on the amount of money they can send home to relatives.
GAO Lists Top Issues for Next President and Congress; Unveils New Transition Web Site
Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro Thursday released a list of 13 urgent issues the Government Accountability Office has identified as among those needing the attention of President-Elect Obama and the 111th Congress during the transition and the first year of the new administration and Congress.
Treasury Maps Out TARP Boundaries
The Treasury Department last night told insurers that they have been ruled eligible for assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program if they have a federal regulatory link, such as a thrift charter or a bank holding company charter.
Fidelity National Financial and LandAmerica Financial Group. Announce Merger Agreement
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. and LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement under which FNF will acquire LFG.
NAIC’s $73.1 Million Budget Advances
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has put its $73.1 million 2009 budget in position for final approval after hearing insurance industry representatives urge curtailed spending.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an email to ccochran@cftlaw.com.