Capitol to the Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, January 12
Jan 12, 2011
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Flimsy Florida sinkhole insurance claims targeted by Legislature
Florida needs new laws to make it harder for homeowners to file sinkhole insurance claims based on cracks in homes or driveways, senators were told Tuesday.
City of Sunrise to repair canal bank that swallowed residents’ backyard
City officials plan to later recapture money from ‘responsible party’
Help is on the way for Sunrise residents whose backyards disappeared into a canal days before Christmas.
Super-sized rate increase would be needed to make rates at state-run insurance company truly sound
Newly elected Governor Rick Scott wants to raise rates at Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to make them “actuarially sound,” but doing so would require homeowners covered by the state-run insurer of last resort to absorb a whopping 55 percent rate increase, officials said Wednesday.
Connecticut firm seeks help for Florida drywall victims
A new Connecticut company is crisscrossing Florida this week in hopes of getting stronger mortgage relief for homeowners with corrosive drywall — and make some money in the process.
Year’s First Major Tort Bill Sails in Florida Senate Judiciary
Automakers would be granted more protection from lawsuit losses in crash cases under a measure that got its first committee hearing Tuesday in a battle pitting business groups and the Republican-led Legislature against trial attorneys.
Health Care Opt-Out Amendment Bill Breezes Through Committee
Voters could see constitutional amendment in 2012
A controversial bill that would place a constitutional amendment on the ballot — allowing the state to opt out of the individual mandate portion of the federal health-care law passed last year — cleared another hurdle in the Senate Tuesday.
Florida bill would make it a felony for doctors to ask patients if they own guns
Doctors and other medical providers would be barred from asking patients – or the parents of child patients – if they have guns in their home under a measure that promises a major showdown between powerful lobbying groups.
Kids’ coverage could be at risk
Florida Governor Rick Scott and other Republican governors are asking the federal government to give them more power to trim Medicaid eligibility to help control costs.
Florida Senate committee approves growth law fix
A Senate panel today approved a fix for a 2009 law loosening state planning requirements and controls on urban sprawl that a judge has ruled unconstitutional.
Florida Governor Scott’s got a deal — and promises to work with Senate
Governor Rick Scott joined the Senate Republican caucus for appetizers Tuesday night a block from the Capitol, hinting that he would soon announce that he’d landed his first big business deal, with an out-of-state company poised to begin operations in Florida.
Hundreds of state rules, contracts caught in freeze
Four weeks ago, Governor-elect Rick Scott’s transition office reached out to the top lawyers in state agencies across Florida government to pick their brains about what would happen if the new governor froze contracts and new rules when he took office.
- Florida Governor Scott halts more than $400 million worth of road-building projects across state
- Democrat asks Governor Scott to end road-building freeze
Department of Community Affairs Secretary Billy Buzzett told reporters on Tuesday during his first day on the job that he had been given no specific orders by his boss, Governor Rick Scott, as to the future of the agency.
Governor Rick Scott has made his long-awaited appointees to the Republican Executive Committee, and it’s quite a hodge-podge.
New Democratic Party Boss Rod Smith Shares His Vision With House Democratic Caucus
Florida Democrats look to focus on redistricting and keeping Barack Obama and Bill Nelson in office
Newly elected Chairman Rod Smith of the Florida Democratic Party spoke to the House Democratic caucus on Tuesday to outline his vision of where the party is headed.
Florida’s Sembler, other top GOP fundraising chiefs call for Michael Steele’s ouster
Some of the nation’s top Republican fundraisers, including Mel Sembler of St. Petersburg, are trying to oust the chairman of the national GOP, saying he has mismanaged finances and threatens the party’s chances in the 2012 presidential election.
Casino impact on state revenue touted at Senate hearing
The state Senate committee poised to take up a bill to bring casino gambling to Florida heard a report Tuesday on how 13 other states collected millions of dollars in revenue after opening their doors to traditional Las Vegas-style games.
Senate told building first high-speed rail gives state economic edge
With Governor Rick Scott and Senate President Mike Haridopolos indicating they don’t want to put any state money into a high-speed rail line connecting Tampa to Orlando, the pressure is on private companies to pick up Florida’s $280 million tab for the project.
- State official: Taxpayers won’t be on hook for high-speed rail
- Florida Senate President Haridopolos’ switch could hurt high-speed rail
- Legislators Stress Jobs, Funding for High-Speed Rail Project
Florida panel gets more bleak news on foreclosures
A Senate committee is looking for ways to help slow down Florida’s runaway home foreclosures problem that is hampering the state’s growth and prosperity.
Lake Okeechobee’s declining water level strains South Florida’s water supply
Declining Lake Okeechobee water levels once again threaten to generate water-supply ripple effects that spread throughout South Florida, leaving less water for thirsty crops and lawns as well as an ecosystem trying to rebound from years of abuse.
Lodgings in Broward, Central Florida lead state in 2010 bedbug violations
Travelers brought persistent parasites to state’s most popular destinations
For the Gipson family of Harvey, La., last summer’s trip to the Liki Tiki Village condo resort in Winter Garden is one that they will never forget.
Yes, Unions, Pension Reform is Coming
The Florida AFL-CIO calls contemplated changes to the state’s pension system “radical.” It’s long past time the union started being honest with its members.
Florida Power & Light touts steps for safer plants
Florida Power & Light told federal regulators that it is making strides in improving ‘safety culture’ at Turkey Point and St. Lucie County nuclear plants.
Safety and security concerns have repeatedly cropped up at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant in recent years — snoozing security guards, a disgruntled contractor drilling a hole in a pipe, a senior operator quitting at midnight over concerns about restarting a reactor too quickly, to name a few.
Lawmakers moving to make selling fake pot a real crime
Florida lawmakers have opened a new battle in the drug war, and they’re saying no more Mr. Nice Guy.
Editorial: Grand jury report puts focus on ethics
Let’s get to work on ethics. In one of his first official acts, Governor Rick Scott issued an order imposing a tougher code of ethics on the governor’s office and agencies that report to the governor.
Insurers Offer Options for Mississippi, Alabama Coastal Homeowners
A handful of new insurers have entered the coastal markets of Alabama and Mississippi, offering options to some homeowners.
Insurance agents who support creation of a federal charter for insurance lashed out at the National Conference of Insurance Legislators for being misleading when it told members of Congress that premium taxes would be lost if a federal insurance charter is created.
Regulatory Reform May Catch Insurers by Surprise in 2011
Changes in regulatory reporting for insurers are being debated within the industry and the outcome remains uncertain, but after surveying insurance leaders StoneRiver discovered some surprising opinions from insurers.
Risk and Insurance Management Society concerned about New York Insurance Department proposal
The Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc. expressed initial reservations Tuesday regarding New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to merge the New York State Insurance Department into a combined Department of Financial Regulation.
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