Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Friday, January 22, 2016
Jan 22, 2016
Florida’s search for new insurance chief a priority for Rick Scott, Cabinet
Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet plan to replace the departing insurance commissioner through a nationwide search, which they hope will be completed long before he leaves office and the start of hurricane season. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via the Orlando Sentinel.
Fitch Rates Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund $1.2 Billion Revenue Bonds AA; Outlook Stable
Fitch Ratings has assigned an AA rating to the following Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund bonds issued by the State Board of Administration Finance Corporation.
Tampa kingpin in roofing scam heads to prison
Carlton Dewayne Dunko pleaded guilty Friday morning to organized fraud in a massive roofing and insurance scam first uncovered by an 8 On Your Side investigation two-and-a-half years ago. Mark Douglas reports for WFLA-TV.
Scott signs bills on water resources, disability education
Governor Rick Scott signed a major overhaul of Florida’s water regulations Thursday, despite objections by environmentalists that the measure was weakened by the influence of agriculture and business interests. William March reports for the Tampa Tribune.
Florida House, Senate to unveil budget next week
The appropriations process will begin officially in one week when the Florida House of Representatives begins discussing details of its budget plan. The Florida Times-Union’s Tia Mitchell reports.
Florida Senate leader kills bill allowing concealed weapons on campus
For the second year in a row, a Senate committee chairman blocked a controversial bill that would allow concealed weapons on college campuses, signaling the legislation’s likely failure again this session. Arek Sarkissian reports for the Tampa Tribune.
Judicial term limits moving through Florida House
A key House committeeThursday approved a measure that would limit Florida Supreme Court justices and appellate-court judges to two full terms in office, putting a proposed constitutional amendment one step shy of the House floor. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Brandon Larrabee reports via SayfieReview.com.
New York Governor Cuomo Nominates Vullo to Head Department of Financial Services
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has nominated Maria Vullo, an attorney and former staffer, as superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services, Insurance Journal reports.
Report offers range of economic loss from vanishing Louisiana coast
Both Louisiana and national economies could lose billions of dollars if land loss continues in coastal Louisiana, according to a recent study by Louisiana State University and the RAND Corporation, Meredith Burns reports for HoumaToday.com.
Texas Supreme Court: Loss-of-Use Damages Allowed in Total Loss Cases
Are loss-of-use damages, such as lost profits, allowed in Texas when an insured has recovered fair market value on a commercial vehicle that is deemed a total loss after an accident? The Texas Supreme Court thinks so, despite an insurer’s argument to the contrary. Stephanie K. Jones reports for Insurance Journal.
New insurance product aimed at California Uber, Lyft-type drivers
Personal taxi-type services like Uber and Lyft have changed the landscape for those working for and using them in some unexpected ways, and related industries are just starting to catch up. Rachel Raskin-Zrihen reports for the Vallejo Times-Herald.
U.S. Labor Department Issues Joint Employer Liability Rules
More U.S. companies could be classified as “joint employers” of workers employed by a staffing agency or contractor and held liable for labor violations tied to those staff, the U.S. Labor Department said in guidance published Wednesday, Insurance Journal reports.
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