Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Friday, March 03, 2017

 

2017 Florida Insurance Legislation to Watch

The Florida Insurance Market has been a hotbed of controversy over the last year, and many are looking at the Florida State Legislature to alleviate some of the concerns coming from Consumers, Businesses and the Industry itself.  Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.

 

Superyacht Insurance Company Opens Its First U.S. Office in South Florida

The subsidiary of Monaco-based Pastor Group officially launched its Luxury Insurance Services Onlyyacht, Onlyyard and Onlyjet earlier this year at what the branch’s Executive Director calls the “Superyacht Corridor.”  South Florida Business Journal reports.

 

Policyholders Pay For Assignment of Benefit Abuse, Citizens Board Chairman Says

Left unchecked, these challenges will put Home Ownership out of reach for many Floridians.  Citizens Property Insurance Board Chairman Chris Gardner writes in the Sun-Sentinel.

 

Matt Gaetz:  Insurer Transparency Needed in ACA Overhaul

U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz has pledged to push for more Transparency in the costs negotiated between Health Care Providers and Insurance Companies on Patients’ Doctor Visits and Operations.  Joseph Baucum reports for the Pensacola News-Journal.

 

Governor Names Long List of Loyalists to Constitution Revision Commission

Rounding out his List of Appointees to the powerful Constitution Revision Commission Friday, Florida Governor Rick Scott tapped Members of his inner circle and current and former Appointees.  The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

Florida Supreme Court Suspends North Florida Judge For 6 Months

The Court said Thursday that Third Judicial Circuit Judge Andrew Decker will be suspended without pay for six months and undergo a Public Reprimand.  The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.

 

Combative new Florida House speaker vows contentious session

The outcome of this year’s Florida Legislature Session may depend largely on a 51-year-old Firebrand Attorney with a deep conservative streak and a love for cigars and the Band U2.  The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.

·         The Story of Richard Corcoran’s Rise to Power in Tallahassee

·         Here’s How Richard Corcoran Stormed Florida’s Capital and Made Some People Angry

  

Treasure Coast Takes Center Stage in Florida Legislature This Year

Stuart Republican Joe Negron is the powerful Senate President. He’s in a unique position to push for a Reservoir South of Lake Okeechobee, which his Constituents have asked for since last summer’s algae blooms.  Isadora Rangel reports for TCPalm.com.

 

Miami Could Owe Millions After Losing High Court Case Over Cuts to Police Pay and Pensions

The Florida Supreme Court, in a 4 to 1 Decision, quashed a Lower Court Ruling that upheld Miami’s 2010 Declaration of Financial Urgency, a rarely-utilized State Law that allowed Administrators to force open Union Contracts and impose sweeping concessions on Public Employees.   The Miami Herald’s David Smiley reports.

 

Florida Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Largo in Battle Over Taxes With Local Nonprofit

In a Case that had potentially deleterious implications for all Local Governments in Florida, the State Supreme Court Ruled Thursday in favor of the City of Largo in their dispute with a Nonprofit Affordable Housing Developer.  Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.

 

U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan’s Son is Running for the Florida Legislature

Another Republican, Bradenton attorney Will Robinson, also plans to Run for a Seat being vacated by State Representative Jim Boyd, who is unable to seek reelection because of Term Limits.

 

Finally!  Florida Courts System Launches Social Media

From News Released on Twitter to Videos featuring compelling stories on Facebook, from Job Postings and Court Education Information on LinkedIn to Photos of Historic Courthouses on Instagram, the Social Media Accounts will provide content about the work of the Office of State Courts Administrator, as well as District and Circuit Courts around Florida.  SunshineStateNews.com Publisher Nancy Smith reports.

 

Texas Businesses Line Up Against Lt. Governor’s High-Priority Insurance Bill

Major Business Interests are lining up against one of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s top priorities — a Bill that would make it harder for Texans to force their Insurance Companies to pay up when calamity strikes.  The Texas Tribune’s Jay Root reports via Insurance Journal.

 

 

 

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