Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Monday, May 19

May 19, 2014

 

To go directly to the section of your choice, click on a hyperlink below.  Other hyperlinks to meeting information, bills and news are noted in bold type.

 

 

Daily Florida Insurance-Related Events


There are no events scheduled for today.

 

 

Daily Florida Insurance-Related News

 

Editorial:  Pressure on property insurers

Atwater’s questions lead to overdue rate reductions

When it comes to Florida’s property-insurance rates, what a difference a little pressure from the state’s chief financial officer can make. 

 

FEMA sets up shop in Okaloosa, Walton

While water didn’t actually make it into her home, Ingrid Hoomes said everything around the house flooded – and some parts are still under water.  Lauren Sage Reinlie reports for the Northwest Florida Daily News.

 

Florida Listed In Top States For Dog Bite Claims

Florida is once again among the top 15 states in the nation for dog bite injury claims.  Florida ranked 12th on the list in the U.S. for the number of dog bites with 93 claims in 2013 costing $5.5 million, according to a new report released by State Farm.  CBS NEWS reports.

 

FIU hurricane simulator on display in DC

The “Designing for Disasters” exhibit explores new solutions and historical responses to natural hazards including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, storm surge, flooding, tsunamis and wildfires.  The Associated Press reports via Miami Herald.

 

Costly claims drive up city of St. Pete workers’ comp tab for 2015

City Council members got some unwelcome news about a particular part of the budget recently as Mayor Rick Kriseman outlined his spending plan for next year, reports Kameel Stanley for the Tampa Bay Times.

 

After pill mill crackdown, heroin fills a void

Just as prescription drug abuse appears to be on the wane, Florida – like the rest of the nation – is facing a new addiction crisis: heroin.  Michael Van Sickler reports for the Tampa Bay Times.

 

Florida congressional-redistricting maps go on trial

After two years of legal bickering, Florida’s redrawn congressional maps go on trial today in a case that could plunge the election calendar into chaos.  Aaron Deslatte reports for the Orlando Sentinel.

 

 

Crist reels in donations at $1 a pop, but war chest pales compared to Scott’s

April 30 was a strange day for Democrat Charlie Crist’s gubernatorial campaign. It would have been out-of-the-ordinary for any statewide campaign.  Matt Dixon reports for the Tampa Tribune.

 

Lizbeth Benacquisto draws Republican challenge in SD 30

Florida Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto has drawn a GOP challenge in her re-election bid, as political novice Michael Dreikorn filed to run in Senate District 30, reports SaintPetersblog.com.

 

The latest on the legislative staffing merry-go-round

With a hat-tip to LobbyTools, here is latest on who is on and who is off the legislative staffing merry-go-round, reports SaintPetersblog.com.

 

Decades after conception, Miami has a port tunnel

Directional arrows over the westbound lanes of the PortMiami tunnel shone bright green Friday morning as hundreds of workers put the finishing touches on the $1 billion, under-the-bay facility, reports Alfonso Chardy for the Miami Herald.

 

Insurer Files Climate Change Class Actions; More to Come?

A major insurance company is accusing dozens of localities in Illinois of failing to prepare for severe rains and flooding in lawsuits that are the first in what could be a wave of litigation over who should be liable for the possible costs of climate change.  Mica Rosenberg reports for Reuters via Insurance Journal.

 

Europe Moves Ahead with Self-Driving Cars in Response to Google

Cars could be driving themselves down the world’s streets far sooner than expected, thanks to a change in a global treaty backed by European countries, report Edward Taylor and Ilona Wissenbach report for Reuters via Insurance Journal.

 

 

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