Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, August 31, 2017

Florida Workers’ Comp Premiums Going Down? NCCI Files for 9.6% Decrease

Just under a year since Florida Workers’ Compensation Rates shot up by 14.5 percent, Florida Businesses may get some relief in their Workers’ Comp Premiums.  Insurance Journal’s Amy O’Connor reports.

Two Fired After State Blew Federal FEMA Deadline

The Florida Division of Emergency Management failed to meet a Crucial Federal Deadline that would help Communities pay to fix damage from Hurricane Matthew.  Arek Sarkissian reports for the Tallahassee Democrat.

Nelson, Castor Demand Federal Intervention Into Florida Health Decision Affecting Children

Senator Bill Nelson and Rep. Kathy Castor called on the Federal Government to Intervene into a State Decision that led to 13,000 Special Needs Children being removed from Children’s Medical Services and put into Privately Managed Medicaid Programs.  Alex Leary reports for Tampa Bay Times’ “The Buzz” blog.

Widespread Lobster Thefts Reported From Commercial Traps

Some South Florida Lobster Fishermen are complaining of an “Organized and Orchestrated Effort” to Steal their Valuable Lobsters.   He says he’s seen substantial losses and there aren’t enough Florida Fish and Wildlife Officers to handle the widespread problem.  NBC Miami reports via Crain’s Miami.

Emails Show Sugar’s Influence Over Pollution Rules

A 2007 State Law tasked the District with Writing Regulations that would use Landowners’ Existing Permits to Enforce Limits on how much Algae-Spurring Nitrogen and Phosphorus Farms North, East and West of Lake Okeechobee could Release from their Properties.  Lucas Daprile reports for TCPalm.com.

Inspector General:  Train Contract Awarded Using Separate Procurement Process

Controversy around the Contract to Operate Tri-Rail morphed into a Political Firestorm during the 2017 Session.  Matt Dixon reports for Politico Florida.

Special Session A Non-Starter For GOP

Chances remain about zero that Republican Leaders will be swayed by Calls from the State’s Democratic Congressional Delegation to hold a One-Day Special Session to Replace a Statue of a Confederate General representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol.  THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SunshineStateNews.com.

Rick Scott Wins Death Penalty Legal Battle

The Florida Supreme Court handed Governor Rick Scott a Win over Orange-Osceola State Attorney Aramis Ayala on Thursday, Officially Ruling Scott has the Authority to take away Ayala’s Death Penalty Cases.  Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.

Duke Plan Would End Nuclear Project, Add Solar

Duke Energy Florida on Tuesday began seeking Approval of a Wide-Ranging Settlement Agreement that would eliminate the possibility of Building Nuclear Reactors in Levy County, boost Solar-Energy Projects and help Set Base Electricity Rates for the coming years.

Law’s Ambiguity a Source of Mixed Messages Over Texas Cat Claims Statute

Ambiguity surrounding a Texas Law that goes into Effect on September 1 has Insurance Industry Representatives and Attorneys who represent Insurance Policyholders sending conflicting messages to Insureds who may have suffered Property Damage from Hurricane Harvey.  Stephanie K. Jones reports for Insurance Journal.

·         No, September 1 Isn’t Deadline for Hurricane-Damage Claims Under New Texas Law

·         Insurers Could Dodge Harvey-Related Legal Fights Under Texas Law

PCI:  Extending NFIP For 6 Months Would Help Tackle Harvey Claims

PCI is urging Lawmakers to extend the National Flood Insurance Program for at least Six Months so that the Federal Emergency Management Agency can handle Claims related to Hurricane Harvey before the NFIP undergoes any major changes.

Harvey’s Test:  Businesses Struggle With Flawed Insurance As Floods Multiply

Hurricane will strain a National Flood Insurance Program out of step with needs of Small Businesses in Era of Extreme Weather.  The Wall Street Journal reports.

Experts: Houston’s Drainage-System Shortcomings Worsened Flooding

Rice University Professors and other Experts say Houston has an Obsolete and Under-Regulated Drainage System that contributed to the Magnitude of Flooding this past week.  The Houston Chronicle reports via the PCI SmartBrief.

Harvey, Houston, America, Politics And Building Codes

Federal Budget Hawks want Local Policies that will reduce the cost of disasters, while many State and Local Officials worry about the Lost Tax Revenue that might accompany tighter Restrictions on Development.  Bloomberg’s Christopher Flavelle reports via Insurance Journal.

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