Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report: Thursday, February, 04, 2016
Feb 4, 2016
Florida Governor declares Zika emergency
Governor Rick Scott declared a health emergency in four Florida counties Wednesday after at least nine cases of the mosquito-borne Zika illness were detected, the Associated Press’Tamara Lush and Gary Fineout report via the Tampa Tribune.
Florida House, Senate Approve Competing Budget Plans
With arguments over everything from abortion to after-school programs, the House and Senate budget-writing committees approved competing spending plans for the year that begins July 1, setting up the endgame for the legislative session, the Palm Beach Post reports.
- Budget bills presage fight over Planned Parenthood funding
- Negron’s Lake O emergency measure splits Senate budget leaders
House backs gun bills, but “trouble” ahead in Senate
After more than three hours of debate — with most Republicans in favor and nearly all Democrats opposed — the House approved a pair of controversial gun-related measures Wednesday that may never reach the Senate floor. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Turner reports via SayfieReview.com.
The Senate’s budget chief, Senator Tom Lee, said Wednesday he is putting the bill to prevent local governments from imposing regulations on fracking for oil and gas on hold until the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, which he believes has been absent form the contentious discussion, is prepared to provide some “honest answers.” The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Federal court orders full court hearing in challenge to 2011 “docs v. Glocks” law
As the Florida House debated two measures to expand Florida’s gun laws on Wednesday, a federal appeals court vacated a ruling that upheld a controversial 2011 Florida law restricting doctors from asking questions and recording information about patients’ gun ownership. The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.
Orlando, Winter Park unveil new car-share program
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, along with officials for Winter Park and the Florida Department of Transportation, on Wednesday hailed the opening of several Zipcar car-share stations, which are now open for short-term rentals. Orlando Sentinel’s Jeff Weiner reports.
Court grapples with citrus canker “taking” payments
In a debate centering on whether legislative approval is needed, an appeals court next week will hear arguments in a battle about payments in a class-action lawsuit about the state’s removal of tens of thousands of citrus trees in Broward County. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via SayfieReview.com.
Florida added nearly 29,000 new real estate agents in 2015, the most in nine years
Florida might have a short supply of homes for sale, but there’s no shortage of people hoping to sell them. The Tampa Bay Times’ Susan Taylor Martin reports.
Oklahoma Files Suit Against Directors, Officers of Failed Insurer, Red Rock
Oklahoma insurance regulators have filed suit against two New York financiers who took control of a failed Oklahoma insurance company, saying the pair and others infused it with allegedly worthless assets and used it as a vehicle in which to enrich themselves. Insurance Journal’s Stephanie K. Jones reports.
Texas Governor Announces Appointments to State Risk Management Board
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Gerald Ladner, Sr. and reappointed Rosemary Gammon for terms set to expire on February 1, 2021, to the board of the State Office of Risk Management. Dr. Lloyd Garland was named as presiding officer, Insurance Journal reports.
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