Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report–Thursday, October 23, 2014

Oct 23, 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

 

Jeff Atwater Unveils Ad Highlighting Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights

Florida CFO Jeff Atwater continues to stay positive, focusing on his record, in his ads as he runs against Democrat William Rankin.  In his latest ad, which was unveiled on Wednesday, Atwater plays up his consumer advocate credentials, specifically his handling of the Homeowner Claims Bill of Rights.  Allison Nielsen reports for SunshineStateNews.com.

 

State helps combat flooding in Fort Lauderdale’s isle communities

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced a grant Wednesday that will be used for stormwater and flood control in the Las Olas Isles, Venice Isle and Rio Vista neighborhoods, Larry Barszewski reports for the Sun-Sentinel.

 

Behind “Two Florida” proposal is real concern over climate change

The reason South Miami Vice Mayor Walter Harris proposed breaking Florida into two – rising sea levels – might have gotten drowned out in the wave of social media attention his proposal got.  Maryann Batlle reports on Scripps “Political Fix Florida” blog.

 

What Happens When There’s No Insurance for Your Beach House?

Many states like Florida are already dealing with a distinct reluctance of private insurance companies to touch their risky beachside property.  It’s not just rising insurance bills; it’s a world in which the state is forced to serve as insurer of last resort, whether or not they can actually afford to pay the price tag for rebuilding whenever it comes due.  Hamilton Nolan reports for Gawker.com.

 

Construction workers in short supply in Florida, nationwide

Contractors are having difficulty finding craft workers such as carpenters and electricians, now that the industry is recovering from the downturn, the Associated General Contractors of America said Wednesday in a new report. Marcia Heroux Pounds reports for the Sun Sentinel.

 

Push aims to get driver’s licenses for immigrants who are undocumented

Advocacy groups are now collecting signatures across Florida, pushing for new rules that would allow immigrants who are undocumented to apply for a driver’s license, Maria Perez reports on Scripps “Political Fix Florida” blog.

 

Florida hospitals battle state over emergency care for undocumented immigrants

A coalition of Florida hospitals is challenging a state policy on emergency care for undocumented immigrants, the Miami Herald’s Kathleen McGrory reports on the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

Could Charlie Crist have expanded Medicaid in Florida when he was Governor?

The Scott campaign has said that Charlie Crist could have addressed Medicaid expansion in a special session when the Affordable Care Act was passed.  But that’s impractical, explains Politifact, which rates the claim as “Mostly False.”

 

Scott says he will write his campaign a personal check, after all, but won’t say how much

With less than two weeks before Election Day, Governor Rick Scott acknowledged Wednesday that he will write a personal check to the Republican Party of Florida to fund his campaign.  The Miami Herald’s Mary Ellen Klas reports via the “Naked Politics” blog.

 

Bill Gates gobbling up Florida farmland

The investment company that manages the wealth of the world’s richest man, Bill Gates, has been acquiring gobs of farmland in north Florida the past two years, real estate records show.  Amber Vann reports for the Commerce Journal.

 

Climate Change Report Slams Insurers for Lack of Preparedness

A report on the insurance industry released Wednesday shows “a profound lack of preparedness in addressing climate-related risks and opportunities,” Don Jergler reports for Insurance Journal.

 

North Carolina Opens Hearing on Homeowners Rate Hike

North Carolina’s insurance commissioner began deciding whether to allow homeowners’ coverage costs to rise by as much as 35 percent even as some insurers demand even higher rates in agreements with customers, Emery P. Dalesio reports for Insurance Journal.

 

 

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