Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Thursday, October 26, 2017
Oct 26, 2017
Florida’s cost for deadly hurricane keeps going up
The tab for Hurricane Irma keeps rising, and Florida legislators are warning that it could require some tough budget choices for next year. The Associated Press reports via the Palm Beach Post.
- Storm recovery increases state budget gap
- Governor Scott’s office expects federal reimbursement for Maria relief
- Florida Senate committee looks at increased spending for Puerto Rico evacuee aid
Florida Insurance Agents Recount Hurricane Irma’s Personal Impact
It’s been just over a month since Hurricane Irma hit Florida, and it won’t be forgotten in Florida by anyone anytime soon, especially not those in the insurance industry. Amy O’Connor reports for Insurance Journal.
Florida must prepare for sea-level rise
By 2075, scientists project that seas will rise about 1½ feet from where they are now. The mid-range projection is more than 2½ feet. And the high projection is a 3½ -foot rise, Florida Trend Publisher Andrew Corty remarks.
Sean Shaw for Attorney General?
With the midterm elections thirteen months away, some Florida Democrats are worried about the lack of a bold name candidate running for one of the most high-profile positions in state government. Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
New standards add Florida pharmacies in Medicaid
To address “concerns and issues” with Florida pharmacy networks, Medicaid officials have reduced maximum times and distances that patients can be forced to drive for prescriptions, members of the House Health Innovation Subcommittee were told yesterday. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Christine Sexton reports via News4Jax.com.
Lawmakers eye treatment programs in opioid battle
A combination of short-term intensive treatment beds, long-term outpatient services and medically assisted treatment could be the blueprint for a solution to the opioid epidemic gripping the state, a powerful Senate chairwoman said Wednesday. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Dara Kam reports via News4Jax.com.
Regulators sign off on Duke Energy deal
State regulators Wednesday approved a wide-ranging settlement agreement that ends the possibility Duke Energy Florida will build a nuclear-power plant in Levy County and helps nail down base electric rates through 2021. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Jim Saunders reports via the Ocala Star-Banner.
With a few hiccups, Florida online voter registration up and running
Two years after the Florida Legislature approved allowing Floridians online voter registration, registertovoteflorida.gov went live October 1, Mitch Perry reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
State Representative Gayle Harrell to seek Negron’s seat
Harrell was first elected to the Florida House in 2008. She served eight years in office until she faced term limits. She ran for the House again in 2010. Her current term ends in 2018. Ali Schmitz reports for TCPalm.com.
Citrus imports playing bigger role in Florida
Oranges imported to Florida – primarily from Brazil and Mexico – are projected to surpass what is grown in the hurricane-damaged Sunshine State this season, Florida Trend reports.
Insurers and reinsurers count the costs of recent hurricanes, quakes
Reuters posted updated statements from insurers and reinsurers in the wake of recent catastrophes.
Want more private flood insurers? Increase federal rates
Florida is one of the only places in the nation where homeowners can obtain private flood insurance, rather than going through the National Flood Insurance Program. Ryan Smith reports for Insurance Business.
$65M of Unpaid Taxes by New Mexico Insurance Companies, Audit Shows
A long list of insurance companies failed to pay taxes on insurance premiums of nearly $65 million to the state of New Mexico since 2003, according to an independent audit released Tuesday that could weigh in ongoing legal proceedings against a major health insurance provider. The Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal.
Click here to follow Colodny Fass on Twitter (@ColodnyFassLaw)
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to news@colodnyfass.com.