Capitol to Courthouse Florida Insurance Report – Tuesday, April 25, 2017
Apr 25, 2017
Florida House Assignment of Benefits Reforms Move Closer to Final Vote
The House cleared its version of Assignment of Benefits Reform for a Final Vote Tuesday, defeating an Amendment that would have Frozen Property Insurance Rates and required a Premiums Rollback next summer. Michael Moline reports for FloridaPolitics.com.
Florida’s U.S. 1 Tops List of Deadliest Roads in the Nation, Study Says
Four of the Top Five Deadliest Highways in the Nation are in Florida, according to a study conducted by Geotab, a Canada-Based Global Fleet Management Company. Wayne Roustan reports for the Sun-Sentinel.
Rick Scott Says He Will Sign “Uber Bill”
Governor Rick Scott tweeted on Monday that he will Sign into Law a Bill creating Statewide Regulations for Ride-Booking Companies. FloridaPolitics.com’s Jim Rosica reports.
Water Damage Shuts Down Miami Passport Office
A State Department Spokesman said the Office suffered serious water damage in Sunday’s torrential rains. The Miami Herald’s David J. Neal reports.
Florida Wildfires Draw Attention to Climate Change
The Wildfires burning across the State of Florida this month highlight the increasing danger a Changing Climate poses in the Southern United States for this type of catastrophic event. Gloria Gonzalez reports for Business Insurance.
· Residents in Southwest Florida Evacuated as Brush Fires Spread
Florida Judge Clears Way for Big Cypress Oil Exploration
A Federal Judge cleared the way for a Texas Company to expand Oil Exploration in the Big Cypress National Preserve Monday when he Rejected Environmentalists Claim that the Park Service failed to assess damage to fragile habitat. The Miami Herald’s Jenny Staletovich reports.
The Arctic is Melting and Guess Who Faces More Flooding–That’s Right, South Florida
The Report is particularly ominous for densely populated South Florida, which sits downstream in the ocean’s vast circulatory system. The Miami Herald’s Jenny Staletovich reports.
As Dry Season Persists, Lake Okeechobee is Extremely Low
The lack of rain has caused water shortages in areas like Lehigh Acres — where Homeowners are having to dig deeper or new wells to get access to water — and Cape Coral, where tougher water restrictions just went into effect. Chad Gillis reports for the Ft. Myers News Press.
· House Forever Florida Bill Could Undo Negron Everglades Reservoir Plan
Florida Pension, Health Care Overhauls Advance in Senate
A Senate Committee on Monday narrowly backed a controversial change in the State Pension Plan and Endorsed an Overhaul of the Health Insurance Program for State Employees. THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA’s Lloyd Dunkelberger reports via the Palm Beach Post.
Florida Legislature at Stalemate Over New State Budget
With time running out in this year’s Regular Session, Florida’s Legislative Leaders are at a Stalemate over a New State Budget and are starting to lash out at one another over the breakdown. Gary Fineout reports for the Associated Press.
· As Budget Talks Crash, Corcoran Wants “Continuation” Budget, No New Spending
· House “Standard Operating Budget” Clears Appropriations Committee
· State Budget Deal Struck? Jack Latvala Says, “No,” But…
House Forms First-Ever Legislative Progressive Caucus
More than a dozen Democratic Florida House Members have formed the Progressive Legislative Caucus. FloridaPolitics.com’s Scott Powers reports.a
Confirmation of 4 Florida Agency Heads Going to Senate Floor
The Ethics and Elections Committee on Monday Voted in support of the Confirmations of Jeffrey Bragg as Secretary of Elderly Affairs, Dr. Celeste Philip as Surgeon General, Justin Senior as Secretary of Health Care Administration and Glenn Sutphin as Director of Department of Veterans Affairs. The Associated Press reports via the Tampa Tribune.
Less Poverty, More Prosperity: The Florida Fiscal Cliffs Report
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Less Poverty, More Prosperity: The Florida Fiscal Cliffs Report shows Florida has more than 3.1 Million People living in Poverty, with 944,415 of that Total under the Age of 18.
Aon Report Examines Effects of Hurricane Matthew
Hurricane Matthew caused Economic Losses Estimated at $15 Billion, including Record-Setting Insured Losses of at least $400 Million in the Bahamas, according to an Aon Benfield report via PropertyCasualty360.com and the PCI SmartBrief.
The Insurance Industry’s Game Of Drones
Insurance Companies have shown little signs of adapting rapidly enough to The Rise of Drones, which are fast growing as both Commercial Tools and Recreational Devices, with Liability Issues increasing in step with their popularity. Craig Casazza reports for Forbes.
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