Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, July 23
Jul 23, 2010
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Tampa Condo Sinkhole: Will be at least several weeks, maybe longer before anyone moves back in
Despite numerous attempts to fill it, the massive sinkhole that swallowed a car at a Tampa condo complex continues to sink.
Election Could Change Property Market
Candidates Refuse to Back Deregulation
The fate of Florida’s fragile property insurance market may depend heavily on what happens in the next round of elections in the Sunshine State.
It is troubling to read how Floridians are having to choose between paying higher insurance premiums or moving out of Florida (“Homeowners hit with higher insurance premiums,” July 9).
Payment dispute pits Florida Hospital against UnitedHealthcare
Florida Hospital and UnitedHealthcare may sever their decade-long relationship on Aug. 15, when their current contract is set to expire.
With a stroke of his pen, Gov. Charlie Crist just accomplished what lawmakers refused to do earlier this year – give long-time jobless Floridians the ability to get extended unemployment compensation benefits approved by Congress yesterday.
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Circuit Court Tosses Amendment 3
A Tallahassee circuit judge on Friday threw out a proposed constitutional amendment he said could mislead property owners who wouldn’t be eligible for the benefits that seem to be promised by the proposal.
Judge rejects state motion on Amendment 9 wording change
A judge says the state cannot place just the text of a health care amendment before voters without the ballot summary.
Blog: Florida Education Association suing to block class-size amendment
The Florida Education Association today filed a lawsuit seeking to keep a vote on the state’s class-size amendment off the November ballot.
Blog: Florida Chamber files complaint against Hometown Democracy
The Florida Chamber of Commerce filed a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission against Florida Hometown Democracy Inc., the Political Action Committee sponsoring Amendment 4.
US Chamber of Commerce to endorse Republican candidate Rubio in Florida’s US Senate race
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is backing Marco Rubio’s bid for the Senate, pledging to help the tea party-favored candidate emerge from a tight three-way race in Florida.
Blog: Scott won’t take salary as governor
Talking to a Jacksonville radio WOKV this morning, GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott pledged to not take a salary if elected governor.
U.S. Representative Kathy Castor: End Cuba travel curbs
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, is signing onto a bill that would lift decades-old travel restrictions to Cuba, becoming the first member from Florida to do so. Her goal: To secure charter flights from Tampa International Airport and spur activity at the Port of Tampa.
PSC staff: FPL’s base rate hike should have been higher
Regulators will vote next month on new amount
State regulators say that Florida Power & Light should have received $117 million instead of the $75 million base rate hike approved in January.
Florida may lose billions in tourism from oil spill
Travel industry makes case for $500 million emergency oil-spill fund
The nation’s biggest travel trade group said Thursday the BP PLC oil spill will cost the Gulf region’s tourism industry between $7.6 billion and $22.7 billion, with most of the economic damage falling on Florida’s shoulders.
The Wall Street Journal: Opinion — Let’s Stop Pretending Charlie Crist Isn’t a Democrat
The Florida Republican-turned-independent is becoming the Democratic de facto nominee
Harry Reid is trying to quell the latest maelstrom stirred up by Florida Governor Charlie Crist. The Republican-turned-independent, in comments to The Wall Street Journal, let a long-rumored cat out of the bag when he suggested Mr. Reid had spoken with him about caucusing with Democrats if Mr. Crist wins his bid for a Florida Senate seat.
Bill To Add Wind To National Flood Insurance Program Pulled From House Floor Before Vote
The House leadership pulled a bill off of the floor before a vote could be taken on legislation that would add windstorm coverage to the National Flood Insurance Program.
Louisiana Citizens Enacts Binding Restrictions in Advance of Tropical Storm Bonnie
The Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has announced that as a result of Tropical Storm Bonnie, personal lines binding restrictions are in effect.
Institute for Business & Home Safety Releases Hurricane Roof Performance Research Study
The Institute for Business & Home Safety today released its latest research study, “Surviving Nature’s Fury: Performance of Asphalt Shingle Roofs in the Real World,” which investigated damage from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008.
A.M. Best Comments on Impact of Dodd-Frank Act on Rating Agencies
The recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act has specific provisions applicable to rating agencies.
Blog: Are insurance parts of the financial reform law good for consumers or companies?
The financial reform package signed by President Barack Obama Wednesday doesn’t do much for property insurance policyholders on the face of it.
Agents, USDA’s Risk Management Agency Spar Over Cap On Crop Insurance Commissions
Agents and underwriters sparred with Agriculture Department (USDA) representatives over agent commission caps put forth as part of the mandated cuts to the federal crop insurance program at a House subcommittee hearing.
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