Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Friday, June 12

Jun 12, 2009

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Gov. Crist Signs Florida Surplus Lines Regulation Bill

Legislation intended to clarify the regulation of the surplus lines insurance industry in Florida has been signed into law by Gov. Charlie Crist.

 

Crist Holds Key to Fixing Florida’s Broken Insurance System

Whether or not Florida’s insurance system gets on the road to recovery is now a question only Governor Charlie Crist, who on Friday received House Bill 1171 addressing the insurance issue, can answer.

 

In rising Chinese drywall tide, Florida insurers invoke ‘pollution’ exclusions

The trauma of tainted Chinese drywall is moving rapidly forward. After causing a stir among federal legislators in recent months, the drywall controversy now is the hot topic among lawyers and insurance companies.

 

AIF lobbies governor to sign crash-fee bill

Saving lives should not be a revenue opportunity. I was shocked to read this week’s continued coverage of the Tallahassee Fire Department’s push to collect fees from victims of automobile accidents.

 

Seminoles balk at Florida’s new casino legislation

All bets are off. The Seminole Tribe is not likely to approve a gambling deal under terms set by the Florida Legislature, the tribe’s attorney said Thursday, citing provisions that could increase costs and competition.

 

New Florida unemployment insurance claims drop

Once again, Florida is a leader on the job front, but this time it’s good news.

 

Fla. justices agree to expedite Hometown Democracy initiative ruling

The Florida Supreme Court has agreed to expedite a decision in a case affecting a petition drive for a ballot proposal that would give voters a say in the development of their communities.

 

Crist will leave behind big unfinished agenda

Charlie Crist was inaugurated governor in 2007 pledging to lower property taxes and insurance rates and proclaiming Florida’s “best days are not behind us, but before us.”

 

Column: Cabinet catches fiscal responsibility

With every seat up for grabs in 2010, and two of its members running against each other for governor, the biweekly campaign events (officially, the Cabinet meetings) promise high entertainment value. A focal point of all the races – including Gov. Charlie Crist’s run for the U.S. Senate – will be the Florida State Board of Administration.

 

Bill Galvano to seek Bennett Senate seat

State Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, announced today that he will run for the state senate rather than for the post of state attorney general, which he had said he was considering.

 

Winter Park commissioner to challenge U.S. Rep. Kosmas

Winter Park City Commissioner Karen Diebel filed with the Federal Election Commission on Tuesday to challenge freshman Democratic Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas in Florida’s 24th Congressional District.

 

Pinellas School Board’s Nina Hayden to run for state Senate

Less than seven months after joining the Pinellas County School Board, Nina Hayden said Thursday she’s running for the state Senate.

 

McCollum Disputes Voter Poll

The 2010 election is still 18 months away, but polls are picking leaders and candidates are already disputing the results.

 

Recession hits Sarasota congressman in the wallet

Being one of Congress’ richest members didn’t insulate Rep. Vern Buchanan from last year’s economic collapse, according to recently released financial disclosure reports.

 

Water managers hand off permitting duties, despite environmental concerns

Fighting water permits needed for new development and agriculture could soon get harder for South Florida residents worried about strained water supplies.

 

Editorial: Veto bad water management bill

An awful bill that would strip Florida’s five water management district governing boards of all water permitting authority and put it exclusively in the hands of the executive director of each district remains in limbo more than a month after being passed unanimously in both houses of the Legislature.

 

NASA worried about program future

With new leadership poised to take command of NASA, the next few months could be pivotal to the jobs of thousands of space program employees and contractors who depend on NASA for their livelihoods.

 

House Subcommittee to Examine Federal Role in Insurance Regulation

The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises will hold a hearing to explore oversight of the insurance industry on June 16.

 

Calls Resume for Single Banking Regulator

Plan Shelved by Broad Criticism Is Pushed Back Onto the Table by Lawmakers

The Obama administration is facing new pressure from key Democratic and Republican lawmakers to centralize banking oversight in a single regulator, a proposal the White House had seriously considered before shelving it as widespread opposition grew.

 

South Carolina Governor, State and Local Planners to Address Hurricane Plan

Governor Mark Sanford and state emergency preparedness and response personnel will travel to Horry, Charleston and Beaufort counties Monday, joining local emergency planners to discuss South Carolina’s preparedness as we head into the 2009 storm season.

 

NAIC Panels Set Agendas

A National Association of Insurance Commissioners working group has tried to decide which state producer licensing requirements are consistent with efforts to make the requirements more uniform.

 

How Actuaries Help P/C Insurers Navigate Uncertain Markets

Property/casualty insurers and reinsurers rely more than ever on the expertise of actuaries at a point in the cycle when the market is neither softening nor hardening, attendees at the CAS Seminar on Reinsurance were told in a wide-ranging panel discussion on “The State of the Market.”

 

Who is responsible when a tree falls on a home?

Trees may or may not fall silently in a forest, but trees that fall from one yard to another can cause plenty of noise. When these situations arise, homeowners don’t always know who is liable for the damage.

 

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