Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, January 13

Jan 13, 2011

 

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Citizens Grows to 1.3 Million Policies

Florida’s state run Citizens Property Insurance is flooded with new customers adding an increased risk to all Floridians. The state run insurer now has 1.3 million customers, up 200-thousand customers from a year ago.


Sarasota Congressman Buchanan urges drywall dialogue

A local congressman is again urging President Barack Obama to bring up corrosive imported drywall while meeting with Chinese leaders.

 

Florida Legislation Leads to New Mold Licensing Requirements

Providers of mold remediation services in Florida face new licensing requirements, as the state has implemented legislation aimed at protecting citizens from unscrupulous business practices.

 

Florida’s Brown & Brown buys Nies Insurance

A subsidiary of Brown & Brown Inc. acquired substantially all the assets of Nies Insurance Agency Inc.

 

Florida Governor Scott impressed with Florida’s readiness for hurricanes

Governor Rick Scott toured the state’s Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday and came away impressed with Florida’s readiness for hurricanes and other disasters.

 

Florida Senators slap Department of Health on delays

The Florida Department of Health took a verbal bashing Tuesday from two Republican senators, who said the agency was too slow in carrying out laws aimed at curbing the state’s notorious pill mills — though lawmakers and Governor Rick Scott have added to the delays.

 

Florida Senator Negron explains why Medicaid is a target for budget savings

The chairman of the panel overseeing the Florida Senate’s Medicaid reform efforts said Wednesday that one of his goals will be to free up more funding for other areas of the state budget, like education, which could face cuts as lawmakers prepare to tackle a shortfall that could exceed $3 billion.

 

Florida Medical Association calls on Scott to limit lawsuits against doctors

The Florida Medical Association hand delivered a letter on Wednesday to Governor Rick Scott outlining the organization’s intent to champion limits on lawsuits while pitching the efforts as economic development.

 

Florida’s Budget Hole Deepens to $3.62 Billion

Florida’s budget deficit got a little larger Wednesday, with a state economist adjusting previous projections up slightly to $3.62 billion. And it could get larger still.

 

Florida Attorney General Bondi asks court to dismiss anti-Amendment 6 lawsuit

The office of Attorney General Pam Bondi yesterday asked the U.S. District Court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging Amendment 6, one of two so-called “Fair Districts” amendments that limit the legislature’s ability to gerrymander districts, saying the court lacks jurisdiction in the case.

 

Republicans and Democrats battle over lawsuits against federal government

Emotions began to run high during the first-ever meeting of the House Federal Affairs Subcommittee on Wednesday, as a line was clearly drawn between Democrats and Republicans over state lawsuits against federal health care reform and new water standards imposed on Florida.

 

Confusion continues over review of state agency rules

Florida politicians’ campaign theme of reining in government regulation has produced a host of unintended consequences in the Capitol, raising questions about when elected officials will act on rules that enable government agencies to do their jobs.

 

Florida Senators grill officials about $49-million District Court of Appeal

Anger boiled and lawmakers left dissatisfied with the answers they got Wednesday as senators grilled judges and state officials about the $49 million 1st District Court of Appeal building in Tallahassee.

     

    Report:  Levee near Everglades not up to scratch

    The levee separating the Everglades from western communities is ‘minimally acceptable,’ according to an engineering assessment, and needs repairs.

    Fixing the levee that keeps the Everglades from flooding South Florida communities could cost more and

    take longer than expected, the South Florida Water Management District revealed Wednesday.

     

    Senate President Haridopolos open to high-speed rail if private sector antes up

    Florida’s Senate president indicated Wednesday that the state’s high-speed rail project could move forward — if the business sector provides the $280 million required for a federal match of $2.4 billion.

     

    More anonymous e-mail attacks surface in GOP chairmanship fight

    You’d think Florida Republicans would be a huggy and happy bunch these days, having just swept November’s elections.

     

    Critics Wager Against Florida Casino Expansion

    As politicians talk up the possibilities, skeptics say more gaming would be a bust for state

    Several Las Vegas casino companies are said to be angling to build destination resorts in the Sunshine State. And they have a politically connected player doing the spade work in South Florida.

     

    Blog:  Alcee Hastings has no plan to retire, says he’ll seek re-election

    U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, plans to run for re-election.

     

    Pension Reform Debate a Fight Over Facts

    Senator Jeremy Ring:  Bill at least a month away

    Senator Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, said Wednesday he is waiting for facts before he begins crafting legislation on pension reform — but in the debate so far, both sides claim they have “facts” on their side.

     

    Now a Florida Resident, Mike Huckabee Leads 2012 GOP Pack in Iowa

    Ex-Arkansas governor beating Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich by double digits

    Public Policy Polling, a firm with connections to national Democrats, released a new poll Tuesday that showed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who moved to the Sunshine State last year, is the favorite to win the Iowa caucus if he decides to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012.

     

    Risk Management Solution’s Catastrophe Model Revision May Cause Homeowners Rate Shift

    The planned revisions of a catastrophe model could cause interesting changes to the way the industry prices its property insurance, according to executives at the Property and Casualty Insurance Joint Industry Forum in New York City.

     

    Workplace discrimination charges set record:  Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

    A record 99,922 private-sector workplace discrimination charges were filed with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission during fiscal 2010, the agency said Tuesday.

     

    Lawsuit Seeks to Halt New Orleans Levee Work

    A lawsuit is threatening to slow down or even halt work to strengthen a New Orleans canal that broke catastrophically during Hurricane Katrina.

     

    Moody’s continues negative outlook on commercial insurance market

    Weak pricing and limited demand has led Moody’s Investors Service to continue a negative outlook for the commercial lines insurance sector in the United States.

     


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