Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, January 20

Jan 20, 2011


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‘A screeching halt’:  Septic tank inspection law delayed

Implementation of the controversial septic tank inspection program will be delayed until July 1.

 

Hollywood approves lease for Margaritaville resort on one of South Florida’s last undeveloped beaches

After more than 50 years in the making, Hollywood signed a century-long deal Wednesday that will transform one of the last undeveloped beaches in South Florida.

 

Federal aid likely, South Miami farmers are told

The record cold weather has created a hardship on farmers and farmworkers in South Miami-Dade County.

 

Major insurance bill would target everything from sinkholes to limits on claims

Florida lawmakers have unveiled a major insurance bill that would make sweeping changes to everything from sinkhole coverage to how much policyholders could get paid after damages to their home.

 

Column:  Insurance tops time bomb of rising bills awaits Floridians

Through these tough economic times, we’ve kept some hefty bills artificially low. The day to pay up is coming soon.

 

Editorial:  No resort in property insurance meltdown

To whom do homeowners turn when Florida’s property insurer of last resort says it will no long cover them.

 

For effort to get smokers to quit, Florida flunks

The American Lung Association gives Florida failing grades in its efforts to prevent tobacco use and to get smokers to kick the habit.

 

Will feds thwart Florida GOP on Medicaid?

With Rick Scott in the governor’s office and new legislative leaders vowing to overhaul Medicaid, a statewide managed-care program has looked like a sure thing.

 

Governor Rick Scott to hold ‘Twitter Town Hall’ Thursday night

Governor Rick Scott goes online Thursday night, beginning at 7 p.m., to answer questions through twitter.com.

     

    Florida Attorney General Bondi to press Feinberg on oil spill payments

    Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wednesday her office will start pressing BP Oil and federal claims administrator Ken Feinberg to expedite payments to Florida businesses affected by the Deepwater Horizon spill last summer.

       

      Scott, Cabinet Look at Agency Mergers to Cut Costs

      State agencies scrutinized for budget reductions

      Governor Rick Scott met formally with his Cabinet for the first time Wednesday, and all members appear intent on finding ways to cut spending by merging, consolidating or eliminating programs or agencies in their departments.

       

      Governor Scott plans tax cuts

      Despite skepticism by top legislative leaders, Governor Rick Scott said Wednesday he will rally public support and convince lawmakers to dig out of a $3.5-billion revenue hole and cut taxes at the same time.

       

      House Leaders Lay Out Issues for the 2011 Session

      Speaker Dean Cannon and Ron Saunders touch on budget, judicial branch and redistricting

      Speaking in Tallahassee Wednesday, two key leaders of the Florida House offered glimpses into the 2011 session which starts in March.

       

      United States Senator Bill Nelson Talks Politics and Policy in Tallahassee

      Senior U.S. senator, only statewide Democrat left in Florida, said he will seek a third term in 2012

      Three United States senators announced in recent days that they plan to retire in 2012 instead of seeking another term. But Florida Democrat Bill Nelson shows no signs of joining his three colleagues — Kent Conrad, D-N.D., Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.

         

        Florida Businesses Hammered by Jobless Loan

        Florida’s politicians are staying mum, but interest on the state’s $2 billion unemployment-insurance loans continues to mount.

         

        Florida continues to lag in federal grants

        A private budget watchdog group says Florida ranks near the bottom in federal grants and is missing out on billions of dollars.

         

        Latino group cautions Bennett on immigration bill

        A Latino organization warned state Senator Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, on Tuesday that — though he may have good intentions — he is being perceived as racist because of a bill he filed to crack down on illegal immigrants.

         

        Trial set for Sansom, Richburg and Odom, charged with mishandling state funds in local business scheme

        Leon County Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis has ruled against Ray Sansom’s latest request to postpone his criminal trial.

         

        Orlando is cheapest place to open business, report says

        Governor Rick Scott and top legislative leaders spent much of last year talking about the need to make Florida more pro-business, but the state dominates a new report listing the 20 cities with the lowest operating costs and best business climate.

         

        Column:  Breaking Scott’s code on expanded gambling

        Political reporters statewide have been trying to decipher our new governor’s recent messages expressing — or not? — an unexpected new willingness to expanding casino gambling.

         

        Broward, Palm Beach seaports see financial improvements

        Seaports in Broward and Palm Beach counties saw business improve last year on growing cruise traffic and expect even better results this year as freight volumes also pick up, officials said.

         

        Agent Group Sounds Alarm Over Federal Insurance Study

        Congress should refuse to fund a study of insurance regulation that the new Federal Insurance Office is supposed to conduct, an insurance agents’ trade group said.

         

        David Black named director of South Carolina Department of Insurance

        R. David Black, who was Chief executive officer of Liberty Life in Greenville from 2004 to 2010, has been named director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance by Governor Nikki Haley.

         

        Montana bill would bar workers comp for illegal immigrants

        Montana’s House of Representatives has approved legislation that that would ban illegal immigrants from receiving workers compensation benefits.

         

         

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