Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, June 11
Jun 11, 2009
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Floridians losing freedom of choice
Florida has a bigger problem than State Farm withdrawing from the property insurance market.
Blog: Black caucus urges Crist to sign ‘consumer choice’ insurance rate bill
The latest group to weigh in on legislation deregulating large property insurers’ premium rates: the 26-member Florida Legislative Black Caucus.
Blog: Hispanic chamber wants Crist to sign insurance rate dereg bill
Another day, another group weighing in on the bill that would deregulate large property insurance companies’ rates — and perhaps entice State Farm to keep writing policies for Florida homeowners.
Editorial: Congress should pass Rep. Klein’s national catastrophe bill
The last time that Congress had a chance to pass a consumer-friendly law strengthening insurance for natural disasters, lawmakers blew it.
Florida chamber touts workers’ comp reform
While state legislators got about one in 10 proposed bills approved in the recent session, business leaders praised them for the work they were able to accomplish.
Hurricane experts recommend radios over nondigital portable TVs
Miami-Dade County’s Office of Emergency Management has this simple advice for how to deal with the digital television switch during hurricane season: Get a radio.
New law allows out-of-network doctors to be paid directly by insurance companies
A bill requiring insurance companies to send payments directly to out-of-network doctors instead of to patients was signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Charlie Crist, capping off a heated battle between doctors and consumer groups and between two of the state’s major insurance companies.
Miami Commission passes domestic partner ordinance
Following in the footsteps of Miami-Dade County and other cities across the nation, Miami commissioners Thursday unanimously passed a domestic partnership ordinance giving employees with same-sex or opposite-sex partners the same rights and benefits as married couples.
Stimulus money making its way into Florida, agency officials say
Federal dollars are flowing into the state and helping Floridians cope with the worst economic times in recent memory, Gov. Charlie Crist heard on Wednesday as agency heads updated him on stimulus efforts.
Blog: SBA withdraws budget request after Sink makes displeasure clear
You’d think, given some of the not-so-glowing chronicles lately about the SBA’s management practices, that the SBA would not want to draw attention to itself by, say, asking for a nearly 11 percent budget increase.
Editorial: Public left in dark on Florida finances
At least 130 times in recent years, the Florida State Board of Administration has signed auxiliary agreements with private firms that were investing billions of dollars for the state and for local governments
Bill blocks campaign use of public funds
Gov. Charlie Crist signed a bill Wednesday that will block local governments from using public money to help pay for political campaigns — a measure stemming in part from a fight about Volusia County charter amendments in 2006.
Contractors got $44 million in failed SunRail deal
Florida lawmakers this spring voted to kill Central Florida’s planned commuter-rail system, but state contractors still made almost $44 million on the proposal.
Sen. King’s recovery going ‘very well’
State Sen. Jim King remains in the intensive-care unit but is recovering “very well” after undergoing surgery last week to remove a cancerous tumor from his pancreas, Senate President Jeff Atwater wrote in a memo Wednesday.
U.S. Rep. Kanjorski to Conduct Hearing on Systemic Risk and Insurance
Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (D-PA), Chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, today announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing to further explore how to improve oversight of the insurance industry in order to protect insurance consumers from risks in the system and prevent insurance companies from posing a systemic risk and threatening the American financial system.
GOP Finance Rules Plan Mostly Ignores Insurance, Except For AIG
A House Republican financial regulation plan, due to be unveiled tomorrow, would require congressional authorization for aid to troubled non-banks such as American International Group but would not disturb state insurance regulation.
Katrina Wind vs. Water Insurance Case Before Mississippi Supreme Court
A Texas-based insurer should not have to pay for hurricane damages to a Mississippi home caused by a combination of wind and water, company attorneys told the Mississippi Supreme Court this week.
Nationwide Exits North Carolina Mobile, Renters, Condo, Dwelling Markets
Citing concerns over the potential for property losses due to storms, Nationwide Insurance is exiting the mobile home insurance policy market in North Carolina, phasing out existing mobile home policies from Oct. 3, 2009 through Oct. 2, 2010 and halting the writing of any new mobile home policies.
Most Big Insurers Plan Growth Overseas, Survey Finds
A majority of large insurers in a survey said they are planning to expand internationally within the next 12 months despite the ongoing economic turmoil.
Fitch Updates U.S. Property/Casualty Market 2009 Forecast
The U.S. property/casualty insurance market experienced a sharp decline in performance in 2008 and faces significant challenges in 2009.
Comp Claim Billing Review Flaws May Cost Firms Millions, Says Study
A lack of electronic integration between firms performing workers’ compensation bill review and medical management operations may be costing businesses millions, a consultant said.
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