Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Thursday, May 3

Senate sends Citizens’ tweak to House

TALLAHASSEE — The state Senate on Wednesday approved changes to make it easier and cheaper to join the state-run insurance pool that now covers more than 60,000 Southwest Florida policyholders.

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/may/02/senate_sends_citizens_tweak_house/

 

 

Crist still pushing for property-insurance legislation

Gov. Charlie Crist continues to work behind the scenes as property-insurance legislation heads to an uncertain fate in the Florida House.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/CAPITOLNEWS/705030346/1010/NEWS01

 

 

Without dissent, Senate OKs Citizens bill

State senators unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would allow the state-run insurer to expand its operations and freeze its rates through 2008.

These lawmakers — including the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Rudy Garcia of Hialeah — had been expecting easy passage when the House takes up the measure today.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.miamiherald.com/458/story/94589.html

 

 

Lawmakers put off property tax solution until June

Property owners waiting to hear from the Florida Legislature about how much their taxes will be cut will have to hold on at least another month: Battling lawmakers gave up Wednesday on trying to find a solution and will come back in June.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.miamiherald.com/569/story/94603.html

 

 

Special session: What’s next?

When is it? The Florida Senate and House will meet in special session June 12-22 to try to reach an agreement on property tax relief. Senate Minority Leader Steve Geller, D-Cooper City, said it’s possible the full Legislature will convene for the first day and then most members could be sent home until members of key committees and leaders strike a deal.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-ftaxnext03may03,0,5482399.story

 

 

The day in Tallahassee, Wednesday, May 2, 2007

ARGENZIANO FAREWELL

The Senate said goodbye in an hour-long tribute to maverick Republican Nancy Argenziano, who begins her new job at the Public Service Commission on Thursday.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

The Senate took up a plan to spur the development and production of alternative energy in Florida.

BALLOT INITIATIVES

The House voted largely along party lines to pass a bill that would revise the procedures for gathering signatures to place constitutional amendments on the ballot.

CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE

Property insurance rates for the customers of Citizens Property Insurance would be frozen through 2008 under a measure that quickly and quietly passed the Senate.

MENTALLY ILL-JAILS

The Senate approved a bill intended to help those with mental illnesses who end up locked behind bars in local jails without proper treatment.

MARLINS STADIUM

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz has spent a lot of time at the Capitol this week lobbying lawmakers for help in building a new ballpark in South Florida for the Florida Marlins.

HURRICANE SHUTTERS

Many Florida residents with expensive homes would have to get hurricane shutters the next time they do a major home repair under a bill passed by the Senate and sent to the House.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/APN/705021783

 

 

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit From Katrina

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge has dismissed claims against the government in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the families of three people who died in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-katrina-wheelchair-death,0,6913854.story

 

 

Third graders slip in FCAT reading, rise in math

Third graders’ reading scores slipped this year and nearly one out of every five may have to repeat the grade after scoring at the lowest levels of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, according to results the state released Wednesday.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/APN/705021430

 

 

Senate Will Not Consider KidCare Expansion Effort

TALLAHASSEE – In a year when state leaders vowed to make children’s needs a priority, the Florida Senate is blocking efforts to reform and expand the state’s health insurance program for poor children.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.tbo.com/news/politics/MGBBJFXN81F.html

 

 

House to investigate disputed Florida election

A congressional task force voted Wednesday to order a federal investigation into the disputed election in Florida’s 13th Congressional District, a race decided by only 369 votes amid allegations that electronic voting machines failed to count thousands of votes.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/APN/705021497

 

 

Consumer Advocate: Regulate, Not Eliminate, Contingent Commissions

Contingent commissions for agents and brokers should be watched by regulators but these profit-sharing arrangements do not necessarily have to be eliminated, according to a leading insurance consumer advocate.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2007/05/03/79314.htm

 

 

‘Perfect storm’ of debt puts Floridians in bankruptcy

Mortgage woes, higher gas prices and a “perfect storm” of other financial troubles have caused personal bankruptcies to spike in Central Florida so far this year, according to the latest court records.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-mbankruptcy0307may03,0,7404750.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-state

 

 

Argenziano says goodbye

The Senate bid farewell to Sen. Nancy Argenziano Wednesday, fondly recalling the zeal she brought to politics, the commitment she gave to constituents and the cow manure she sent to a lobbyist.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/CAPITOLNEWS/705030342/1010/NEWS01

 

 

Private Mortgage Insurance Has Comeback

NEW YORK (AP) — Private mortgage insurance is making a comeback. Until six or eight months ago, private mortgage insurance was out of favor as people eager to get into the roaring housing market took adjustable-rate mortgages or ”piggyback” loans or some other exotic form of financing.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-On-the-Money.html

 

 

Port tunnel builder is selected

A multinational team of tunnel builders, bankers and engineers on Wednesday won the rights to lead one of the most expensive public works projects in Florida history — a $1 billion tunnel linking the MacArthur Causeway with the Port of Miami.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/94588.html

 

 

Citi to Acquire BISYS for $1.47 Billion; Crump to Get Insurance Group

Financial services outsourcing firm and insurance wholesaler BISYS has agreed to be acquired by global financial giant Citi. Under the deal, Citi would acquire all of the outstanding shares of BISYS in a transaction valued at approximately $1.47 billion.

The complete article can be found at:   http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2007/05/02/79274.htm

 

 

Tougher curbs on amendments?

TALLAHASSEE — Amending the Florida Constitution could be getting harder.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-citizens0307may03,0,3303487.story?coll=orl-news-headlines-state

 

 

G.O.P. Contenders Ponder What to Say About Bush

LOS ANGELES, May 2 — As they gather Thursday night at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for their first debate, the Republican presidential candidates are thrilled at the chance to associate themselves with Reagan. But they may not be able to escape the challenge created for them by the current president.

The complete article can be found at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/03/us/politics/03repubs.html