Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Tuesday, May 6

May 6, 2008

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Insurers not Impressed with Florida’s Revamped Insurance Package

While many Florida lawmakers claim to be opposed to gambling, they don’t mind taking a chance on Mother Nature.

Lawmakers Adjust Hurricane Program

Improving the My Safe Florida Home program may take time, lawmakers said Friday, after unanimously passing legislation to further tweak the state’s hurricane inspection and home improvement program.

Filling Coastal Zones With People Complicates Hurricane Evacuation

The space and weather agency lists Hillsborough County among the top 10 areas in the South in the amount of visible new development.

EDITORIAL: Legislature 2008

The biggest impact from the session just ended, undoubtedly, will come from nearly $7 billion in budget cutting.

DFS Investigating State Farm Agents

The state Department of Financial Services is investigating efforts by State Farm agents to pressure former policyholders — those dropped by State Farm — into buying from state-run Citizens Property Insurance Co. Consumers who had found insurance with new private companies received scary letters from State Farm agents warning that those outfits have terrible ratings.

Collier officials awash with information at flood map meeting

In the event of a flood, having a nearby basin capable of holding water might seem illogical.

Aid for the uninsured, as well as the autistic

Florida lawmakers ended the 2008 Legislative session by approving what supporters called one of the biggest expansions of health care coverage in recent years.

COLUMN: Credit the local politicians when it’s their due

I’d managed to zap all seven Brevard County representatives and senators over legislation I thought was bad for all of us.

Commuter rail far from dead, Mica and Dyer vow

Central Florida commuter-rail supporters are preparing to spend as much as $52million in the next year to keep their plan on track, despite the Legislature’s rejection of the deal last week.

EDITORIAL: Ban on genetic bias brings law into age

There are times when the law has to catch up with science, and on Thursday Congress took a step in that direction.

Feds probe state securities linked to subprime fiasco

State investments downgraded during the subprime mortgage meltdown have been targeted in a federal probe.

COLUMN: Discounts, higher deductibles help drivers cut auto premiums

Boosting deductibles and shopping around are two ways consumers can save money on automobile insurance, writes Sandra Block in USA TODAY.

Bob Passmore of the Property Casualty Insurers Association also noted that low-mileage discounts will also lower your rates.

A Different Perspective on Payment of Profit and Overhead When Insureds Do Repairs

In a typical property loss situation the insured’s personal dwelling sustains damage.

Alabama Coastal Insurance Bill Opposed by Alfa Passes in Senate

Legislation aimed at expanding insurance pool coverage for coastal residents in Alabama and opposed by insurance giant Alfa passed in the state Senate after appearing to be doomed.

Ohio Agency Reviews Court Decision Affecting Thousands of Workers

The state insurance fund for injured workers is trying to figure out the impact of a court ruling that in theory could allow hundreds of thousands of previously settled injured workers claims to be reopened.

COLUMN: Insurance should take care of dog-bite bills

Q: Our dog recently bit a friend of our children’s who was visiting our home.

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