Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, Jan. 23
Jan 23, 2008
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Insurance officials defend rates
As state senators on Tuesday began their inquiry on why expected insurance rate cuts mandated by a new law haven’t materialized, industry officials disputed the methodology used to base these expectations.
Official: Fla. doing well for insurance companies
A nationally known consumer advocate told state senators Tuesday that Florida is far from being the money-losing “hellhole” that he said insurance companies like to complain about when raising their rates for homeowners.
Special panel to review issues with property insurers
The insurance industry should not be allowed to thumb their nose at regulators and lawmakers, an expert told a Senate panel Tuesday.
SBA holds steady amid market shifts
Florida’s largest stock market investor, the State Board of Administration, apparently remained unruffled as the events of the past two days unfolded on Wall Street and around the world, despite the agency’s multi-billion dollar stake in U.S. and global markets.
Bill Revising Some Flood Risks Due For Vote
Legislation that would require some homeowners whose houses are valued at more than $600,000 to pay actuarially-based rates for government flood insurance is set for a vote on the House floor tomorrow.
Fla. storm insurance crisis proves vicious cycle
‘We have a message for the people of Florida today: Help is on the way,’ Crist announced in a triumphant signing session.
Property tax initiative trips voters, officials say
Voters are confused about the proposed property tax amendment, elections officials and property appraisers say.
Like CFO Alex Sink, many officials voice their opposition only when they are asked.
The top Democrat in Florida government urged voters Tuesday to oppose the property tax amendment on next week’s ballot, saying the tax savings are not worth the cuts to public services.
Florida attorney general sues foreclosure rescue firm
Attorney General Bill McCollum has sued a South Florida-based foreclosure rescue company, alleging the firm defrauded dozens of homeowners, and is seeking legislation to strength protections for those facing foreclosure.
The turmoil in the domestic and international financial markets, the Federal Reserve’s dramatic action to lower interest rates and President Bush’s aggressive push for an economic-stimulus package all are reasons to invest in job growth, even in hard economic times, Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday.
Clearwater couple arrested in $7M fraud case
A former Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy and his wife have been arrested on charges of stealing more than $7-million through a title company they once owned, officials said today.
Cash crunch hits Florida campaigns
Time and cash are running out in Florida’s high-stakes GOP election, and signs of it are everywhere on the campaign trail.
Rocky Fla. economy altering political landscape
Analysts say issue may help Romney against McCain
The Republican presidential field may find the political ground shifting under its feet in Florida, where the faltering economy is fast surpassing national security as the cutting issue in next week’s primary, when GOP voters could clear up the blurred contest for the party’s nomination.
Candidates Martinez, DÃaz-Balart start swinging
The race for the congressional seat of South Florida Rep. Lincoln DÃaz-Balart quickly turned nasty Tuesday after former Hialeah Mayor Raul Martinez, a Democrat, formally announced he was challenging the 15-year Republican incumbent.
Putnam Disappointed by Withdrawal
U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam was in the air flying back to Washington on Tuesday afternoon when former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson, a man Putnam had begged to seek the Republican nomination for president, dropped out of the race.
Insurers Counter CFA Report Blasting Carriers For ‘Overcharging’
Property-casualty insurers are getting rich by “methodically overcharging consumers,†reducing coverage, underpaying claims and having taxpayers pay some of the tab for risks that carriers should cover, the Consumer Federation of America charged in its latest salvo against the industry.
New Rules, Capital, Sought For Bond Insurers: Dinallo
New York ’s insurance regulator announced today that the state is implementing a three-point plan for the bond insurance market that was buffeted last week by rating agency actions.
S.C. Gov. Sanford Issues Statement on Small Business Healthcare Bill
Governor Praises Committee for Passage of Bill Aimed at Improving Small Businesses’ Access to Healthcare
Gov. Mark Sanford today issued the following statement on the S.C. House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee’s passage of S.588, a reform the governor called for in his State of the State address aimed at making it easier for small businesses to offer health insurance to their employees:
Insurance CEOs, Regulators Face Off
Insurance company executives and regulators faced off over whether the state oversight system should be reformed or tossed entirely during an impromptu exchange between two sets of panelists at a gathering of top industry officials.
Unmanned aircraft could boost hurricane-monitoring
Unmanned aircraft like those used by the U.S. military in Iraq will increasingly be used to monitor storms, a role currently performed by manned aircraft, weather officials said on Tuesday.
Minn. bridge victims prepare to sue
Dozens of victims of last summer’s bridge collapse in Minneapolis from surviving spouses to the parents of children riding on a yellow school bus have filed preliminary paperwork to sue the state.
Teacher, Gypsy, Even an Insurance Agent Make Fraud Hall of Shame List
A glass-eating gypsy, a teacher who faked terminal cancer, and an insurance agent who killed homeless clients are among the top insurance swindlers of 2007.