Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, June 30

Jun 30, 2010

 

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Former Florida Insurance Commissioner Tom Gallagher joins Board of Professional Bank

Thomas Gallagher, Florida’s former CFO and insurance commissioner, has joined the board of Coral Gables-based Professional Bank.

 

State Representative Mike Horner:  Florida reckless on insurance

The 2010 hurricane season began June 1, and forecasters predict we could experience multiple hurricanes this year. While many Floridians have their households prepared for a storm, the state of Florida is woefully unprepared.

 

New Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology “effectively sterilizes public debate about the way property insurance companies set rates”

One of the new laws extends a public-records exemption provided to insurance companies that furnish hurricane-loss models to the Florida Commission on Hurricane Loss Projection Methodology. It effectively sterilizes public debate about the way property insurance companies set rates. Scheduled to be repealed on Oct. 2 of this year, the exemption will be extended until 2015.

 

News release:   University of Florida lightning researchers receive $9.8 million defense agency grant

Just in time for Florida’s summer lightning season, a $9.8 million grant will greatly expand research operations at the University of Florida and Florida Institute of Technology International Center for Lightning Research and Testing.

 

More lawsuits against Tampa company WellCare made public

The allegations of wrongdoing at WellCare Health Plans Inc. continued Tuesday with the unsealing of two more whistle-blower complaints against the Tampa company.

 

Florida jails linked to immigration databases

A Homeland Security computer system now links to all Florida county jails to quickly identify foreign nationals who could be deported because of crimes

Federal immigration officials now have the ability to identify potentially deportable foreign nationals booked into Florida county jails on suspicion of crimes.

 

Blog:  Public Service Commission Nominating Council ousts utilities opponents Argenziano and Skop

In quick fashion, the legislature-dominated Public Service Commission Nominating Council voted to interview 18 candidates for the two position on the state utility board and refused to interview Gov. Charlie Crist’s appointees PSC chairwoman Nancy Argenziano or his appointee Nathan Skop.

 

Jacksonville foreign trade zone ranked third in the world

The Port of Jacksonville’s foreign trade zone is the third best of its kind in the world, according to a foreign direct investment magazine.

 

Crist sued over GOP donations

Since making the switch from Republican to independent candidate for U.S. Senate, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has received his fair share of flack. But the anger from those who once supported him has yet to die down.

  • Click here to read the documents.

 

Prosecutors:   Ex-GOP chief Greer lied about ties to company

Greer ally Delmar Johnson III makes deal, will not go to prison

Jim Greer, former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, called a friend at a Tallahassee law firm in February 2009, asking for help in setting up a company.

 

No-limit poker becomes legal in Florida on July 1

Poker pros are renting houses in South Florida, hoping to pick off the fish who don’t know how to play higher stakes

A new era in Florida poker begins July 1.

 

Debt-relief con artists dodging state crackdown

Along with ads for payday-advance loans and roadside signs touting foreclosure-prevention aid, offers of help from debt-relief companies have turned up nearly everywhere during the housing slump and recession.

 

Gulf oil spill affecting Floridians’ interest in spending, experts say

The Gulf oil spill is weighing on Florida consumers’ minds, combining with other economic concerns to lower their mood to spend.

 

Write-in loophole is tilting ballots throughout state

Northern Hillsborough and Pasco voters will have two choices for state senator on the November ballot: the winner of the Republican primary or a blank line for a write-in candidate’s name.

 

Democratic AG candidates squabble over proper response to BP’s hiring of law firm

Florida Attorney General candidate Dan Gelber resigned from his law firm after it was retained by BP, but not soon enough for his Democratic primary opponent, Dave Aronberg.

 

Orlando, nine other cities get grants for volunteer czars

Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore and Little Rock, Ark. are among the 10 cities receiving grants to hire a senior city official who will help develop a program to increase volunteerism.

 

New Law Allows Louisiana To Transfer Anti-Fraud Money To General Fund 

Under a House bill signed by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, the state will be allowed to take earmarked anti-fraud money and transfer it into the state’s general fund for non-fraud purposes.

 

Did Habitat for Humanity Use Defective Drywall?

Habitat for Humanity, the well-known non-profit Christian organization that builds affordable homes for people in need, installed a specific type of drywall in several dozen New Orleans homes in 2009 long after it was made public that the product could be defective.

 

Neal Bill, HR 3424, Proponents and Opponents Trade Salvoes

When U.S. Representative Richard Neal (D-MA) introduced HR 3424, a bill aimed at closing what its proponents describe as a “loophole” in the U.S. tax code, he ignited, or more properly reignited, a longstanding controversy.  Should foreign reinsurance companies, principally those based in Bermuda with U.S. affiliates, who write business in the U.S., continue to deduct the payments these affiliates make for reinsurance premiums to their offshore counterparts?

 

New Jersey to Cease Printing Agents’ Licenses

Print it yourself. That’s what New Jersey’s insurance regulator is telling insurance agents about their insurance licenses.

 

Surplus Lines Association of Washington Administers Flood Insurance Program

Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and more than two dozen insurance companies have launched a new program to help Green River Valley businesses struggling to find flood coverage.

 

Financial Crisis Creates Obstacles For Captive Formation

In the wake of the financial crisis, the captive industry is running into new stumbling blocks that can triple the time it takes to set up a captive, according to a captive manager here.

 

Vehicle Monitoring Systems Raise Serious Privacy Concerns

A federal lawsuit filed by the fourth largest U.S. auto insurer alleging patent infringement on a motor vehicle monitoring system spotlights serious concerns about privacy.

 

Bermuda working toward Solvency II equivalency

Bermuda’s insurance regulator says efforts are continuing to achieve regulatory equivalence with the European Union’s Solvency II standards, but it is being done in a way that is consistent with the nature of the Bermuda market.

 

 

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