Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Wednesday, March 19

Mar 19, 2008

 

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How many has program helped? My Safe Florida Home doesn’t track results; lawmaker wants to change that

A new $1.06-million My Safe Florida Home advertising campaign tells homeowners statewide that applying for a free hurricane wind inspection could save them money.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE RAY SANSOM: Tapping reserves is a fiscally irresponsible quick fix

Florida House budget chief: Spend only what we can afford

At first blush, spending budget reserves in order to maintain a balanced budget next year seems like a good idea (“In Tough Economic Times, Florida Lawmakers Ought to Dip into Reserves,” March 14).

Inspection Ads Omit Key Facts About Savings

A new $1.06 million My Safe Florida Home advertising campaign tells homeowners statewide that applying for a free hurricane wind inspection could save them money.

Wellington mayor flip-flops on storm cleanup refund

What a difference an election makes.

Two years after Wilma, life’s still a struggle at many condos

Twenty-nine months after Hurricane Wilma, residents of some devastated condo communities are finally seeing some progress, while others continue to struggle.

Tax-cut proposal leaves big questions

A massive tax-cut proposal promises big savings for property owners, but it leaves big questions.

The clearest aspects of Florida’s biggest tax overhaul effort on November’s ballot: billions in savings all but guaranteed for property owners and a just-as-likely sales-tax increase.

Did tax panelists’ airport chat break rules?

Former state Sen. Les Miller of Tampa told his colleagues on a powerful tax panel Monday that he and another panel member had chatted recently about tax reform in an airport.

Florida Lawmakers Propose Bundle of Bills to Make Roads Safer

Lawmakers are looking to make Florida roads safer with bills that deal with issues ranging from road rage to driver education programs.

Crist aims to ease health costs

With families and businesses struggling to afford health care, Gov. Charlie Crist and Florida lawmakers are moving forward with proposals that would allow people to buy cheaper, stripped-down insurance.

Florida legislators urged to act on insurance coverage for autistic children

Daniel Barta knows his name and age. For most 4-year-olds, that’s no big deal.

Bill would restrict Cuban medical licenses

Americans who get their medical degree in Cuba wouldn’t be allowed to practice medicine in Florida under a bill discussed by the House Health Quality Committee.

City to Take CSX Concerns to Capital

With the Florida Legislature in session and Lakeland battling for a long-range rail plan, a contingent from the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce will head to Tallahassee next week to talk to lawmakers.

FPL backs off on state beach wind-farm project

Bowing to unexpected public opposition, Florida Power & Light is abandoning plans to use a state-owned beach on Hutchinson Island for Florida’s first industrial wind farm.

FP&L clears one hurdle en route to building two nuclear generators near Turkey Point

Florida Power & Light Co. cleared the first hurdle in a long road to build two nuclear generators near its Turkey Point nuclear plant near Miami.

Bills pass in House council to compensate Crotzer and others wrongfully imprisoned

A House council passed two bills Tuesday, one that will compensate a man for being wrongfully imprisoned for more than 24 years, and one that will automatically compensate anyone without a felony conviction who is wrongfully convicted.

Some Find Florida’s Sports Pork Difficult To Digest

With more than $3 billion of prospective budget cuts looming for the 2008-2009 fiscal year, advocates for the poor, the disabled and teacher and state employee unions went on the offensive Tuesday with a news conference about the Legislature’s protection of corporate subsidies and tax breaks.

CVS to pay $37 million in Medicare fraud case

CVS Caremark Corp., one of the nation’s largest pharmacy chains, has agreed to pay $36.7 million to settle Medicaid fraud claims, federal and state officials announced Tuesday.

Guarding Your Wealth: Long-term care insurance policy can be a real bargain

We’ve all heard the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Farmers Files Homeowners Rate Increase in Texas

Stating it’s the first rate change in two years for its “Texas Family Home Policy,” Farmers Insurance Group, through Texas Farmers Insurance Company, filed a rate increase for the policy with the Texas Department of Insurance.

Allstate Lowering Auto Rates in California

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced a 15.9 percent decrease in auto insurance rates for customers of Allstate Insurance Co. and Allstate Indemnity Co.

Arizona Insurance Information Association Renamed Arizona Insurance Council

The Arizona Insurance Information Association has changed its name to the Arizona Insurance Council (AIC) to reflect a new direction for the insurance industry organization.

‘Moral Hazard’: Why Risk Is Good

Golf has water hazards.

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