Coalition enlists consumer testimony in support of AOB reform

Feb 27, 2018

A business group pushing the House version of assignment of benefits reform is releasing video testimonials by consumers who feel they were harmed by AOB abuse, FloridaPolitics.com reports. Read more:  http://floridapolitics.com/archives/257438-coalition-enlists-consumer-testimony-support-aob-reform

Insurer not off hook for claim over suspected worker intoxication

Feb 27, 2018

A Florida appeals court ruled Friday that an insurer’s failure to meet the 120-day deadline to deny the compensability of an injury claim waived the insurer’s intoxicated-worker rights.  Louise Esola reports for Business Insurance. Read more:  http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20180226/NEWS08/912319442/RetailFirst-Insurance-Company-not-off-hook-for-claim-over-suspected-Neptune-Fish

League of Cities drops opposition to workers’ comp changes

Feb 27, 2018

Because cities and counties in Florida employ almost all first responders, they will incur almost all of the costs of the benefit, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via FloridaPolitics.com. Read more:  http://floridapolitics.com/archives/257529-league-cities-drops-opposition

Legislative leadership agrees on 2018 allocations

Feb 27, 2018

Senate budget chief Rob Bradley confirmed late Monday that a deal between the House and the Senate on budget allocations had been reached. Budget conferencing could begin as soon as today, FloridaPolitics.com reports. Read more:  http://floridapolitics.com/archives/257367-legislative-leadership-2018-allocations

Feds investigating Pittsburgh ties to fraudulent drug rehab centers in Florida

Feb 27, 2018

Prosecutors and legitimate rehab centers are pushing Congress to change laws that they say actually protect the shady sober homes by preventing states from enacting tough regulations.  Paul Van Osdol reports for WTAE.com. Read more:  http://www.wtae.com/article/feds-investigating-pittsburgh-ties-to-fraudulent-drug-rehab-centers-in-florida/18730592

After Parkland, Florida looks to mental health programs and campus officers as fixes. But it’s underfunded both.

Feb 27, 2018

Current psychologists and law enforcement say after years of insufficient funding and short staffing, the state has “a long way to go.”  The Tampa Bay Times’ Emily L. Mahoney reports for “The Buzz” blog. Read more:  http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/02/26/after-parkland-florida-looks-to-mental-health-programs-and-campus-officers-as-fixes-but-its-underfunded-both/

Florida Senator Greg Steube is running for Congress

Feb 27, 2018

A staunch conservative who is known for sponsoring gun rights bills, Steube is likely to be a strong contender for the District 17 congressional seat, which covers a conservative part of the state and has nearly 57,000 more registered Republicans …