Political junkies in Tampa Bay awaiting the redistricting process to finally wrap up a few months ago chattered about the prospect of an epic GOP primary fight between state Sens. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, and Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. The potential for such a battle-for-the-soul-of-the-GOP race seems to have ebbed, while the more common speculation is about another Yuuuuge…
BY TIMOTHY O’HARA Citizen Staff tohara@keysnews.com Retired South Miami Dade County school teacher Artie Leichner will challenge State Rep. Holly Raschein in the 2016 general election. Leichner, a Democrat from Redland, is taking his first crack at politics in his quest for the House District 120 seat. District 120 includes the entire Florida Keys and a small…
Key Largo (United States) (AFP) – Extreme high tides have turned streets into canal-like swamps in the Florida Keys, with armies of mosquitoes and the stench of stagnating water filling the air, and residents worried rising sea levels will put a damper on property values in the island chain. On Key Largo, a tropical isle…
Business leaders encourage lawmakers to rein in AOB abuse during 2016 session TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 9, 2014 – Citizens Property Insurance Corp. today took important steps toward addressing problems associated with fraudulent water damage claims that are resulting in higher insurance costs for its policyholders, particularly in South Florida. Citizens’ Board of Governors approved policy…
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, December 8, 2015……….The Senate isn’t ready to match a House proposal that would prevent local governments from regulating popular app-based transportation services, such as Uber and Lyft. Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said Tuesday his chamber will again focus during the 2016 legislative session…
Just three companies responded to an Oct. 6 request by Florida’s new insurance consumer advocate for data to back up assertions that water damage claims and resulting lawsuits in South Florida are out of control. Among the companies that did not submit data as requested by Consumer Insurance Advocate Sha’Ron James was the state’s largest:…
Put down those cell phones and save your texting and web surfing for later — texting while driving could become a primary offense if legislation from two Republican lawmakers passes through the Florida Legislature this year. The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, and Rep. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, would change current Florida law to…
Florida survives 10th straight year without hurricane strike; But streak may be over, officials warn residents. By Jorge Milian Palm Beach Post Staff Writer The experts were right: Hurricane season was a dud.Colorado State University climatologist Phil Klotzbach predicted in April that the six-month Atlantic season would be “pretty boring” and the forecast proved accurate.There…
Though not quite as protracted (and definitely not as written about), another leadership battle in the Legislature seems to have settled after days of arm-twisting, pledge-wrangling and nose-counting. State Representative Chris Sprowls, a Palm Harbor Republican, reportedly has swayed enough defectors from fellow Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, an Orlando Republican, to make Sprowls the likely Speaker of the Florida House of…
Curbing Abuses of Assignments of Benefits and Reaffirming Insureds’ Unique Right to Unilateral Attorney’s Fees Certain providers have partnered with attorneys to create a profitable litigation arrangement. In this arrangement, a service provider agrees to make a repair potentially covered by an insurance policy in exchange for the insurance policyholder’s right to sue his insurer…