Citizens Insurance reform plan could cost property owners more money

TALLAHASSEE --
Property insurance rates across the state could shoot up much faster beginning next year under a massive new proposal being drafted in the Florida Legislature.

The proposal, released in draft form Wednesday, shows that lawmakers’ attempts to reform Citizens Property Insurance could have costly repercussions for millions of property owners.

“We’ve all seen that artificially suppressing rates is a recipe for disaster,” said Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Chair David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs. “When you cause a private company to not be able to make a profit, what do they do? They do what we have seen. They have a flight from the state of Florida.”

Simmons disputed the claim that the proposal would lead to higher rates and said there would likely be several amendments to address any concerns.

The bill is full of enticements long-coveted by private insurers and business groups, who wield considerable political power but regularly face legislative defeats because of the pocketbook implications of their requests. The latest proposal gives insurance companies more latitude to raise premiums faster and weakens their top competition — Citizens — by forcing it to charge higher prices.

One measure in the 34-page bill is particularly telling: It changes a legal mandate that insurance in Florida be “affordable,” adding new language requiring premium prices to “reflect the risks covered.” It also mandates that Citizens charge prices that are higher than what’s available in the private market.

Because the proposal could have a multibillion dollar pocketbook impact on millions of homeowners in coming years, it is likely to face opposition from lawmakers in South Florida and the Tampa Bay area, where insurance costs are highest.

Any rate increases engendered by the bill would likely hit homeowners in 2014, right as campaigns for primary and general elections in the Legislature heat up. Also up for reelection: Gov. Rick Scott, who has said lowering the cost of living is one of his top governing principles. Scott could face former Gov. Charlie Crist, who froze Citizens’ insurance rates while in office and mandated “affordable” coverage, saving homeowners millions of dollars.

Throughout his governorship, Scott has steered clear of making specific proposals for property insurance reform, while simultaneously pushing Citizens’ board to aggressively shrink the company. The board’s actions have led to hundreds of millions of dollars in price hikes and coverage reductions. Scott has expressed concern that Citizens is undercutting the private market with its rates and could leave taxpayers liable to assessments after a once-in-a-lifetime storm.

The new proposal seeks to address that concern, along with several others. It includes the following provisions:

Citizens must charge rates that are higher than average rates in the private market.

Insurance companies may use an “insurance inflation factor” to raise premiums faster than currently allowed by law.

Insurance companies, including Citizens, may charge homeowners additional fees to help cover the cost of backup insurance.

Insurance companies can charge rates that are higher than what regulators traditionally allow, if homeowners agree to the higher charges.

Read More..

Rihanna Accompanies Chris Brown to Court

Rihanna is standing by her man.

The controversial pop star, who recently reconciled romantically with Chris Brown, accompanied her boyfriend to a probation hearing in Los Angeles, reports The Associated Press.

Related: Rihanna and Brown Share Intimate Instagram Pics In Bed

Brown visited the courthouse briefly on Wednesday to oppose a motion to revoke the singer's probation stemming from his 2009 assault on Rihanna. Prosecutors claim Brown did not show sufficient evidence that he completed his required community labor sentence.

The AP reports Rihanna blew Brown a kiss before entering the court room, and when the hearing was over, the two left the courthouse together.

Related: People Need To Support Chris Brown, Says Rihanna

Judge James Brandlin has asked for additional reports regarding Brown's community service and scheduled a new hearing date for April 5.

Read More..

Inwood man confesses to setting wife's head on fire with blowtorch

First he bought his wife coffee. Then he set her head on fire.

Officials today released the confession of the Inwood man charged in last month's blowtorch revenge attacks on his wife and ex-boss -- admissions eerie in their mix of the mundane and the maniacal.

"I woke up this morning around 6 a.m. with the plan already made," Carlos Diaz, 35, told cops of the morning he doused wife Cathy Zappata in the face with accelerant, than blasted her with a blow torch as she sat in her car in a Pathmark parking lot.

"I went to Dyckman Bakery to buy her coffee," he told cops in the confession, released as Diaz pleaded not guilty through an interpreter to two counts of attempted murder.

Steven Hirsch

Carlos Diaz, 35, hit his estranged wife in the head with the blowtorch, poured a liquid accelerant in her hair and lit her on fire.

"I did that to buy more time so that I could take my kid to school and then there wouldn't be as many people in the mechanic's shop," he said.

Diaz told cops he'd wanted to lure his wife to the 10th Avenue garage, so that he could attack both her and his ex-boss, shop owner Helson Marachena, at the same time.

"She suspected something," though, he told cops of his wife, so he doused her on the spot in his car, he said.

"I sprayed her with starting fluid in her face and everywhere and lit her with a blow torch," Diaz told cops.

Lead prosecutor Scott Leet was asked today by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gregory Carro to recount the facts of the case, and the prosecutor told the judge that Zappata suffered second degree burns throughout her neck and face.

"Parts of her hair were singed down to the scalp," Leet told the judge, who set Diaz's next date for April 10.

The ex-boss, Marachena, fared better, the prosecutor told the judge. Diaz admittedly walked to the nearby mechanic's shop and doused Marachena with accelerant too, according to police and Diaz's own confession.

"But the torch wouldn't light," Diaz told cops.

Read More..

Miami startup that turns text to video receives $1 million in seed funding

Guide, a new technology startup based in Miami, announced Tuesday it has closed a $1 million round of seed funding from investors including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Sapient Corp., MTV founder Bob Pitman, actor and producer Omar Epps, and early Google employee Steve Schimmel. The Knight Foundation is supporting Guide through its new early-stage venture fund, the Knight Enterprise Fund.

Led by CEO and founder Freddie Laker and COO Leslie Bradshaw, Guide’s team of seven is focused on turning online news, social streams and blogs into video for users who may be cooking, exercising, commuting or getting ready in the morning. The free application offers consumers a selection of about 20 “anchors” — including a dog, a robot and an anime character — that will read the article and present the accompanying photos, pull-out information and video clips in its video presentation. Revenue drivers for Guide could include in-app purchases, advertising-based anchors and customizations from publishers, said Laker, a former vice president at SapientNitro.

Laker and his team plan to launch a public beta next month, which they plan to do with a splash at the huge technology conference South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas.

Read more about Guide here on the Starting Gate blog. Follow Nancy Dahlberg on Twitter @ndahlberg

Read More..

Jackson Health System, Kendall Regional battle over trauma

Kendall Regional Medical Center lost one battle in the trauma wars Tuesday at the Miami-Dade County Commission, but has launched a new attack in Tallahassee, asking state regulators to reject a Jackson Health System request that Kendall maintains would force it to close its trauma center.

With about 100 supporters packing commission chambers wearing red T-shirts saying “Kendall Trauma Saves Lives,” Commissioner Javier Souto asked his colleagues to reconsider a Jan. 23 resolution, passed 10-0, authorizing Jackson to take legal action to protect its trauma programs.

Jackson has been complaining that its Ryder Trauma Center has been losing about $28 million a year since the state allowed Kendall Regional to open a second Dade trauma unit in November 2011. State regulators, meanwhile, have delayed granting licenses for trauma centers at Jackson North and Jackson South hospitals.

Souto said his office had been bombarded by 4,000 emails complaining that the commission had acted hastily in granting Jackson legal approval. “A big chunk of people are very offended.”

Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz said many of the “thousands” of emails he received quoted a Kendall executive as saying that the commission resolution was intended to “force Kendall to close its trauma center.”

“That’s a lie,” Diaz said. The commission simply gave Jackson an ability “to defend itself.”

The motion to reconsider died on a 6-6 vote.

Mark McKenney, medical director of the Kendall center, issued a statement calling the commission vote “a shame.” During his center’s first 15 months, “we have seen more than 2,550 trauma patients. ... Kendall Regional is dedicated to providing care to a community of 2.5 million people that, as the seventh most populated county in the U.S., has been greatly underserved. The facts are clear about the need for trauma services, and we will continue to fight to provide these vital medical services.”

Meanwhile, the fight at the state level continues. In early January, Jackson asked Department of Health officials for an administrative hearing over state inaction on its two trauma-care licensing requests. Jackson complained that regulators have granted provisional licenses to Kendall and Ocala hospitals under a policy that state courts have ruled invalid.

The Jackson petition maintained that “all provisional licenses issued under the invalid trauma need rule should be revoked.”

On Monday, the Kendall and Ocala hospitals filed their own motions in the case, asking that Jackson’s petitions be dismissed because it “had no right” to request that the licenses of other centers be rejected. If those motions were rejected, the HCA facilities asked that they be allowed to intervene in the Jackson proceedings.

Also on Monday, Jackson Chief Executive Carlos Migoya sent an email to county and state political leaders saying that the trauma legal filings were “highly technical. It is vital to understand that Jackson has not initiated any legal action against any other hospital, hospital system or trauma center in this issue.” On Tuesday Jackson spokesman Edwin O’Dell said, “We are limited as to what we can say during these complex regulatory proceedings.” But he noted that the Health department had suspended Jackson’s trauma applications while approving others. “We seek a level playing field on which our community’s taxpayer-owned hospital system is treated fairly and can compete fairly.”

State regulators are now working to come up with a trauma regulation that courts will deem fair to all parties. Health officials have been insisting that Miami-Dade, with 2.5 million people, needs several trauma centers.

: On Tuesday, an advisory committee from the American College of Surgeons told Florida Health officials about steps they could take to come up with fair trauma regulations.

Jackson officials maintain that, with helicopter transport, its Level 1 trauma center is just minutes away from any place in the county and that it has a highly experienced trauma staff always on duty, while Kendall Regional, a Level 2 center, has to call in specialists to treat complex cases.

Herald staff writer Patricia Mazzei and Tampa Bay Times reporter Tia Mitchell contributed to this article.

Read More..

Quvenzhane Wallis and Ladies of Oscar Luncheon

Robert De Niro who? Adorable nine-year-old Oscar nominee Quvenzhane Wallis sat down to talk with ET's Nancy O'Dell about some of her favorite stars, and the legendary De Niro drew a big fat question mark from the Beasts of the Southern Wild beauty.

Pics: Fierce Fashions at the Oscar Luncheon

Watch the video for more with Quvenzhane, plus Naomi Watts, Sally Field, Jacki Weaver and Christoph Waltz talk about their nominations and red carpet do's and don'ts at Monday's Oscar Nominees Luncheon.

The actors were among the more than 160 Oscar nominees enjoying lunch together to celebrate their major recognition at the Motion Picture Academy's annual luncheon, held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Video: Fielding Fashion & Fun Times at Oscars Luncheon

Stay tuned to ETonline for complete Oscar night coverage when the 85th Annual Academy Awards hosted by Seth MacFarlane airs live on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center.

Read More..

Chelsea residents, pols, oppose sale of historic post office

The US Postal Service wants to unload the Old Chelsea Post Office on West 18th Street - but neighbors say they won’t give up the landmark without a fight.

“I love the Post Office! It’s an important part of the community and the community is saying they should not take it away,” fumed Barbara Ruether, 79, who lives in the Village but is a regular.

A top Manhattan commercial real estate appraiser told The Post the 40,000-square foot building in a prime Chelsea location could easily fetch more than $36 million - and far more if more stories can be added.

Ruether said she learned of the pending sale when she spotted a letter from postal authorities to state preservation officials posted on a bulletin board announcing the plan.

“Nobody knew what was happening,” said Ruether, who alerted Community Board 4 and state Sen. Brad Hoylman.

The sale is on CB4’s agenda when it meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hotel Trades Council Auditorium at 305 W. 44th St.

Hoylman said yesterday he was joining with other local, state and federal elected officials to fight to keep the facility open.

“Public spaces like Old Chelsea Post Office are critical to character of our community and we don’t want to lose it,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the Post Office confirmed yesterday that the building was up for sale.

“The Old Chelsea Station is being considered for downsizing to a smaller space. No decision has been finalized as of this time, it is in the early stages,” spokeswoman Connie Chirichello said in an email to The Post.

The Colonial Revival-style building was designed in 1935 by architect Eric Kebbon, who also designed other post offices and school buildings across the city.

It has not been landmarked by the city, though it’s been designated as a historic place by both the state and federal governments, which means new owners would likely have to preserve most of the existing structure and carvings.

Additional reporting by

Georgett Roberts

rfredericks@nypost.com

Read More..

Arsht Center launches new business-focused group

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts hosted a group of more than 100 business and community leaders Tuesday for a luncheon atop the Knight Concert Hall stage, an intimate conversation with former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley — and, ideally, $100,000.

There were no obvious solicitations for money — that will come later — but the event served as the official kickoff for the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation Leadership Committee, an effort to engage entrepreneurs and corporations with opportunities tailored to the business community.

So far, the committee has 10 founding members who have pledged $25,000 a year for four years, including Inktel Holdings and the law firms Colson Hicks Eidson and Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson.

Suzanna Valdez, vice president of advancement for the Arsht Center, said there’s no firm target for how many members the committee should have. The goal, she said, is to grow the group thoughtfully and give corporations and individuals who haven’t supported the county-owned center reason to do so.

In addition to exclusive privileges and events, members would have a say in what kind of programming their contributions would fund, she said.

“This is inviting the business community to get further engaged and involved,” she said.

Tuesday’s event, which was underwritten by Northern Trust and free to attendees, focused on the importance of public-private partnerships and the relationship between arts, business and cities. Daley, mayor of Chicago from 1989-2011, spoke about the city’s popular Millennium Park and the involvement of businesses, foundations and philanthropists in its creation.

“Everything that you see in Millennium Park is donated,” he said.

Daley, who was joined by former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, emphasized the importance of the government working on partnerships with the private sector — but not managing such projects.

“I’ve always believed that government cannot do everything,” he said. “We have to look at the business community as an asset, not a liability.”

Read More..

Gov. Rick Scott's elections adviser urges redo on early voting law

TALLAHASSEE --
Gov. Rick Scott’s elections adviser urged legislators on Monday to return to 14 days of early voting in Florida and to add locations to avoid repeating the chaos that plagued voting in 2012.

Testifying before a House committee, Secretary of State Ken Detzner largely echoed the views of county election supervisors. They want to offer from eight to 14 days of early voting, including on the Sunday before Election Day, and at more sites, including courthouses and civic centers.

“The bottom line is, voter confidence must be restored,’’ Detzner said. “Supervisors of elections and county commissions must take it upon themselves to oversee elections through responsible leadership and administration.”

For years, elections officials and Democratic legislators have tried to increase the sites used for early voting.

“By having sites available at more locations, we can take advantage of better parking, bigger buildings and convenient locations,” said Seminole County Supervisor of Elections Mike Ertel.

Detzner also urged a change in state law to stop legislators from ordering the full texts of proposed constitutional amendments to appear on ballots, but lawmakers do not yet appear eager to surrender that power. Ballot length was a leading factor that led to voters standing in line for hours last fall, prompting ridicule from TV pundits and comedians.

The Legislature’s Republican majority in 2011 voted to reduce early voting from 14 days to eight, prompting complaints of voter suppression from Democrats and allied groups. But most counties offered 12 days of early voting for 12 hours each day, and President Barack Obama, a Democrat, won Florida for a second time.

Detzner told lawmakers that his proposals were made “without party influence” and that if the Legislature okays them, the problems will end.

“I am 100 percent confident that my report and my recommendations will solve the problem,’’ Detnzer said. “I know we’re on the right track.”

Detzner will testify Tuesday at a workshop before the Senate Ethics & Elections Committee, headed by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater.

“There’s enough blame to go around for why we had the problems,” Latvala said recently. “Some of the blame can lie with the Legislature, but some of it lies with supervisors of elections ... It’s too early to tell exactly what we’re going to do, but we’re going to do our best to try to improve the situation.”

Herald/Times staff writer Mary Ellen Klas contributed to this report.

Read More..

Inside Bachelor Sean Lowe's Double Date with Jackie and Tierra

How will Tierra react to being picked for a two-on-one date with Sean?

The resident bad gal of the group doesn't take well to the news in tonight's brand-new episode of The Bachelor. When told she'll be vying for Sean Lowe's attentions opposite Jackie, Tierra just about pulls herself out of the competition. Again.

Pics: Meet 'Bachelor' Sean Lowe's Lucky Ladies!

"It's awkward from the very first moment," Sean reveals of the outing to ET's Brooke Anderson. "You're trying to show both of them an equal amount of attention which is almost impossible without one of them getting jealous. It's not good."

Watch our exclusive interview with Bachelor Sean and new clips from tonight's episode in the player above! Plus, take a sneak peek at OK! Magazine's sizzling shirtless photo shoot with Sean.

Video: Sean Lowe Dishes on His 'Bachelor' Expectations

Don't miss new episodes of The Bachelor airing tonight and tomorrow on ABC.

Read More..