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The state said today it is still working on an appeal of a judges decision to allow Allstate to continue to sell polices while it defies state regulators requests for information. The state had two choices when the company refused to comply with a subpoena..it could fine them ten thousand dollars, or stop them from doing business. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, key legislators says they are ready to give the regulators a bigger hammer over uncooperative companies.

Hear it here: State Looking for �Insurance Hammer�

Insurance rates were supposed to drop like a rock. They didn�t. Allstate was asked for documents. It stonewalled. The state told the good hands people to stop selling insurance. The company went to court, and won.

There�s virtually no chance the first district court of appeal is going to change its mind and stop Allstate from doing business again. And that leaves the state virtually nothing in its enforcement tool bag.

In preparation of legislative hearings, property and casualty insurers brought in experts to justify the claim that they are still losing money. �We have a loss of 6.7 billion dollars…� said Dr. Bob Hartwick.

We asked industry spokesman William Stander why they are thumbing their noses at regulators.

�Our companies are always willing and able to cooperate with the office of insurance regulation. It doesn�t appear that way because, I think insurance companies, just like any natural person, still enjoy the rights given to us by the constitution of the United States.�

State Senator Jeff Atwater says more power is on the way. �You�ve gotta have a hammer. I mean can you imagine ignoring the state supreme court in Missouri, now to the point of two million dollars and come to a subpoenaed hearing in Florida, fearful that you might get slapped with a ten thousand dollar fine. They have ignored it.� says Atwater.

But until new regulations are on the book, it is unclear what more the state can do ut use its bully pulpit to shine light on companies it accuses of being bad actors. which is exactly what Charlie Crist did when he said “In Allstate�s case, they�re bad hands..not good hands”.

Both the Senate banking and Insurance Committee and a select committee on insurance met briefly this afternoon, but the real fireworks come next week when top executives from 5 companies, including Allstate, are put under oath.

A major drug store chain is lending a helping hand to the state�s only public historically black university.� Walgreen�s is donating 250 thousand dollars to the Florida A&M University College of Pharmacy for scholarship programs.� University President James Ammons says the donation is sign that FAMU is back on track, even as lawmakers look at slashing more than 2 billion dollars from the state budget.

�Because of the tremendous relationship we�ve had with Walgreen�s over the past decade we are now able to continue the momentum in the college of pharmacy despite of all of the cuts that are going on,” Ammons said.

More than 400 FAMU College of Pharmacy graduates work for Walgreen�s.

Governor Charlie Crist says his tracking polls show Amendment one right around 60 percent approval…which it needs to win. He calls it a challenge in the face of city and county officials who are on the campaign trail talking about what services will be cut if the tax cutting amendment is approved next Tuesday.� Mailers are on their way to many voters saying out of state property owners will benefit. Crist says he�s not paying attention to the other side, but focusing on his message.

�I don�t want to involve myself in the assertion so much. I mean, my concern is to get the truth out about what this will do for people. That essentially it will double their homestead exemption, that it will create portability, so they don�t feel trapped in their homes anymore. Save Our Homes will be preserved if they vote yes on one. The three percent cap that protects us right now and is so cherished by our fellow Floridians. This is a good thing. It�s not the end, we�re gonna keep going. And we need people to go out and vote, to cut their own property taxes. That�s my plea.

Amendment One is the first ballot initiative required to win by a 60 percent margin. The change was approved by voters in 2006.

12 entities across the state will share a 25 million dollar Farm to Fuel grant. The money is designed to turn Florida agricultural products into usable energy. The state goal is for agriculture to produce 25 percent of the states fuel by the year 2025. Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson says those who were chosen for the grants are investing nearly $157 million of their own resources into their renewable energy projects. He also says it will pay big dividends for agriculture in the future.

�It�s going to be creating new businesses that are going to, in this case, at full run, will create over 100,000 new, very well-paying jobs in the state of Florida for people to get into that industry” . Speaking to the Governor, Bronson said It�s going to create, in my opinion right now, Governor, if we get this going at full course within the next five years or so, that agriculture will out pace any other industry in this state because we�re going to be worth 100 billion dollars more than we are today in agriculture alone and what we can produce to make biofuel programs for the state of Florida.�

A total of 76 companies or organizations applied for the grants. This year the state budget is tight, but Governor Charlie Crist says the Farm to Fuel program may be too important to put on the chopping block.

�This is not a place to cut back. This is so important to Florida and for us to continue to be an innovative economy and have the opportunity to make sure that we�re moving in a direction that helps agriculture, helps our industry, keeps Florida clean, produces more energy, and basically does the right things for the future of our state.� said Crist.

The proposals were evaluated on including their use of Florida-grown crops or biomass to produce energy, and their potential to expand agribusiness in the state.

A new poll shows that only 45 percent of likely voters support an amendment to cut property taxes, well short of the 60 percent needed for approval. The poll from the Jacksonville Times Union and South Florida Sun-Sentinel shows 34 percent are opposed. As Chris Casquejo tells us, the fate of the tax cut lies in the hands of undecided voters now.

Hear it here: Amendment One In Danger

There are 9,800 registered voters in tiny Jefferson County.�� A large number of them turned out for the annual MLK parade. Many we talked to were aware of the coming vote on property taxes and worry about the impact a tax cut would have on their small county.

�It would have an affect on our county being a small area,” said voter Michael Mathis. “But we need the police force. We need the ambulances. So I would rather have all the protection in my area.�

The plan would double the homestead exemption and allow homeowners take their Save Our Homes benefits with them when they move. Some voters want a bigger tax cut.

�I�ve heard average savings of $249 per household and 500 per household,” said voter Ron Cave.� “I don�t think that�s quite enough.�

With so little time before January 29th , the key in both big cities and small towns, is swaying the undecided voters.

�I might vote yes. I might vote no,” said voter Robert Johnson.� “I�m not sure right now. I�m just going to wait and see what everyone else is doing.�

�I�m still undecided because I haven�t done my research to the fullest extent,� said Damian Gilbert.

This is the first time the 60 percent threshold for approving an amendment will be put to the test.

Voters approved the 60 percent threshold in November 2006.� The poll of 500 voters was conducted last week. It has a margin of error of 4.5 percent.
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As of 2:30 Friday afternoon, Allstate was able to start writing insurance policies again in Florida. An appeals court overturned regulators who suspended the insurance giant�s certificate after the company failed to hand over subpoenaed documents. As Chris Casquejo tells us, the fight over what the company calls trade secrets is not over.�

Hear it here: Judge Rules In Favor Of Allstate

The battle between state regulators and Allstate is hinging on a consultant�s report.� Allstate refused to turn over the documents at a hearing earlier this week, defying a subpoena.

�What have you got to hide?� asked Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty.

State regulators want to find out if Allstate is hiking profits by paying less on customers� claims, information contained in the so-called McKinsey report.

�They go to the heart of certain potential claims practices by Allstate.� And at this point, we just want to see what is in those documents,� said Ed Domansky of the state Office of Insurance Regulation.

The court decision allowing Allstate to resume sales doesn�t change the state�s interest in seeing the documents.��

This ruling means the good hands people can now get their hands on new Florida customers once again.� State regulators now have 10 days to appeal the judge�s ruling.

For now, Allstate is back in the business of selling new policies.� The state says it will respond to the courts order sooner rather than later.�

Allstate says it will continue working with state regulators to produce the documents in question.� Allstate is one of five companies that the state Senate is asking to testify under oath early next month.�

Private college leaders say the governor�s higher education budget proposals would unfairly target about 15,000 students.� Governor Charlie Crist wants to eliminate the $3,000 Florida Residents Access Grant for first-time students.� The president of Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida says the proposed grant cut would hurt public institutions as well.

�Any student who chooses to go to one of my schools, one of the 28 schools, is in essence from their decision point saving the taxpayers money,” said ICUF President Ed Moore.� “If you take away the grant from them they�re likely to change their mind as to where they go.� They�re going to be seeking transfers to community colleges and state university�s publicly supported institutions.� Which are all over crowded now.� So from a long term policy decision this is really bad.�

Students that attend one of the three historically black colleges, Bethune-Cookman University, Florida Memorial University, and Edward Waters College, would not be affected by the proposed grant cuts.

Florida State University is looking at cutting a hundred faculty and staff positions. Now the University of South Florida is looking at layoffs as a result of a worsening state revenue picture. The cuts come just as Governor Charlie Crist unveiled a budget for next fall suggesting the universities should get more. We asked University Chancellor Mark Rosenberg if there was a disconnect in state spending policy.

�I don�t see the disconnect the governor is talking about next year, when Florida State and every other university we have is under pressure to find a way just to keep classes open for this year,” he said. “So the governor is looking at next year.� We still have questions to address budgetarily for this year.�

A new revenue estimate from state economists for the rest of this year and the bulk of next year will be made in March. The estimate is crucial for determining how much will need to be cut by universities and other parts of state government.
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The state upped the ante against Allstate insurance today, banning not just the sale of new auto policies..but all lines of insurance. The order comes 24 hours after the state announced the action. Phones have been ringing off the hook at agents offices, and as Mike Vasilinda tells us, an Allstate spokesperson says the situation is difficult.

Allstate agents were still selling insurance when the day began. But those sales ended just after lunch when the state filed its order blocking Allstate from selling not just new car insurance policies…but any new insurance at all, until the company turns over records requested by the state. A spokesman said the insurance commissioner decided to it didn�t make sense to ban just auto insurance sales.

�So he wants to send as strong a message as possible to indicate that he is committed to the consumers here in Florida,� Ed Domansky with the Office of Insurance Regulation said. �And to show Allstate that he means business and expects them to produce the documents.�

This Tallahassee Allstate office acknowledged that a lot of concerned customers were calling, looking for answers. John Cheney Jr. is wondering how long he may be out of business.

�I have five people employed here and if we do get shut down completely, obviously it would be hard to make a living selling insurance,� Cheney said.

Governor Charlie Crist called the suspension bold.

�The question that keeps going over in my mind is what do the have to hide? And so why are they not turning over these records?� Crist said.

Earlier in the day, an Allstate spokesman continued to say the action surprised the company.

Again, we look at this as an opportunity to tell our story about the kind of company we are here in Florida, the responsible business practices we adhere to,� Allstate spokesman Adam Shores said.

The office of Insurance Regulation said if the company was thought it could ignore state subpoenas…it was wrong.

Georgia Governor Sonny Purdue told Georgia lawmakers yesterday that he would not let other states stop Georgia from using water for development and growth. At issue is how much water Georgia can use from Lake Lanier. A record drought and reduced water flow into Florida is already having an impact on oyster harvests in Apalachicola. Florida Governor Charlie Crist says he is working for an equitable solution.

�The Governor is a friend of mine,� Crist said. �I�m going to do everything I can to help Florida and he should work hard to help Georgia. And I�m sure Governor Riley will do everything to help Alabama. It�s what each governor should do. In this situation, with the three states, we have to work together, to come to an agreement and I believe that we will , to make sure things work out best for all three states.�

The three governors met in November and promised to agree on a plan acceptable to all three states. Crist refused to comment specifically on Purdue�s remarks, saying he didn�t know the context in which they were made.

Governor Charlie Crist is recommending an increase in some high education funding in the coming budget, buy says he will oppose any efforts to increase tuition again next year. The recommendation comes as many colleges, including Florida State, are considering cutting as many as 100 faculty and staff to make ends meet in the current budget year. University Chancellor Mark Rosenberg says the Board of Governors is looking for budget solutions.

�What FSU is very concerned about is that they have a huge demand for admission and they don�t think they have the ability to meet that demand or worse that they�re going to have to cut both employees and faculty, even at the present levels,� Rosenberg said. �So we�re gonna sit down with FSU and work that out.�

The Chancellor says the Board of Governors may have to consider a tuition hike itself, beginning in the fall, if lawmakers and the Governor don�t come through. A law suit has yet to settle the question of whether the Board has the authority to raise tuition.

Governor Charlie Crist has added a new wrinkle to the property tax cut battle.� He says schools won�t be hurt if voters pass Amendment One on January 29th.� The governor unveiled his education budget proposal, calling for a billion more dollars in K through 12 spending.� As Chris Casquejo tells us, lawmakers will have the final word.

Hear it here: Governor Says Property Tax Cut Won�t Hurt Schools

Educators have come out strongly against the proposed property tax cut amendment.� A coalition of groups believes that schools could lose $1.5 billion over 5 years if the amendment passes.� Governor Charlie Crist is trying to head off those opponents.� He believes $138 million will offset the impact this year if voters pass Amendment One.

�I wanted to re-assure the teachers and the students of Florida that this administration is committed to not only fully fund education, but to enhance it by a billion dollars this year over last,� Gov. Crist said.

Among the proposals, an increase in funding per student of about $400, $467 million dollars for teacher bonuses and $847 million for new teachers and classrooms.

Lawmakers say they�ll consider the governor�s recommendations.� But what happens with the budget, is ultimately in their hands.

Some Democratic legislators appreciate the governor�s efforts, but say his numbers don�t add up.

�This does not go far enough in terms of approaching what is needed for public education and the significant impact, that if it passes, the property tax amendment would have,� said Rep.� Curtis Richardson of Tallahassee.

Lawmakers know that they�re in for some tough choices.� They�re already being asked to cut more than $2 billion from the budget.

By law, the governor has to release his full budget recommendations to lawmakers by February 4th.
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Governor Charlie Crist is recommending an increase in some higher education funding in the coming budget, buy says he will oppose any efforts to increase tuition again next year. The recommendation comes as many colleges, including Florida State, are considering cutting as many as 100 faculty and staff to make ends meet in the current budget year. University Chancellor Mark Rosenberg says the Board of Governor is looking for budget solutions.

�What FSU is very concerned about is that they have a huge demand for admission and they don�t think they have the ability to meet that demand or worse that they�re going to have to cut both employees and faculty, even at the present levels,” Rosenberg said.� “So we�re gonna sit down with FSU and work that out.�

The Chancellor says the Board of Governors may have to consider a tuition hike itself, beginning in the fall, if lawmakers and the governor don�t come through. A lawsuit has yet to settle the question of whether the Board has the authority to raise tuition.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue told Georgia lawmakers yesterday that he would not let other states stop Georgia from using water for development and growth. At issue is how much water Georgia can use from Lake Lanier.� A record drought and reduced water flow into Florida is already having an impact on oyster harvests in Apalachicola. Florida Governor Charlie Crist says he is working for an equitable solution.

�The governor�s a friend of mine,” Crist said.� “I�m going to everything I can to help Florida.� He should work hard to help Georgia, and I�m sure Governor Reilly will do everything to help Alabama.� That�s what each governor should do.� In this situation with the three states, we have to work together to come to an agreement and I believe that we will to make sure things work out for all three states.�

The three governors met in November and promised to agree on a plan acceptable to all three states. Crist refused to comment specifically on Perdue�s remarks, saying he didn�t know the context in which they were made.

Florida ranks 9th in bank robberies, and bankers say you can help cut the numbers down.� They�re asking customers to follow a new, voluntary �no hats, no hoods, no sunglasses� policy.� If customers refuse to take off the items, they won�t be denied service, but shown to an area with more security measures.� The program is not new.� Missouri started a similar one in 2002 and robberies fell by a third in the first year.� Law enforcement says robbers won�t be able to hide now.

�I can�t tell you over the course of my 30 years of law enforcement experience, how many bank surveillance photographs I�ve looked and they could have been my own son in that photograph and I wouldn�t have recognized them because of the disguises that they do use,� said the FBI’s Matt Pellegrino.

Nearly 40 percent of Florida�s bank robberies in 2007 involved the suspect wearing some type of disguise or mask.� 25 banking institutions have already started the �no hats, no hoods, no sunglasses� policy.