Special Session on Offshore Drilling Gets Mixed Reaction

July 9, 2010
By First Coast News

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Charlie Crist is getting mixed reactions over his decision to call a special session on offshore oil drilling.

The governor is calling lawmakers into session later this month to focus on a constitutional amendment that would ban offshore drilling in Florida waters.

He wants a constitutional ban on offshore drilling.

Crist’s decision to call a special session on the issue sets up an intriguing showdown with Republican lawmakers opposed to such a constitutional amendment.

The governor says let the people decide.

“It would seem to me that it would be very difficult to be opposed to allowing the people that we all work for to make this call about their constitution.”

Damien Filer of Progress Florida applauds the governor for calling a special session. “It’s about time that the people we elect to represent us did something about it.”

It’s been nearly three months since the spill started spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico and Filer says state leaders must take action against one of the greatest threats Florida has faced.

“I think we need to get something accomplished and if we can accomplish a permanent ban on near-shore drilling in Florida then I think we’ve accomplished something meaningful.”

Critics argue a special session is not needed because Florida law already bans drilling in state waters. The Florida Chamber of Commerce wants lawmakers to focus instead on helping businesses and people who have been hurt by the oil spill.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President David Hart said . Crist has a misplaced focus on the issue.

“It’s already against the law to drill in Florida waters and a special session to debate this issue is just a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

Florida’s main priority should be cleaning its pristine beaches, protecting tourism and offering tax breaks to businesses in the Panhandle, said Hart.

But Filer argues the BP oil spill is a cautionary tale and it remains to be seen if Florida will take heed.

The special legislative session is scheduled for July 20 through the 23.

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