The FL House is on a GOP power drunk this week. Let's hope the Senate prevails.
WASHINGTON – Oil companies could drill closer to Florida's west coast under legislation passed late Thursday by the U.S. House, but the bill appears almost certain to die in the Senate.
Seven Florida Republicans joined the majority in a 237-to-187 vote to open parts of the eastern Gulf of Mexico and much of the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic coastlines to oil rigs.
Oceana, an ocean preservation group, called it a "handout to Big Oil," but supporters said the bill would create jobs and help pay for a $260 billion transportation bill moving through the House. They say Florida would get 37.5 percent of the royalties that energy companies would pay for drilling near its waters.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/fl-offshore-drilling-florida-20120217,0,6265041.story