Florida Lawmakers in D.C. Want Amendment Banning Drilling

[tekisui]

Source: Tampabay.com

Eleven members of the Florida delegation in Washington have sent a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist today strongly urging he call a special session on a proposed constitutional amendment to ban offshore drilling. Only one Republican, Miami Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, signed on.

"Earlier this month, you offered Floridians hope that this horrible tragedy may be something from which we can gain wisdom. You said a special legislative session would be called to consider a proposed constitutional amendment to ban oil drilling within sight of Florida’s beaches," the letter reads. (full text in jump)
May 25, 2010

Dear Gov. Crist,

The oil leak that is spewing millions of gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico undoubtedly will be the worst in U.S. history. That’s what Carol Browner, assistant to the president for energy and climate change, said in a television interview just this morning.

For Florida, it may yet mean full or partial destruction of the world’s third largest coral reef in the Florida Keys and a devastating hit to Florida’s beaches and tourism-driven economy.

Earlier this month, you offered Floridians hope that this horrible tragedy may be something from which we can gain wisdom. You said a special legislative session would be called to consider a proposed constitutional amendment to ban oil drilling within sight of Florida’s beaches.

But that was more than two weeks ago. We are troubled that only yesterday you said you still are just pursuing it. Governor, you have the authority to call the Legislature back to Tallahassee.

We urge you to do so, because every reasonable lawmaker should re-examine the safety claims and promises of riches by Big Oil in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon spill.

We’re confident that given a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November Floridians will make the right choice for our state.

Sincerely,

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson
Rep. Alcee Hastings
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Rep. Corrine Brown
Rep. Kendrick Meek
Rep. Alan Grayson
Rep. Ted Deutch
Rep. Ron Klein
Rep. Kathy Castor
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Rep. Suzanne Kosmas


http://blogs.tampabay.com/buzz/2010/05/florida-lawmakers-in-dc-want-amendment-banning-drilling.html

[HockeyMom]

1. Hypocrites

They keep telling everyone here, "Everything in the Gulf is FINE." "It isn't going to reach here."

[nashville_brook]

4. that's not been Nelson's attitude at all -- he's apoplectic.

[Scurrilous]

2. Neither of the Diaz-Balart bros. signed?

No surprise there.

[ixion]

3. Too little, and FAR too late

I'm afraid. :(