Florida GOP legislature likely to reject Crist's proposed drilling ban

seafan

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Jul-16-10 07:15 PM
Original message

Florida GOP legislature likely to reject Crist's proposed drilling ban

These bullies' days are numbered.

Republicans likely to reject Crist's proposed drilling ban

By LLOYD DUNKELBERGER
July 16, 2010

TALLAHASSEE - In a politically charged confrontation with a newly independent governor, Florida lawmakers appear ready to quickly reject Gov. Charlie Crist's call for a state constitutional amendment banning oil drilling near Florida's beaches.

House Speaker Larry Cretul told legislators Thursday to expect a "very short" stay in Tallahassee next week. Cretul criticized Crist's decision to call for a special legislative session, saying it does not "typify deliberation and responsible legislation."
If lawmakers fail to approve Crist's proposal, the governor has the option to call them back into another session. But, facing an Aug. 4 deadline to put the amendment on the November ballot and not being able to secure Republican votes in the House, Crist could face an insurmountable obstacle.

.....

Democrats condemned the speaker's apparent rejection of the amendment, noting the Republican-led House voted to repeal a law banning oil drilling near Florida's shoreline last year, although the measure died in the Senate.

House Democratic leader Franklin Sands of Weston accused Republican leaders of preparing to hold a gavel-and-go special session, which will cost taxpayers more than $50,000 a day.
"It would be an unconscionable dereliction of duties to ignore the opportunity we have this month to empower voters with a constitutional ban that takes the security and safety of our coastlines away from special interests and gives it to the people," Sands said.

.....

"It's very disappointing," said Eric Draper of Florida Audubon. "It's a shame that the Legislature is not willing to give the voters a chance to weigh in on this."

Draper also discounted arguments from legislative leaders that the amendment was not needed since state law already banned near-shore oil drilling.
"I think the evidence that our coast is not safe from oil drilling is found in what happened with BP and what happened in the Legislature last year," Draper said.

.....

Just so there's no confusion, this is what happened last year: Remember that "existing law" that this year's GOP cites as *proof* that a constitutional amendment against offshore drilling is unwarranted?

Well, this same GOP Legislature tried to overturn that law last year.

THAT is why we absolutely need a constitutional ban against offshore drilling. It's to guarantee Floridians that these greedy right wing extremist bastards cannot undo it legislatively whenever they feel like it.

At a hastily-called news conference, Crist said the session would be devoted to one issue � �a rifle shot,� he called it � to give the voters of Florida a say on drilling.

This has enraged the GOP that Governor Crist wants the single issue of an offshore drilling ban as the subject of next week's special legislative session, and not a mishmash of other issues lumped in with it. Why? Because a clear vote against this ban will expose these cockroaches to the wrath of the public.

This is the real GOP agenda here:

But House Republicans, who remain angry over Crist's decision to leave the Republican Party and his vetoes in the spring of major bills backed by GOP leaders, called Crist's proposal a "self-serving political stunt" aimed at helping his U.S. Senate campaign.

We must reject this Republican stranglehold over our legislature. Voting YES in November on Fair Districts Florida Amendments 5 and 6 and rejecting the GOP's poison pill Amendment 7 will advance us toward that goal enormously.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

HockeyMom

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri Jul-16-10 07:22 PM
Response to Original message

1. Cutting off these noses to spit there faces

I just came back from up North. NOBODY wants to go to Floreduh because of the oil spill despite all the ads and commercials saying the beaches are "safe".

Tourism is #1 here. They lose their tourists $s and they are sunk. No oil drilling will make up for it.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Orlandodem

(859 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Tue Jul-20-10 11:55 AM
Response to Reply #1

8. The lives of thousands of business people are at stake and the GOBP legislature

did NOTHING!!!

Remember in November.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

seafan

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jul-17-10 10:41 AM
Response to Original message

2. Florida Republicans expected to convene and adjourn without taking a vote on offshore drilling.

This is the style of backbiting, partisan animosity that the Republicans in the Florida legislature have for Governor Crist and the people.

The special session called by Governor Crist for a constitutional amendment to ban offshore drilling in Florida is slated for next week. Furious Republicans are expected to hold a lightning-fast gavel-and-go session, at a cost of $50,000 a day, with the intent of refusing to vote on the amendment.

Mary Ellen Klas, Lee Logan, Steve Bousquet and Cristina Silva report in the St. Petersburg Times:

July 17, 2010

TALLAHASSEE � Fearing a major victory for Gov. Charlie Crist, Florida Republican leaders are prepared to take drastic action � even blocking a historic vote on a constitutional amendment banning offshore oil drilling.

Legislators are expected to reluctantly convene a special session next week called by the governor, then swiftly reject a plan that would attract his supporters to the polls.

A survey of House Republicans shows the party's caucus is so deeply divided over the amendment that leaders fear it would be difficult for Republicans to stand up to Crist and vote against bringing the issue to the voters.

.....

''If we vote on it, I believe it will pass,'' said Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, a Miami Republican and majority whip, who last year supported a plan to open Florida waters from three to 10 miles off shore to oil and gas drilling.

He said that if he were voting on the constitutional ban, he would be ''leaning yes,'' but instead is angered that the governor called the session ''for selfish reasons.''

Legislators need 72 votes in the House and 24 votes in the Senate to put the amendment on the November ballot, but rather than take up the governor's proposal and soundly defeat it, the House is expected to convene and adjourn without taking a vote.

.....

Rep. Sandy Adams, R-Oviedo, wants them to at least vote on her bill to chastise Crist for wasting taxpayer money by calling for what she considers an unneeded session.

Rep. John Tobia, R-Satellite Beach, echoed the comments of many Republicans about Crist's proposal, calling it ''nothing more than a political stunt.''

Rep. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, said that while she supports putting the amendment on the ballot ''you have to question the governor's motives.''

Rep. Marcelo Llorente, R-Miami, said that while he would like to vote to put the amendment on the ballot, taxpayer money could have been better spent to ''address all those issues while we are up there.''

Tuesday's no-vote would mark a new low in the steadily deteriorating relationship between the former Republican governor and GOP lawmakers.

Since Crist abandoned the Republican Party in April and announced he is running for U.S. Senate as a non-party candidate against former House Speaker Marco Rubio, a Republican, and Democrats Kendrick Meek and Jeff Greene, he has hinted he would call a special session in time to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot by the Aug. 4 deadline.

But the sharply partisan House leadership stonewalled the governor, even refusing to answer his phone calls. Meanwhile, Senate leaders suggested they were open to a special session, especially one that would also provide economic relief to regions crippled by the oil disaster.

Crist instead scheduled the four-day session to deal with the constitutional amendment alone, saying there was no urgency to the economic issues.

''For them to put their animosity toward me above the will and what's right for the people of this state would be stunningly shortsighted,'' Crist told the Times/Herald.

And, of course, bringing up the rear of this contingent of ignorant, arrogant Republican fools:

''Safe offshore oil drilling ought not to be prohibited in our Constitution,'' said Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, who is also chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.

He acknowledged that the party has conducted a poll on the issue but the decision to not take a vote on the proposed amendment was not intended to offset popular support for a ban, but to give voters more time to determine the causes and consequences of the oil spill before amending the Constitution.

''Why rush into approving a constitutional amendment when we already have a statute that bans oil drilling,'' he said.

:eyes: :crazy:

John Thrasher, Jeb Bush hack, conveniently neglects to mention that his like-minded friends in the legislature tried to overturn that statute last year. We ain't having that, John.

John Thrasher, Jeb Bush's Senate enforcer

Because of your assault on public education in Florida, we're aiming to throw you out of our legislature in due course.

Rep. Clay Ford, a Gulf Breeze Republican: ..//.. By not allowing voters a voice on the oil ban, ''It may intensify the anti-incumbent feeling already out there,'' he said. ''It's sort of a calculated risk. I don't think it's worth taking that risk. Most of us are up for re-election.''

No $#*!, Sherlock.

So, who is REALLY playing politics here???

THAT, dear friends, is what these arrogant, self-absorbed power mongers fear. If they block consideration of a constitutional amendment next week to ban offshore drilling, their prospects of re-election might be tougher.

Here's how House Republicans contacted by the Times/Herald said they plan to vote on the proposed constitutional ban on oil drilling if it comes before them. Nearly all 44 House Democrats are expected to support the proposal.

Yes:

Rep. Marti Coley, Marianna

Rep. Faye Culp, Tampa

Rep. Greg Evers, Baker

Rep. Anitere Flores, Miami

Rep. Clay Ford, Gulf Breeze

Rep. Jim Frishe, St. Petersburg

Rep. Ed Homan, Tampa

Rep. Marcelo Llorente, Miami

Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Miami

Rep. Peter Nehr, Tarpon Springs

Rep. Jimmy Patronis, Panama City

Rep. J.C. Planas, Miami

Rep. Ron Schultz, Homosassa

Rep. Juan Zapata, Miami

No:

Rep. Sandy Adams, Oviedo

Rep. Dean Cannon, Winter Park

Rep. Larry Cretul, Ocala

Rep. Steve Crisafulli, Merritt Island

Rep. Chris Dorworth, Lake Mary

Rep. Rich Glorioso, Plant City

Rep. Eddy Gonzalez, Hialeah

Rep. Denise Grimsley, Lake Placid

Rep. Alan Hays, Umatilla

Rep. Ed Hooper, Clearwater

Rep. Mike Horner, Kissimmee

Rep. Mike Hudson, Naples

Rep. Kurt Kelly, Ocala

Rep. Paige Kreegel, Punta Gorda

Rep. Debbie Mayfield, Vero Beach

Rep. Seth McKeel, Lakeland

Rep. Dave Murzin, Pensacola

Rep. Pat Patterson, DeLand

Rep. Scott Plakon, Longwood

Rep. Ralph Poppell, Vero Beach

Rep. Ron Renuart, Ponte Verda Beach

Rep. Julio Robaina, Miami

Rep. Matt Gaetz, Fort Walton Beach

Rep. Will Snyder, Stuart

Rep. John Tobia, Satellite Beach

Rep. Will Weatherford, Wesley Chapel

Rep. Mike Weinstein, Jacksonville

Rep. Rich Workman, Melbourne

Declined to answer/unsure:

Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, Fort Lauderdale

Rep. Adam Hasner, Delray Beach

Rep. Doug Holder, Sarasota

Rep. John Legg, Port Richey

Rep. Marlene O'Toole, Lady Lake

Rep. David Rivera, Miami

Rep. Rob Schenck, Spring Hill

Rep. Kelli Stargel, Lakeland

Could not be reached:

Rep. Janet Adkins, Fernandina Beach

Rep. Kevin Ambler, Tampa

Rep. Tom Anderson, Dunedin

Rep. Gary Aubuchon, Cape Coral

Rep. Steve Bovo, Hialeah

Rep. Jennifer Caroll, Fleming Island

Rep. Carl Domino, Jupiter

Rep. Brad Drake, Eucheeanna

Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, Orlando

Rep. Erik Fresen, Miami

Rep. Tom Grady, Naples

Rep. Dorothy Hukill, Port Orange

Rep. Charles McBurney, Jacksonville

Rep. Bryan Nelson, Apopka

Rep. Steve Precourt, Orlando

Rep. Bill Proctor, St. Augustine

Rep. Lake Ray, Jacksonville

Rep. Ron Reagan, Bradenton

Rep. Ken Roberson, Port Charlotte

Rep. Nick Thompson, Fort Myers

Rep. Charles Van Zant, Keystone Heights

Rep. Trudi Williams, Fort Myers

Rep. John Wood, Winter Haven

Yes only if it is temporary ban

Rep. Baxter Troutman, Winter Haven

Throw these bastards OUT.

(all emphases added)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

seafan

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jul-19-10 10:11 PM
Response to Reply #2

5. BP means Bitter Politics, as GOP leaders and Crist battle over drilling ban and oil spill

BP means Bitter Politics, as GOP leaders and Crist battle over drilling ban and oil spill, July 19, 2010

"I think it's completely unnecessary," said Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, in a view expressed by others. "There's absolutely no reason we have to go and create a law for something that's already unlawful."

Dozens of Republican legislators who supported Crist when he was a Republican are now openly accusing him of political grandstanding. Some are still seething because Crist vetoed their projects in the new state budget, and now they say he is wasting taxpayer money by convening a special session for something they say is not needed because, by statute, near-shore drilling is already against the law in Florida.

Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, a moderate who's widely respected as someone who does not engage in rank partisanship, said: "I see this as more political than policy-driven. � I would rather not have it in our Constitution, because we have the statutory protection."

Advocates of a constitutional amendment say the current ban is only as permanent as the next legislative session. Indeed, in 2009 the House passed a bill that would have opened the shoreline to drilling.

Miraculously, the measure died in the Senate before coming up for a vote. But these creeps never mention THAT.

That's why we need a constitutional amendment. A mere *legislative statute* that is under continued assault by Republicans every year is not enough.

The Florida Senate was slightly less extremist a year ago, when Senator Jim King (R-Jacksonville) was alive. Then, last September, John Thrasher muscled his way into the the late Senator King's Senate seat with the help of Jeb Bush. The Senate is now more extreme. They'll try to kill this protective legislation again next year, no doubt about it. John Thrasher will be leading the charge, along with Senator Mike ('Drill Baby Drill') Haridopolos, who is slated to become Senate President later this year.

Senator John Thrasher

That is, unless the people vote to amend our constitution and drop kick John Thrasher out of office this fall.

The only reason the statute wasn't killed last year is that the measure died in the Senate without being brought up for consideration. We must have more ironclad protection against drilling, and not leave it up to the whims of an extremist Republican-occupied legislature that does not represent the majority of voters in Florida.

Republicans control almost two-thirds of the Legislature and three-fifths of U.S. House seats, but registered Republicans are about 36 percent of the electorate.

(Credit SPT)

"They put the interests of special interests or their party ideology ahead of what's right for the people," (Governor) Crist said. "They've lost their way. They've completely lost their way, and the people know it. And if they go down this path, they'll demonstrate it in regrettable glory."

.....

Crist also predicts a voter backlash against lawmakers who decline to put the drilling ban on the November ballot.

"Who in their right mind will argue that the people shouldn't have the right to vote on this?" Crist asked. "It's absolutely an unconscionable position. And if that's what they do, they'll find out in November."

Recalling a recent visit in the Panhandle, Crist said he gained another explanation for why the proposed constitutional amendment is needed. The advice was from a Democrat, as much of Crist's advice is these days � in this case from Bob Graham, a former governor and U.S. senator.

"Number one, it will say that Florida is not an oil state, and it will make that statement, loud and clear," Crist said. "Florida's a place where we believe in protecting our beaches � and I got that from Senator Graham."

Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, agreed there should be a special session this week, but he wanted it to focus on economic relief for his northwest Florida constituents, not to amend the Constitution. Gaetz echoed the criticism that Crist is using the amendment to attract oil drilling opponents to the polls in hopes they will also vote for Crist for the U.S. Senate.

.....

Gaetz, recovering from a bout with pneumonia and a hospital stay, agrees the animosity against Crist is rampant within Republican legislative ranks.

"The governor has declared war on the Republican principles he said he believed in, and so it's only natural that Republicans are hurt and angry. But even if I've got 100 tubes in my chest, I'm going to crawl to the polls and vote against Charlie Crist for U.S. Senate," Gaetz said. "But right now, I represent 173 miles of coastline and over 400,000 people, and their needs should not be part of some political equation."

The special session starts tomorrow.

Don't blink. It's predicted to be gavel-in-gavel-out, at $50,000 a day to taxpayers.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Octafish

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jul-17-10 11:18 AM
Response to Original message

3. How can anyone in good conscience support the GOP?

Oh. Just read that. "Good conscience." Heh heh heh.

GOBP, courtesy of DUer Bozita

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Scurrilous

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Sat Jul-17-10 11:35 AM
Response to Original message

4. K & R

:thumbsup:

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

seafan

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Tue Jul-20-10 11:10 AM
Response to Original message

6. St. Pete Times: Florida Republicans put Big Oil over clean beaches

The St. Petersburg Times asks: 'Why are they afraid to let Floridians vote?'

My answer:

It's because a small faction of extremist Republicans have commandeered our state legislature (Senate since 1994/House since 1996), driven by a zealously conservative, authoritarian governor (1998-2006), and bolstered at the federal level by the same extremist faction on the US Supreme Court on December 12, 2000.

From the St. Petersburg Times editorial page:

Gov. Charlie Crist called the Legislature into special session Tuesday to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to ban oil drilling in state waters. Republican leaders don�t want you to vote. They don�t even want to let lawmakers vote on placing the amendment on the ballot.

July 20, 2010

Senate President Jeff Atwater, incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, House Speaker Larry Cretul, incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon. (photo credit: St. Pete Times)

Jeff Atwater

Senate president

Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, is running for chief financial officer. He wants your votes for statewide office, but he won't push the Senate to let you vote on oil drilling?

Mike Haridopolos

Incoming Senate president

Haridopolos, R-Melbourne, supported more drilling before the BP spill and pushed to lift the ban in state law. Now he has switched positions. How can voters be sure he won't switch again after the election?

Larry Cretul

House speaker

Cretul, R-Ocala, refused to listen to pleas to change the teacher tenure bill, which Crist vetoed. Now he's not listening on oil drilling. He's not seeking re-election. Will lawmakers stand up to the lame duck?

Dean Cannon

Incoming House speaker

Cannon, R-Winter Park, was a strong drilling advocate and passed a bill last year to lift the ban in state law. He says he won't try again. So why does he oppose allowing voters to decide whether to put the ban into the Constitution?

Much more detail below.

Florida GOP legislature likely to reject Crist's proposed drilling ban, July 16, 2010

Thrasher denies 'quid pro quo' in blocking a vote on oil amendment, July 17, 2010

BP means Bitter Politics, as GOP leaders and Crist battle over drilling ban and oil spill, July 19, 2010

Special session begins at noon on July 20, 2010.

It's high noon in Tallahassee.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Orlandodem

(859 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Tue Jul-20-10 11:39 AM
Response to Original message

7. The Speaker of the House wouldn't even allow debate!!!

No voting. No debating.

The Florida GOBP is for Big Oil, not the people!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Tue May 07th 2024, 07:00 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.