Crist has said he has the support of Panhandle legislators, but legislative leaders in areas so far unaffected by the spill have been uncooperative.St. Petersburg Times | tampabay.com | Know it now.
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Beach Fanatic
Well they better start being cooperative 
Thanks for the article. I hope they reinstate FL solar rebate at same time. I wrote Marti Coley and actually heard back today. Surprise!
Thanks for the article. I hope they reinstate FL solar rebate at same time. I wrote Marti Coley and actually heard back today. Surprise!
Beach Fanatic
I heard on NPR that Crist was still looking for someone to sponsor in the House. If he has the support of panhandle leaders, why aren't any of our representatives willing to become a sponsor? It's easy to say you support something but no one seems willing to oppose Dean Cannon, incoming Speaker.
Beach Lover
Is calling a special session for this really necessary?
A special session for the Florida Legislature costs $40000 per day. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/crist-calls-special-session-july-20-24-to-792858.html
This money in a time where there is not enough state funds to go around could be better spent.
As an alternative I believe that Governor Crist place restrictions on drilling that would prevent drilling off Florida shores until the next Legislative Session and then the legislature could place the item on the ballot for a constitutional amendment without having to waste the money on a special session? I know that option would not gain Governor Crist who just last year supported offshore drilling any votes.
A special session for the Florida Legislature costs $40000 per day. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/crist-calls-special-session-july-20-24-to-792858.html
This money in a time where there is not enough state funds to go around could be better spent.
As an alternative I believe that Governor Crist place restrictions on drilling that would prevent drilling off Florida shores until the next Legislative Session and then the legislature could place the item on the ballot for a constitutional amendment without having to waste the money on a special session? I know that option would not gain Governor Crist who just last year supported offshore drilling any votes.
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Beach Fanatic
$40,000 looks like small change compared to the $20,000,000,000+ in damages caused by the oil spill.
Beach FanaticAuthor
Is calling a special session for this really necessary?
A special session for the Florida Legislature costs $40000 per day. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/crist-calls-special-session-july-20-24-to-792858.html
This money in a time where there is not enough state funds to go around could be better spent.
As an alternative I believe that Governor Crist place restrictions on drilling that would prevent drilling off Florida shores until the next Legislative Session and then the legislature could place the item on the ballot for a constitutional amendment without having to waste the money on a special session? I know that option would not gain Governor Crist who just last year supported offshore drilling any votes.
The short answer is that you can't trust the lawmakers to stand up to the oil lobby.
Draw a clear line in the sand
Florida residents do not want near-shore drilling, but on this issue, their representatives can't be trusted.
The pro-oil lobby is strong in Tallahassee. The existing prohibition against drilling in Florida waters could easily be changed.
That's why Gov. Charlie Crist is right to call a special session to ask the Legislature to give voters a chance in November to put a drilling ban in the state constitution.
In a more perfect world, such a safeguard would be unnecessary for waters up to 10 miles from shore. But in a perfect world, oil from a distant drilling disaster wouldn't be washing up on the Gulf coast after an accident that the oil lobbyists only a few months ago insisted was impossible.
Of course, no one will dare push drilling now. But the oil industry, you can be sure, will bide its time and try again when the opportunity is ripe. Remember, just a year ago the industry launched a lavishly financed propaganda campaign, and the state House rushed through a measure that would have allowed drilling immediately off Florida's shores without allowing public scrutiny or debate. Fortunately, Senate President Jeff Atwater demanded closer examination and refused to take up the bill.
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Beach Fanatic
Live by the sword, die by the sword
LA & MS tried to have their cake & eat it too, that is, they wanted all the advantages of oil, fishing & tourism for their costal regions. In Morgan City, LA, there is an annual Shrimp and Petroleum Festival?no joke!
Florida rejected offshore drilling in favor of tourism, but we're suffering from the decisions of our sister states.
Those who live by the sword (oil), die by the sword (oil).
LA & MS tried to have their cake & eat it too, that is, they wanted all the advantages of oil, fishing & tourism for their costal regions. In Morgan City, LA, there is an annual Shrimp and Petroleum Festival?no joke!
Florida rejected offshore drilling in favor of tourism, but we're suffering from the decisions of our sister states.
Those who live by the sword (oil), die by the sword (oil).
Beach Fanatic
I am glad Charlie has the good sense to not be assocoated with a "Party" dominated by and associated with the likes of Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh.
Beach Fanatic
Alpha Crab, this is politics pure and simple, I don't care what your personal belief or politcal persuasion may be. Charlie is merely trying to grab votes. If you really believe Charlie Crist would not still be a Republican candidate it he thought he could win by being so, as the old proverbial saying goes, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell ya.
Beach Fanatic
So does this mean that people are not allowed to switch parties? Maybe he's "seen the light". I switched parties.
Beach Fanatic
So does this mean that people are not allowed to switch parties? Maybe he's "seen the light". I switched parties.And walked into the darkness.
SoWal Insider
or walked out of it.
Beach Fanatic
And walked into the darkness.
Very funny Mr Andy!!
SoWal Expert
I think the fact that a special session costs us $40k a day we don't have seems a little ridiculous.
Exactly why does it cost that much? Aren't people on salary? Can someone break that down?
Exactly why does it cost that much? Aren't people on salary? Can someone break that down?
Beach FanaticAuthor
I think the fact that a special session costs us $40k a day we don't have seems a little ridiculous.
Exactly why does it cost that much? Aren't people on salary? Can someone break that down?
It's been broken down to the penny millions of times by Capital Press Corps reporters, I don't remember all the details, but it includes utilities that are not normally used...travel expenses, staff (many of whom are not full time, they only work during Session), etc., etc. Part time legislators are not paid all that much--but the perks are good and when they have to work more than their "normal" 60 days a year, it gets expensive
SoWal Expert
The reason I asked was because I think politicians can do a lot of belt tightening and choose not to. IMO many of their constituents should love to know that there is money in the budget for politician's per diems, but not for children's schools etc.
Beach FanaticAuthor
The reason I asked was because I think politicians can do a lot of belt tightening and choose not to. IMO many of their constituents should love to know that there is money in the budget for politician's per diems, but not for children's schools etc.
Oh, I totally agree. The last figure I saw for the cost of the regular Session in Florida was $186 million; more than Texas and it's a much larger state.
We pay for all their living expenses while they are in TLH...and yet, there is no money to fund libraries or buy enough textbooks or computers for classrooms!
and don't even get me started on how woefully underfunded programs for the disabled and elderly are...
the entire process is pretty pathetic IMO.
Beach Fanatic
If the special session would result in a moratorium on oil drilling in Fla waters, it would be well worth many times $40,000.
Beach Lover
The short answer is that you can't trust the lawmakers to stand up to the oil lobby.
Truthfully I don't trust politicians at all but I do know that any time they meet bad things can happen. This special session might get a constitutional ammendment on the ballet or it might not but it will use dollars that the state does not have. The current prohabition against near shore drilling cannot change as long as the legislature is not meeting. It's the old idea that when the legislature is in session bad things happen.
Beach FanaticAuthor
The short answer is that you can't trust the lawmakers to stand up to the oil lobby.
Truthfully I don't trust politicians at all but I do know that any time they meet bad things can happen. This special session might get a constitutional ammendment on the ballet or it might not but it will use dollars that the state does not have. The current prohabition against near shore drilling cannot change as long as the legislature is not meeting. It's the old idea that when the legislature is in session bad things happen.
But, really, it is up to each of us as citizens to make our voices heard. The oil lobby has deep pockets and can make quite an impact on the legislature..and not many of the Members are wiling to go against the influence of money and power. For example, only one NW Florida legislator, Dr. Peaden from Crestview, cared enough about the Gulf of Mexico to be against the drilling...before the Disaster. The others just believed whatever the oil companies told them and took the campaign money...just like in Washington, and La. and Texas, and Alaska, etc--I wanted to ask Senator Gaetz Sr. (if he had been willing to meet with us, in March) if there was anythingprecious enough to him that would make him stand on principle against a monied group....
IMO it is the politician who will speak truth to power and stand fast with some principle, I can trust. Even if I don't agree with the principle or the politics, I can trust that person because of the character, integrity and consistency they display.
The converse is also true. The key is being able to tell the difference.
But, as citizens of this country it is our responsibility and obligation to stand up to the politicians and make our voices heard...not enough people do that these days IMO.
Beach Lover
I have voted for Senator Peadon in the past and will continue to do so in the future if he decides to run. Thanks for your opinion on the Senator that represents the north end of Walton County unfortunatly I cannot say many nice things about the Senator for South Walton. Most polititions will vote for whatever they beleave will get them re-elected and have very few ideals that they will stand behind. I am very jaded and do not trust polititions to do what is right. In this case I see the calling of the special session as a means for our good Governor to garner votes. There is a current ban on near shore drilling this will stay in place until the legislature changes the rules. If we keep on our Representatives than next year during the regular legislative session the amendment would be put on the ballot. Yes that means over a year wait to see the amendment but the rush now by the Governor just seems more like a political ploy to garner votes and be able to say he did something. To me it smells.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I have voted for Senator Peadon in the past and will continue to do so in the future if he decides to run. Thanks for your opinion on the Senator that represents the north end of Walton County unfortunatly I cannot say many nice things about the Senator for South Walton. Most polititions will vote for whatever they beleave will get them re-elected and have very few ideals that they will stand behind. I am very jaded and do not trust polititions to do what is right. In this case I see the calling of the special session as a means for our good Governor to garner votes. There is a current ban on near shore drilling this will stay in place until the legislature changes the rules. If we keep on our Representatives than next year during the regular legislative session the amendment would be put on the ballot. Yes that means over a year wait to see the amendment but the rush now by the Governor just seems more like a political ploy to garner votes and be able to say he did something. To me it smells.
Well, I certainly understand the jaded part...politics and legislation is a messy business -- but, our system works better than many others and we certainly have more freedom in this country than many others, so I am not ready to give up on it yet.;-)
As far as Crist goes, I have often disagreed with his positions on things, but I have watched him serve Florida in many positions, and overall, his record is pretty good.
I especially like the way he has stood up to the special interests: the insurance lobby, the prison system; the education community in past years; the Republican Party machine; now, it seems he is ready to take on the oil industry special interests.
If you look at him over the years, the one common denominator has been when he is convinced something threatens the people of Florida, he will do something even if it goes against the "conventional wisdom" of the moment. I know that sounds like a political sound bite, but it does seem to be the truth in his case. He often has taken too long to come to the "right" decision IMO, but many times he has taken a stand.
As far as the Special Session goes, he may get some political gain from his stand and he may not. It is a very risky move. Without the Legislature on board, he can call the session, but he can't make them vote, so nothing may happen.
For me, it is important that he is taking a stand that is risky--the money will be worth the risk if he can get it done. A year is a very long time -- people's attention span is very short and who knows what might happen before then. Better to strike while the disaster is foremost in our mind.
And, so what if he gets political points--he will have earned them if he can pull this off. And, our beautiful Gulf Coast will have a better chance of surviving.
When it is all said and done, I do believe he loves Florida and has tried to do more good than harm to the state and its citizens. I wish he had had more vision about the oil drilling and done something sooner and while I do not agree with many of his policies or his principles, I do respect that he has some.
Can't say that for many of the other elected officials presently in this game.
SoWal Insider
I have mixed feelings about Crist, but overall I think he'd be 'ok' as our senator. His job in the capital has been a mixed bag. Property tax changes were a big plus for example, but on the flip side he's made worse the impending financial crisis brewing at citizens, and he's failed to use his veto pen often enough, both of which helped to balloon the state's spending. He tends to vote based on polls rather than principal, which is better than reps who fail to represent in their voting. I also wonder how influenced he'll be by special interests and his party's wishes. All-in-all, not the strongest leader we have seen in our state capital, but probably better than most.
Beach Fanatic
If the session is about energy then why not think outside the box and teleconference the entire thing. I believe Glenda or Scooterbug said something along these lines.
Just play like we are all in different galaxies and that we have to share ideas and vote from a distance. Heck, you could do the entire darn thing on twitter or FB!
Just play like we are all in different galaxies and that we have to share ideas and vote from a distance. Heck, you could do the entire darn thing on twitter or FB!
Beach Crab
I am glad Charlie has the good sense to not be assocoated with a "Party" dominated by and associated with the likes of Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh.
First of all, Charlie doesn't have good sense as you say. He's an opportunist. The party doesn't want him so all of a sudden gained good sense and left them to run as an independent.
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