Here is what Congressman Matt Gaetz says, in an email that went out late last night:
Oil Crisis Requires Leadership; Not Photo-Op Politics
By: Representative Matt Gaetz
?Matt, I?m tired of the talk. I?m sick of meetings. Politicians come for photo-ops and nothing changes. BP won?t pay. My business needs help today or ten more people will be laid off next week. I just don?t know what I?m going to do??
These words of a local businessman have been ringing in my head for days. The economic data is staggering in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon explosion. Lodging occupancy rates are down roughly fifty percent. Restaurants have laid off nearly 10 percent of their workforce already. Property values are declining with consumer confidence in a downward spiral. We should be honest. Northwest Florida is in peril.
The human stories are even more compelling than numbers. I think about the line-cook now in need of work; the waitress whose tips are down by half; the fisherman in serious doubt about the future of an industry. More than ever before in Northwest Florida?s history, we need real solutions ? not feigned optimism and insincere pandering from politicians.
Like President Obama, Governor Crist has been a fixture on our beaches, but his proposed ?solution? to our suffering validates our frustration with traditional ?do-nothing? government at the federal and state level. Governor Crist has called the legislature into Special Session ? but not to discuss cleanup strategies, prevention techniques or economic recovery. Instead, we will be limited to discussing Florida?s long-term drilling policy through a constitutional amendment banning drilling forever.
The Governor?s agenda might seem relevant if Florida faced immanent risks from drilling. We don?t. In fact, our laws already ban drilling. Legislative leaders committed months ago that any expanded drilling was ?off the table? for the foreseeable future. I share that view. Besides, banning drilling will not add one more skimmer to the Gulf, assist in paying one more claim, or do anything to support our hard working local officials. It is pure politics in the absence of real leadership.
Florida should be united in a call for immediate action. We need more skimmers, BP accountability and stronger local control for emergency response. Instead of stranding businesses in the BP claims abyss, Florida should provide aggressive commercial tax relief to keep our economy afloat. Instead of forcing taxpayers to fork over payments inconsistent with the real value of their properties, we should frontload property tax relief and stick BP with the bill. Florida can ease the pressures of mounting unemployment compensation taxes and give local residents a real voice with claims advocates capable of cutting through the red tape. We can do these things without the feds.
Like many, I believe in limited government. But the government we do have should work effectively when crisis hits. Government should not skirt the challenges of problem solving by disguising a philosophical energy debate as a competent response to the Deepwater Horizon explosion. The people won?t buy it. I won?t partake in the charade.
When Governor Crist is ready to prioritize substance over style, I?m ready. When a special session is called to coordinate responses and build a climate for recovery, Northwest Floridians are hungry for action. We deserve nothing less.
When asked why economic recovery was not part of the Governor?s special session call he responded that economic concerns were,?not as timely? as re-banning drilling.
With all due respect, Governor, there?s a business owner I?d like you to meet. He?s seen the photo-ops. He is tired of the talk. This is the time to lead.
Matt Gaetz is the State Representative for District 4, including costal portions of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties. Representative Gaetz lives in Fort Walton Beach.
