2010 Special Session: Offshore Drilling

SINE DIE: July 20, 2010

• Watch the Florida Chamber's Daily Legislative Briefing.

• Download House Speaker Larry Cretul's remarks.

• Learn about the House of Representatives six workgroups.

Governor Charlie Crist has called for a special Legislative Session to be held July 20-23, 2010 to ban offshore oil drilling, a practice that is already banned.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce believes the Governor’s call for a special session is a misguided attempt to debate something that is already illegal in our state. Florida law currently bans offshore oil drilling, and a ban placed in the constitution would do nothing to prevent the next oil spill off of another state or in Federal waters.

“The Florida Chamber has been consistent with its position that Florida’s immediate focus should be on cleanup and helping businesses and individuals get back on their feet,” said David Hart, executive vice president for the Chamber. “In strongly-worded letters issued yesterday, that’s exactly what Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul are prepared to do.”

According to President Atwater and Speaker Cretul, the House and Senate will convene briefly next week as required under the Governor’s official call. However, neither body is expected to remain in session for any length of time nor or they expected to pass the Governor’s proposal to place a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot.

Instead, according to the leaders’ letter, they will convene a second special session in early September to focus on real relief for Florida communities impacted by the oil spill.

President Atwater and Speaker Cretul have agreed to establish a joint committee to review ideas and recommendations toward responsible legislation that can help in Florida’s overall recovery from the spill.

“I am glad we agree that productive legislation addressing the Gulf oil spill cannot be enacted during next week’s scheduled special session.”

– House Speaker Larry Cretul

Read Speaker Cretul's letter.

Read President Atwater's letter.

The Latest News

Oil Drilling Foes: Constitutional Ban More Reliable Than Law
Lakeland Ledger • July 10, 2010

Click here to read the full article.

"A special session to debate something already illegal is a complete waste of taxpayer dollars and time that could be spent developing a plan for economic recovery."

– Mark Wilson

President and CEO

Florida Chamber of Commerce

Special Session on Offshore Drilling Gets Mixed Reaction
Channel 10-WTVT (Tampa) • July 9, 2010

Click here to read the full article.

Watch David Hart's interview.

"It's already against the law to drill in Florida waters and a special session to debate this issue is just a waste of taxpayers' money."

– David Hart

Executive Vice President

Florida Chamber of Commerce

•	House Getting Ready to Reject Oil Drilling Ban (more)
	Orlando Sentinel's Central Florida Political Pulse Blog

•	Senate Looking to Expand Special Session (more)
	Sunshine State News

•	House and Senate Leaders Poised to Maneuver a Lid Over Special Session on Oil Drilling (more)
	St. Petersburg Times

•	Drill Foes: Current Ban is Not Sufficient (more)
	Ocala Star Banner

Resources

		• Visit our Gulf Coast Oil Spill Resources page
		• Read House Speaker Larry Cretul's response to Senator Atwater's letter.
		• Read Senate President Atwater's letter regarding the special session .
		• Read Governor Crist's Proclamation.