Thank you, educators
Posted: August 26, 2010

Last month, I was endorsed by the Florida Education Association and the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. I have received the support of numerous organizations and individuals throughout my time in public service, but few are as important as a formal endorsement from public school teachers and support staff. I’m proud to have their backing and look forward to being a strong voice for them in Tallahassee for two more years.

Not surprising, but still frustrating
Posted: August 17, 2010

With the Deepwater Horizon oil well finally plugged, poll results released by the St. Peterbsurg Times show a drop in support for a ban on oil drilling in Florida waters. This was to be expected, but is no less frustrating. The article accurately noted that this shift in public opinion could “embolden” the Republican Leadership in the Florida Legislature. If past actions are any indication, I am certain it will.

Politicians, especially in Tallahassee, rely on the public’s short attention span in order to propose and pass bad bills without much consequence. They know that as events begin to fall off the front pages, they also begin moving to the back of everyone’s minds. I’ve witnessed this behavior by Florida Republicans over the past four years.

The truth is stopping the leak does not signal an end to this disaster. Oil and toxins are still present, harming wildlife, negatively impacting restaurants, hotels, and other businesses, and destroying the quality and way of life for so many individuals.

The full effect of this crisis may not be known for a generation or more, which is why I urge Floridians to not let their convictions and passion on this issue subside, for it’s only a matter of time before some of my colleagues again decide that oil drilling within eyesight is a good idea. It’s not.

We all agree that we must end our addiction to foreign oil. Doing so will have positive national security implications. However, we will not accomplish that goal by embracing fossil fuels in our own backyard. There simply isn’t enough oil near our shores to make a difference. Further, oil that is recovered does not necessarily remain in Florida or even in America. It belongs to ‘Big Oil’, like BP, and gets sold to the highest bidder on the open market.

If we’re serious about ending our addiction to foreign oil, strengthening our national security, getting people back to work, building a new economic engine, and doing something positive for future generations of Floridians, the Sunshine State can no longer remain the largest and most populated state in the country without a renewable portfolio standard.

My floor speech
Posted: July 20, 2010

In my hand is the now infamous Willis Report, a report ordered by the Leadership of this House, and paid for by Florida Taxpayers.

This report downplayed the risks of major oil spills and overstated the energy industry’s ability to contain the damage from such incidents, but not without this disclaimer:

Quote: “Actual outcomes could vary significantly from Willis’s estimates.” Unquote.

And so they have.

The cost of the report was $200,000, or approximately 5 times the cost of today’s session. Like most of you, I hate to see government waste and a misuse of taxpayer money, whether it be a report, or a special session.

Had this Chamber never passed a bill to drill for oil in state waters, I would have more faith in you to do the right thing going forward. Governor Crist would have more faith. Floridians would have more faith.

Candidly, the Leadership in this room is no longer trusted on this issue. Now I am not a fan of using and abusing our Constitution. It’s been done too much lately, and not by Democrats. Amending it should be saved for rare, special circumstances. This is one of them.

Putting this on the ballot tells not just Floridians, but citizens around the world, that we take our economy, our environment, and our way of life seriously. It preserves this beautiful place for future generations. It gives very real comfort to all Floridians, business owners, hoteliers and Realtors who have been negatively impacted by the current spill.

It will finally signal that we’re ready to embrace the future of energy production, which will mean a more diverse economy.

Members, this is a golden opportunity. I ask you that we not squander it because of politics and posturing.

Thank you.

HJR 7C
Posted: July 15, 2010

I am proud to announce that I have just filed HJR 7C, “Prohibition of Oil and Natural Gas Exploration, Drilling, Extraction, and Production in Coastal Waters: Proposes amendment to s. 7, Art. II of State Constitution to prohibit oil & natural gas exploration, drilling, extraction, & production in coastal waters & to exempt transportation of oil & gas products produced outside of such waters”.

Thanks to Rep. Keith Fitzgerald for being my partner on this, and we look forward to welcoming 118 co-sponsors in the House.

FINALLY
Posted: July 08, 2010

On May 6th, I stood on St. Pete Beach alongside my friend Rep. Keith Fitzgerald , a Democrat from Sarasota, and urged Governor Charlie Crist to call a special session of the Florida Legislature so that we could pass a resolution constitutionally banning oil exploration and drilling from Florida’s territorial waters. Such a resolution will then empower Florida’s voters come November, when they can vote to put the language into our constitution. For the sake of our beautiful state, its economy, environment, and our way of life, I am very pleased that Gov. Crist has heeded our call by announcing a July 20-23 session in Tallahassee, where we intend to present the very language we drafted and announced two months ago.

I strongly believe that placing amendments into our constitution ought to be a rare and special occurrence. This is such a time.

Where's the Chamber?
Posted: June 24, 2010

In today’s paper, St. Petersburg Area Chamber President John Long says the Tampa Bay Rays leaving town would “really impact everyone.” While I agree with John Long on that point, and am pleased to see our Chamber continually weigh in on such an important issue, I must express disappointment in the Chamber for its failure to weigh in on the issue of near-shore oil drilling, just a few miles off our coast.

I’ve met with John and members of his board twice, both before and after the disaster in the Gulf, yet they still fail to understand the economic and environmental impact this oil spill has had and the impact a future oil spill could have on the very economy and business interests they are supposed to represent.

As the CEO of the Chamber, one of John Long’s jobs is to protect and promote our local economy, and in doing so, I would expect him to encourage the Chamber to join the many other Chambers, businesses, cities and counties around Florida who have taken a formal position against oil drilling.

John is right; baseball matters, but losing it won’t destroy our way of life.