Gov. Charlie Crist said Monday he wants a special legislative session soon -- maybe the week of May 24 -- to deal with two timely issues: a proposed constitutional ban on drilling for oil off Florida's coast and tax incentives for utilities to diversify and explore renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
Crist said the special session looks more likely after a phone conversation with Senate President Jeff Atwater.
"I'd like to do it in a couple of weeks," Crist told reporters at the Governor's Mansion. "Sooner's better than later. People are concerned, so why not now?"
The governor predicted getting at least 72 House members and 24 senators to vote for a drilling ban would be easy. "Now?" he said. "Who's going to vote against that?"
- Steve Bousquet, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Crist, was asked to include the ERA amendment if a special session was called. Copies of the letter went to all legislators and the media. The ERA has been introduced every year since 2003, and never is allowed to reach the floors for passage. 15 states have yet to ratify the ERA. Why? Beats me as all it says is that men and women are equal. This gives Crist an excellent opportunity to seperate himself from the conservatives who run the House and Senate, and take a stand on women's rights.
Denny Wood, www.dignity4disabled.com
Posted by: Denny R. Wood | May 10, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Charlie Crist's special session on offshore oil drilling spells DOOM for FL GOP.
Those who oppose the moratorium will be slaughtered in the media.
The blood bath will rival only that of the oil spill itself.
RPOF 2010 EPIC FAIL
Posted by: Seth Platt | May 11, 2010 at 08:54 AM
If Governor Crist can get Florida a ban on offshore drilling, I'd vote for him no matter what ticket he ran on, no matter for what office, he would be my all time "Hero."
And our sea and natural environment in Florida...our precious coastlines and beaches..would finally be protected!
Posted by: Diana DeVita | May 11, 2010 at 01:08 PM
Stop the oil addiction. Go for the clean, practically eternal energy from sun, wind and waves.
Posted by: Ross | May 11, 2010 at 03:37 PM
Wow, he is still alive? Haven't heard from him since he got married.
Posted by: J | May 11, 2010 at 10:25 PM
One more reason to vote for Rubio! Crist is taking advantage of the oil spill for political gain at our expense, just like Obama is taking advantage of the spill to try to force us to swallow his economy killing, freedom killing, cap and trade SCAM.
Even a six-month moratorium could cost 20,000-30,000 jobs in the Gulf Region. If HR 5626 and other measures are implemented, the ban could easily become permanent – destroying hundreds of thousands of jobs. Once the big rigs leave, most won’t be back for years, as they will be in high demand in counties that do want to drill.
Meanwhile China, Cuba and other countries will be drilling in our backyard, off Florida for example, using their rules and technologies, tapping into US reservoirs, and threatening our coasts.
Thinking Floridians will do all they can to get rid of devious and harmful politicians like Obama and Crist.
Posted by: Antonio Sosa, Florida | July 10, 2010 at 04:25 PM