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Lawmakers Prepare for Special Session on Oil Spill Recovery

August 6, 2010 - Florida lawmakers are preparing to return to Tallahassee for a special session next month on the state's response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf. The Republican majority in the Legislature spurned Gov. Charlie Crist's proposal to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot to ban oil and gas drilling in state waters. Crist called for a special session last month on the amendment but lawmakers adjourned the session in less than an hour without discussing the issue. Now, the leaders are calling their own special session to work on recovery from the spill and economic compensation for businesses and individuals affected by the disaster.

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Six different workgroups are putting together a legislative response plan covering a range of issues related to the spill.  The workgroups are evaluating disaster response and the immediate resources needed.  They’ll also look at monetary compensation in both the public and private sectors, identify economic recovery opportunities and review the state’s criminal and civil penalties in environmental disasters.  Lead coordinator for the House’s response plan, is Republican State Representative Gary Aubuchon of Cape Coral.
He says the August 31st deadline will be tight, but necessary.
”There are people that are hurting, there are businesses across the state and in the panhandle that are suffering as a result of the Deepwater Horizon spill,” Aubuchon said “So, while it is a very aggressive deadline, I believe it is a very important deadline as we need to bring relief or help coordinate relief to these businesses and individuals as soon as possible.”
Aubuchon says he’ll be pushing to use the spill as a tool to promote more development of alternative energy sources in Florida. 

 

 

 

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