Print Version

TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued the following response to the Governor's call for a special Legislative session:

"The most pressing issue currently facing Florida's leaders is the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its impacts on our state’s struggling economy and sensitive environment. Unfortunately, Governor Crist's call for a special session fails to address the real actions we must take to help Floridians and Florida businesses in critical, immediate need.

"While I remain opposed to near shore drilling, it is unnecessary to amend our Constitution given the current ban in place on drilling off Florida’s coast.

"Florida is suffering from record high unemployment and the impacts of the oil spill are compounding our economic challenges and hitting our tourism and coastal industries especially hard. If the Florida Legislature is going to spur into action in response to this crisis, let’s focus on the actions that would most benefit impacted businesses and residents immediately and in the long-term.

"Right now, Panhandle residents need immediate and innovative ways to protect themselves and their livelihoods, to protect Florida businesses and their employees, and to protect the only way of life many Floridians know. The Legislature should look at a variety of tax and regulatory incentives to attract tourists and employers alike. For example, property tax assessments that were conducted before the spill must be reassessed given new property values so that property owners are not double hit; and at the same time, counties must receive direct assistance to ensure critical services remain in full force. Further, Florida must have greater authority to tackle environmental crimes, and we must have in place an efficient system and clear leadership to facilitate economic recovery efforts. I look forward to working with the Legislature to quickly develop these and other necessary measures.

"As we look to the future, Florida must create a focused, 21st century energy strategy that values energy independence and directly strengthens Florida’s economy and the creation of new jobs."