Lawmakers will be in the Capitol next week to consider a constitutional amendment to ban oil drilling -- which was called by Gov. Charlie Crist and is opposed by most legislative leaders.
A Senate committee, led by Sen. Don Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, has been pushing legislators to consider economic relief for businesses affected by the spill.
In a letter to House Speaker Larry Cretul, Atwater said he agrees with many of those ideas but that they cannot be drafted in time for next week's session. He said a committee of lawmakers will work over the next 30 days to craft proposals.
``Ill advised and poorly conceived legislative action might very well impede the speedy resolution of claims and make things more difficult for the citizens of Florida,'' he wrote.
Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, is a Republican candidate for chief financial officer. He said a second session could be held in either late August or early September. By postponing the date, he clears the schedule for candidates eager to remain on the campaign trial for the Aug. 24 primary.
Gaetz, however, told The Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times on Monday that he believes there is an immediate need to address the issues facing businesses, many of whom are on the brink of bankruptcy, and had hoped to expand the session next week.
``What we're finding is a number of these economic issues really are very time sensitive and need to be dealt with sooner rather than later,'' he said. ``The hope is we expand the call either by the governor, or just absorb these issues into the call.''
Miami Herald staff writer Mary Ellen Klas contributed to this report. Lee Logan can be reached at llogan@MiamiHerald.com.
‘Mission: Impossible IV’ Still Moving Forward With Tom CruiseIRS phone number set up for Gulf oil spill victims
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий