Posts in the category Legislature
Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 3-12-10 Go! Go! Ru-bi-o! By Beach Blogger Pensacola Beach Blog State representative Stephen Precourt (R-Orlando) has proposed using state tax dollars to promote the production of "family-friendly" movies and television productions. If Congress is banning earmarks, why should voters re-elect Bill Young? By Peter Schorsch St. Petersblog 2.0 Anyone else get the feeling that the race for Florida Congressional District 10 just got a whole lot more interesting now that House Democratic leaders on Wednesday banned budget earmarks to private industry, ending a practice that has steered billions of dollars in no-bid contracts to companies and set off corruption scandals. The Rubiolution will be televised By Joy Reid The Reid Report March sure is early to be going on television for a primary in August…which tells me Team Rubio is at least somewhat concerned that AMEXgate and the $134 back wax might begin to stick. The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 3-12-10: Many Florida coastal communities resolved against drilling  Progress Florida unveiled the "Resolved Against Drilling" map, a powerful illustration and visual reminder to lawmakers of the overwhelming opposition to legislation (SB 2622) that would end Florida's ban on oil drilling in state waters. The map shows that at least 55 cities, counties, chambers of commerce, and local agencies around the state have passed resolutions (you can view the list of resolutions here) opposing Speaker-Designate Dean Cannon's (R-Winter Park) and Senate-President Designate Mike Haridopolos's (R-Melbourne) effort to sell Florida's world famous coastline to Texas oilmen. From Key West to Pensacola, few other issues to be tackled this legislative session have met with such unified opposition from local communities. "This map demonstrates in clear terms that Floridians aren't buying the misleading claims and empty economic promises Big Oil is selling our state," said Mark Ferrulo, Executive Director of Progress Florida. TAKE ACTION NOW  Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty" Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.MORE ONLINE ACTIONS Pass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida. Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife. Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana. Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern. Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern. Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club. Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida. Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida. Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida. Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida. Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches. Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida. Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida. Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity. Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here. Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website. Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook. Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches. Don’t Drill Florida website. Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page. Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here. Floridians Against Big Oil social network. Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page. Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website. Environment Florida offshore drilling page. Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page. Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info. Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation. Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS. EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here. We were proud to put together this map of counties, cities, chambers of commerce, and local agencies that have passed resolutions against drilling in Florida waters.
Big Oil certainly has taken a lot of serious hits over the last few months. Hands Across the Sand was a big success. They've pared back their lobbyist presence. Plus, a recent report has demonstrated what defenders of Florida's beaches and coast have known for a while: that they're just isn't a whole lot of oil out there and it would do squat to lower the price at the pump. Regardless, everyone should remain vigilant. Most of our legislature is still in the pocket oil and gas interests, and Gov. Crist would probably do anything to out crazy Marco Rubio in the GOP senate primary. Here's Sen. Haridopolos trying to fight back against Amendments 5 and 6, the Fair Districts amendments. His message? Redistricting is haaaard!
Haridopolos made available the Senate’s redistricting guru, John Guthrie, a nationally renowned expert on the once-a-decade process of redrawing legislative and congressional boundaries, to walk an audience through the process of moving the lines to see how it works in practice. Haridopolos is also calling Amendments 5 and 6 "lawsuit city." Yet so far, no lawsuit has been filed. However, there should be no doubt that incumbents in the legislature and Congress who benefit greatly from their gerrymandered districts will fight Amendments 5 and 6 with everything they've got. The very thought of actually having to defend their actions and votes to the people they "represent" in the context of a competitive election scares the bejesus out of them. Our Editorial Cartoon of the Week feature is part of Progress Florida's popular FREE Daily Clips service:
The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 3-5-10: Drilling push continues despite findingsBy Keith Laing News Service of Florida via Sarasota Herald-TribuneDespite the Senate's seeming reluctance to lift a 20-year ban on offshore oil drilling in Florida waters, the first legislation on the subject was filed in the upper chamber. Senate 2622: Relating to Regulation of State Lands & Oil and Gas Resources General Bill by Haridopolos The Florida SenateRegulation of State Lands & Oil and Gas Resources; Provides for the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund to accept and award bids for oil and gas leases on submerged lands underlying the territorial waters of the state. Lawmaker: Any drilling bill would ban 'visual blight' By Jim Ash Tallahassee DemocratFloridians won't have to worry about oil platforms spoiling their view if the Legislature opens Florida waters to offshore drilling this year, the chief House proponent said Monday. Pledge to keep oil rigs out of sight from coast falls flat By Laura Ruane Ft. Myers News-PressSouthwest Florida's tourism industry took no apparent cheer from a Florida legislator's remarks Monday that any bill permitting offshore oil drilling also would require that platforms be kept out of sight from shore. Oil drilling backer drops lobbying corps By Bruce Ritchie FloridaEnvironments.comFlorida Energy Associates, one of the primary backers of the push to open Florida waters to oil drilling last year, recently trimmed its lobbying force to zero after having more than 30 last year. Offshore Florida oil: Not much there, there By Michael Peltier and Kathleen Haughney News Service of Florida via Orlando SentinelA new report says drilling in Florida waters would “have no discernible impact” on gas prices or the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, but could pump millions into state coffers. Report says oil supplies in Fla. waters negligible By Bill Kaczor The Associated PressEstimated reserves in Florida waters would provide the United States with less than a week's worth of oil and have no discernible effect on prices at the pump or U.S. reliance on foreign oil, says a report released Friday as part of a state Senate review of whether a ban on offshore drilling should be lifted. Century Commission report tackles oil drilling By Bruce RitchieFloridaEnvironments.com A state panel's draft report issued today takes on the major questions and concerns about allowing oil drilling off Florida's coastline.
In Florida, support for offshore drilling depends on where you live By Craig PittmanSt. Petersburg Times When it comes to drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico, it's as if there are two Floridas.
Palin slimes Florida with oil-drilling push By Tony PlakasSouth Florida Sun-Sentinel The unctuous Sarah Palin recently surfaced in Florida on a national tour like an unwanted oil spill, spewing her slippery nonsense to thousands of race fans at the Daytona International Speedway.
Experts: 2010 may not be make, break for drilling By Melissa NelsonThe Associated Press The Florida House last year voted to allow exploration for oil and natural gas in state waters, but the Senate didn't bring it up for a vote. This year the issue may not come up for a vote at all - but it will still weigh heavy in the upcoming session's background.
Offshore oil drilling not in Florida session By Lindsay Ubinas10 Connects News Tampa Bay Florida legislators agree that offshore oil drilling is an important issue but they still might not tackle it during their upcoming session.State lawmakers expected to discuss oil drilling, but little action expected By Michael Peltier Palm Beach PostExpect a lot of talk but possibly little action as lawmakers continue the debate on offshore drilling when they return Tuesday to begin the 2010 legislative session. Offshore oil bill is viewed as risky Staff Report Florida TodayDespite the backing of two heavy-hitting Republicans, Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos of Merritt Island and House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon of Winter Park, the push for offshore drilling has slowed to a crawl. Florida's offshore drilling panel convenes today By Jim Ash Ft. Myers News-PressThe House panel looking into oil and gas drilling in Florida waters convenes this morning, a day before the start of the legislative session and after the release of an academic report that proponents are already criticizing. Hands Across the Sand Spreads Message "Love Tourists, Not Drilling" By Heidi Lux Tampa Bay InformerHands Across the Sand, a statewide, peaceful protest against offshore drilling, was held throughout Florida's beaches on February 13th. Area lawmakers still opposed to offshore drilling By Matt Dixon Panama City News HeraldA predictable sequence of events played out over the past few days. State House hopeful Barker comes out against offshore drilling By Tom McLaughlin Northwest Florida Daily NewsCraig Barker, who is running for the District 4 state House seat, took a bold step Tuesday when he declared his unequivocal opposition to offshore drilling close to Florida’s coast. Local politicians weigh in on drilling Staff Report Bradenton HeraldState Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton: “Offshore drilling? I oppose it. Although there are ebbs and flows from a public perspective, there are better ways to address it than to put at risk our coastline.” Another push for offshore oil drilling looms Editorial Bradenton HeraldWhen the state Legislature opens its annual 60-day regular session on Tuesday, the primary issue will be grappling with yet another multibillion budget shortfall. Sticking with the drill: What do proponents of coastal oil exploration really want? Editorial Sarasota Herald-TribuneThe Legislature's chief proponents of drilling for oil near Florida's coastline are nothing if not determined. Oily facts Editorial Orlando SentinelDespite a new study that concludes drilling in Florida waters would produce less than a week's worth of oil for the U.S., no noticeable effect on domestic gasoline prices and nothing to lower the nation's dependency on foreign oil, Sen. Mike Haridopolos filed his bill Friday lifting the state's offshore drilling ban.
TAKE ACTION NOW
Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty" Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil. MORE ONLINE ACTIONSPass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida. Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife. Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana. Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern. Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern. Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club. Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida. Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida. Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida. Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida. Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches. Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida. Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida. Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity. Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here. Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website. Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook. Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches. Don’t Drill Florida website. Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page. Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here. Floridians Against Big Oil social network. Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page. Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website. Environment Florida offshore drilling page. Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page. Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info. Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation. Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS. EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.  Cumulative oil slick "footprint" resulting from the 10-week Montara oil platform blowout and spill that occurred in the Timor Sea off Western Australia in 2009; superimposed on the Gulf coast of Florida for scale. More info here. Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 3-5-10 Bilked: another story from South Florida For Florida, A Time for Leadership Lying to Our Kids Sen. Andy Gardiner may be the next Senate President...after Jeff Atwater, Mike Haridopolos, and Don Gaetz that is:
Gardiner didn't pour cold water on the buzz, and would neither confirm nor deny the state of his candidacy. "I have to prove myself as a senator first," Gardiner said. No kidding. Gardiner was elected as a state senator just 16 months ago in the 2008 election, and now he's vying to be the presiding officer of the Florida Senate. Pretty crazy, huh? This is nothing new, by the way. As soon as members of the majority party are elected to the House and Senate, the race begins to decide who will be the presiding officer in 6 years. I'm pretty sure most Florida voters who had knowledge of this would recoil. Yet this is the byproduct of term limits. Our Editorial Cartoon of the Week feature is part of Progress Florida's popular FREE Daily Clips service:
St. Petersburg Times columnist Howard Troxler, cites my favorite Florida politician, former Gov. Reubin Askew, as evidence of leadership that worked out well for Florida:
A new governor named Reubin Askew — sometimes with the help of the Legislature, and sometimes despite it — led Florida in an unprecedented program of modernization and reform, including: Troxler goes on to bemoan the lack of "leadership" that exists with the current regime in Tallahassee. And goes on to propose a set of ideas that have mostly been embraced by progressives and Democrats: Above all else, fix Florida's tax structure. Get rid of the loopholes and tax breaks — and if you're worried that's a "tax increase," then you should lower the overall rate on everybody else who's been paying all along. The first item, reforming Florida's antiquated and regressive tax structure that harms working families and lets the wealthy get away with quite a bit is correctly put at the top of the list. Progress Florida's "Stop The Cuts" petition effort, which we launched yesterday, is a first step to move momentum for reform out of the think tanks and newspaper columns and into the grassroots. But here's the thing about Troxler's otherwise great column: the regime that occupies Tallahassee believes they are leading. The problem is, as we know, that their reactionary "leadership" has hurt our state immensely for the roughly 12 years the Republicans have controlled the legislature and Governor's mansion. And no, any attempt by the press to do their typical "both sides are at fault" meme is just silly. The Dems haven't been in charge of any house of the legislature since 1996 and the Governor's mansion since 1998. Gerrymandering has kept them out, and the minority party is powerless to do very much. Until there's a change of leadership and focus in Tallahassee, it will be very hard to accomplish much of anything that will benefit working people rather than just special interests who can bundle $500 checks. However, leadership is also required from everyday Floridians, too. We can't just leave it to the politicians to solve our problems. Grassroots oriented, progressive/pro public interest groups will be needed to apply external pressure for progress regardless of who's in power. While I'm obviously biased, I think Progress Florida is a great example of such a group. Others I think also do this well include Worst to First and Fund Education Now, both of which employ organic grassroots strength to tackle major problems Florida faces. Howard Dean is still right: "You have the power." Republicans were very busy showing off their "fiscal responsibility" creds this week.
Marco Rubio, Republican Senate candidate and Tea Party hero, has been mixed up the Republican Party of Florida's implosion. He, like other members of the RPOF's top brass, received an American Express credit card which he used for a number of personal "expenses." Records show Rubio sent payments to American Express totaling $13,900 for his personal expenses during his tenure as House speaker. But those payments were not made monthly. He made no contributions to the bill during a six-month stretch in 2007, records show. Not to be outdone, the full breadth of Republican House Speaker-designate Chris Dorworth's financial problems were revealed this week. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up: A top Republican selected Tuesday as the future speaker of the Florida House can't get his own financial house in order. Dorworth won't be House Speaker until 2014 (yes, you read that right: Rs not surprisingly believe they'll hold on to the majority thanks to wonders of gerrymandering.) However, the idea that someone who can't manage their personal finances will have a big hand in crafting Florida's $66 billion dollar budget (or whatever it will look like by 2014 if the far right has its way) isn't very comforting to Florida taxpayers. Update: It looks like the Sink campaign is smartly taking advantage of the multiple RPOF-related scandals by releasing a comprehensive ethics plan today.  Why Florida's ethics laws need an upgrade! By Ed Gamble, Florida Times-Union Related editorial: State ethics: the hall of shame BONUS CARTOONS  By Jeff Parker, Florida Today  By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 2-19-10:
Hands Across The Sand coverage Hundreds line Pinellas County beaches to protest near-shore oil drilling By Curtis KruegerSt. Petersburg Times Hundreds lined Pinellas County's beaches and many more came to more than 70 coastal locations around Florida to protest the idea of drilling close to the state's shoreline.Protesters across Florida rally against offshore oil drilling By Maria Herrera South Florida Sun-SentinelRelated video: Raging Grannies at Hands Across the Sand, Delray Beach They looked like dark spots of tar freshly washed upon the shore.Protesters draw line in sand over oil drilling By Sarah OwenPanama City News Herald Chains of hand-holding Floridians stretched across shorelines from Pensacola to Key West to show solidarity in their opposition of offshore oil drilling.Hundreds hold 'Hands Across the Sand' to protest oil drilling off Florida's coast By Adam PlayfordPalm Beach Post The man on the stage says it's time, and Ian, who is 8, is ready.Protesters gather at the beach By Todd RugerSarasota Herald-Tribune More than 250 people joined hands on the famous powdery sands of Siesta Public Beach on Saturday to show opposition to oil drilling as close as three to 10 miles offshore.Floridians protest offshore oil drilling By Robert GreenReuters Thousands of Floridians demonstrated against moves to allow offshore oil drilling on Saturday along the east and west coasts of the state in a protest dubbed "Hands Across the Sand."Hundreds say 'no' to offshore drilling By Rebecca RossPensacola News Journal The line of black-clad protesters was stark against thesugar-white sand. Hands clasped, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder, staring out to sea. Activists unite on beach in protest against oil drilling By Cammy Clark and Robert Samuels Miami HeraldDressed in black, some 200 people stood hand in hand on South Beach on Saturday afternoon, raising and lowering their arms as surfers behind them rode the waves. Offshore drilling protesters join hands By Richard Dymond Bradenton HeraldAn event didn’t take place Saturday at Manatee Public Beach — officially — because there was no permit for one. Floridians join hands to protest offshore drilling By Jeff Barker Northwest Florida Daily NewsHundreds of people clasped hands along the beach Saturday to show their opposition to proposed offshore oil drilling. Naples protesters drill home the message: No oil rigs off Florida's Gulf coast By Sarah Donovan Naples NewsDespite biting winds, a small group of protesters held Hands Across the Sand at a Naples beach Saturday to send a message to Florida lawmakers and coastal communities statewide. 1,000 strong at ‘Hands Across the Sand’ on St. Pete Beach By Cathy Harrelson Creative LoafingOur experience with the three ‘Hands Across the Sand’ locations on St. Pete Beach, from the public beach to the Sirata Beach Resort and past the Tradewinds Resort, was thrilling. Surfers, Scientists Say No to Oil Drilling Off Florida Coast By Natalie O'Neill Miami New TimesJesse Bull, a surfer with a tidy goatee, rides a four-foot wave to shore on a blustery South Beach day. "Hands Across the Sand" Protest of Oil Drilling off Florida's Coast By Geniusofdespair Eye on MiamiThe protest went on all over Florida yesterday. People dressed in black, to signify an oil slick, joined hands at about 2pm in solidarity against oil drilling off Florida's Coast. Thank you Miami Surfriders and Progress Florida for bringing Hands Across the Sand to my attention. Hands Across the Sand Was A Huge Success: Human Chain Creates Line Around State to Protect Florida's Beaches Audubon of Florida Advocate Thousands of people at scores of locations throughout Florida showed up to hold hands and form a human chain to protect Florida's beaches.Oil drilling could change Florida for the worse EditorialTC Palm The Treasure Coast chapter of Surfrider and others concerned with the environment got together Saturday at Stuart Beach for “Hands Across the Sand,” a statewide protest of efforts to open Florida waters to offshore oil drilling.
Other drilling news Rep. Seth McKeel Pushes For End To Off-Shore Drilling Moratorium By Bill RuftyLakeland Ledger Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, asking the U.S. Congress to remove the moratorium on oil drilling in federal waters surrounding Florida, cleared the House General Government Policy Council on Wednesday.Experts: 2010 may not be make, break for drilling By Melissa NelsonThe Associated Press The Florida Legislature has considered for several years changing state law to allow exploration for oil and natural gas but hasn't brought the issue up for a vote. This year may be no different - but it will still weigh heavy in the upcoming session's background.Oil drilling legislation not likely this year, lawmakers say By Daniel CarsonPanama City News Herald Area legislators expressed doubts Friday that the Florida Legislature will pass any offshore oil drilling-related bills in 2010 due to concerns about impacts on military missions, the region’s tourism industry and the environment.Florida lawmakers hear good, bad of Gulf oil drilling By Brandon LarrabeeFlorida Times-Union Those involved in responding to offshore drilling incidents in the Gulf of Mexico told lawmakers Thursday about the steps that had been taken to minimize the impact of oil spills, as others warned that the consequences of exploring for oil in state waters might not be clear.League of Women Voters opposes offshore, near-shore drilling By Clara Anne Graham and Laura MillerFt. Myers News-Press The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.TAKE ACTION NOW Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty" Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.
Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 2-19-10 Note to Florida Voters: throw out the vultures and speculators By R.S. Pienta Leave a Comment A teacher I met via Facebook recently vented her frustration about the No Child Left Behind policy and how it is implemented via rules about FCAT in the state of Florida.  By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal BONUS CARTOON  By Andy Marlette, Pensacola News Journal The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 2-12-10:
Hands Across The Sand coverage Offshore drilling opponents to join hands in protest Saturday By Bill CotterellTallahassee Democrat Related: Google map of Sat. Feb 13th Hands Across the Sand events in your areaBlack-clad opponents of offshore oil drilling hope to mount the biggest protest in Florida history by joining hands along the coastline Saturday. A Line in the Florida Sand By Glen Gardner Public News Service FloridaOn Saturday, thousands of Floridians will literally draw a line in the sand to fight near-shore oil and gas drilling. "Hands Across the Sand" - People gather in protest of Florida off-shore oil drilling By Kathryn Bursch 10 Connects Tampa BayEven on a cool day, the Dahl family from North Dakota enjoys looking for shells and walking along St. Pete Beach. One man draws a line in the sand against oil drilling: Dave Rauschkolb is hoping opponents will join hands on Feb. 13 By Deborah Wheeler Ft. Walton SunWhen Bud & Alley’s owner Dave Rauschkolb hosted House of Representatives hopeful David Pleat at his 30A restaurant in October, he heard him issue a call to action against drilling for oil off his beautiful beaches. Florida beach towns plan protest against oil drilling By Curtis Morgan Miami HeraldBeachside communities and environmentalists have planned a statewide protest against offshore oil-drilling on Saturday. Offshore oil drilling foes to protest on beaches By Craig Pittman St. Petersburg TimesOpponents of offshore drilling are hoping thousands of people dressed in black will join them Saturday holding hands on beaches around the state for 10 minutes. Oil-drilling protest planned Saturday on Pinellas beaches By Dennis Joyce Tampa TribuneThere may be more hand-holding in Pinellas than anywhere in Florida on Saturday when people at a dozen local beaches join a statewide oil-drilling protest. Offshore drilling opponents plan beach lineup By Dinah Voyles Pulver Daytona Beach News-JournalVolunteers are expected to line up along the coast Saturday in Florida to protest proposals for oil drilling in the state's offshore waters. Oppose offshore drilling with strong show of hands By Cathy Harrelson Tampa TribuneIt isn't always easy to organize people in a far-flung state like Florida. But we're trying to do it to stand up for our beaches.  Other drilling news Drilling off Florida: A closer look at the risks Offshore Drilling FactsheetFlorida Coastal and Ocean Coalition A closer look at the facts proves hands-down that drilling is shortsighted, reckless, and simply not worth the economic or environmental risk.Offshore oil drilling supporters prize access to federal waters By Paul FlemmingFt. Myers News-Press Sometimes the money quote takes some time.House panel hears about oil spills, beach sand By Bruce RitchieFloridaEnvironments.com Members of a House panel Wednesday were provided with oil spill figures and they were told that seismic research is needed to find offshore deposits of beach sand before oil drilling is allowed.Ag commish candidate: 'No, baby, no' to drilling By Matt DixonPanama City News Herald Democratic candidate for Agriculture Commissioner Scott Maddox held a press conference Wednesday with Mayor Scott Clemons regarding their opposition to offshore oil drilling.Offshore oil drilling forum draws more than 125 on both sides of the issue By Eric StaatsNaples News Florida legislators in Tallahassee are teeing up a debate over drilling for oil in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico.A Dark Cloud Lingers Over Our Beaches (scroll down to page 7) By Sarah E. GerardPinellas Scene On Saturday, February 13, thousands of Florida residents will stand up on their local beaches in protest of a legislative bill threatening offshore drilling within 3 to 10 miles of the shoreline.Don’t drill the heart out of economy By Citizen ContributorCollier Citizen As a concern citizen of Southwest Florida (Naples) I’d like to draw the attention onto the Florida Drilling issue.To drill or not to drill: South Walton High School holds forum By Angel McCurdyNorthwest Florida Daily News Just weeks before the Legislature takes up the issue, supporters and opponents had their say Thursday on a proposal to drill for oil off Florida’s coast.Sun takes the pulse of the region on gulf drilling By Deborah WheelerFt. Walton Sun Big Oil may face big opposition in South Walton, a recent informal poll from The Sun reveals.Transcript of Skytruth’s John Amos to Senate on Offshore Oil Drilling By Congressional AidThatsMyCongress.com The following is our transcription of the November 19, 2009 testimony of John Amos of Skytruth, a non-profit environmental imaging organization, to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Environmental monitoring 'tardy and superficial' By David WeberABC News Related: Too early to assess oil spill damageThe environmental monitoring program in the wake of last year's oil spill in the Timor Sea has been described as 'superficial'. TAKE ACTION NOW
Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty" Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.MORE ONLINE ACTIONS Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 2-12-10 I Suspect This Is Where We're Going By Gimleteye Eye on Miami In a 2 PM press conference, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Katy Sorenson will announce that she will not run for re-election.  By Jim Morin, Miami Herald BONUS CARTOON  By Jeff Parker, Florida Today Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 1-22-10 What's Crist to do (besides dropping out and endorsing Kendrick Meek)? By Geniusofdespair Eye on Miami The only person who signed the Corporate papers (filed January 21st) for this 501c4 is Richard E. Coates, a Tallahassee lobbyist, who also happens to have as a client Barney Bishop's "Associated Industries of Florida".CBS Tainting Super Bowl Broadcast By Daniel Tilson Progress Florida In rolling out what they claim is a new policy to begin broadcasting "approved" paid advocacy group advertisements, the CBS TV network is clearly taking the sensitive, low-key high road - airing the first such spot during Super Bowl 44, being played Sunday in our South Florida backyard, with a few additional folks tuning in from around the globe.Six amendments make the ballot By Bill Newton FCAN Blog It will be another busy year for voters. The Legislature wants us to give up public campaign finance, and we have a chance to make Florida's election districts more fair and eliminate gerrymandering. Progress Florida's Best of the Blogs for the week ending 1-22-10 The myth of limited government By Peter Schorsch St. Petersblog 2.0 First of all, to the anonymous bloggers who attempted to discredit the good name of one of Tampa's finest families, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Posts By Month
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