Oil Drilling off Florida -Cash Talks

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TALLAHASSEE -- A secretive group of powerful legislators, business groups and Texas oil companies has been laying the groundwork since December to win legislative approval to open Florida waters to oil exploration and end the 20-year drilling moratorium.

Florida Energy Associates -- which identifies itself only by saying that it is financed by a group of independent oil producers -- has hired lobbyists, public-relations experts, a financial consultant and a pollster to help advocate for the sale of drilling leases in state waters between the shore and 10 miles off Florida's Gulf Coast.

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Between April and July, the group spent as much as $234,000 on legal work and lobbying to push a bill through the Legislature last session. The measure passed the House, 70-43, but died in the Senate.

Supporters say defeat won't happen again.

``I predict we'll pass the bill and the governor will sign it,'' boasted Barney Bishop, president of Associated Industries of Florida. He has reason to feel confident. The group has heft: Florida Energy Associates has contributed $55,000 to political parties -- $35,000 to Republicans and $20,000 to Democrats -- since May.

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But the biggest enticement is the promise of cash. Orlando economist Hank Fishkind, hired by the group, estimated the state could earn as much as $2.3 billion in oil and gas revenues a year, from oil leases and taxes.

That promise plus the polling numbers have softened Gov. Charlie Crist's opposition -- he now says oil drilling should be an option for Florida.


Article:
Campaign to drill off Florida's coast has cash, confidence
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/legislature/story/1213500.html


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apologies - searched the title and did not find it - but similar article has been discussed - please comment there if doing so
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4038632&mesg_id=4038632

can't delete so updating...



vigilance...

[RandomThoughts]

1. On the topic of Cash Talks. How would a group make government subservient to big money interest?

Make it broke and needing cash. And try to make them scared to raise taxes.

Just one of many reasons Reagan and Bush ran up deficits.

But that is a broken argument. The government does not have to bow to money, it can simply say that the organizations that have to much for a balance in society to exist, have to have some of the burden of that money removed from them to equalize social mechanism that they push. Especially if they push for those things against the good of society.

Note that big money took money out of government to try and gain control. Many groups use that same mechanism when some sectors try to use money for social control.

How is it any different if higher brackets are taxed, or if governments gives to bankers. It is the same thing expect opposite in who controls. It is money distribution. And it says if the few with money control, or if the many with votes control.

That is also why some want people poor without health care.

[onethatcares]

2. I live on the West Coast of Florida.

within 4 miles of the Gulf of Mexico and 2 miles from Tampa Bay. During the week I go to the beaches and treasure hunt (off topic) when I see dolphins or a great sunset, I usually strike up a conversation with whoevers' close by and tell them, "I can't wait until we can see some oil rigs out there, just think how the night sky will look with derrick fires". Many times I'll tell them I can't wait until we can walk thru tar balls or pick up some oil covered terns, or dead sea turtles.

Tourists and residents alike look at me like I'm some kind of nutcase.:silly:

Oh, BTW, we lost the real Floriduh to the Chamber of Commerce years ago.

[fasttense]

3. Oil drilling off the coasts of popular beaches?

Great for the tourism industry and those snow birds who thought they were getting a beautiful ocean view.