Alex Sink Asks Obama to Intervene in Oil Spill Claims

After teaming up with Republican Attorney General Bill McCollum to write to Ken Feinberg, state CFO Alex Sink, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate who lost to Rick Scott, sent a letter to President Barack Obama on the claims process for those Floridians impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf.

As I prepare to leave office as Floridas chief financial officer, I feel it is important to express continued concerns about the claims process for the Floridians who were negatively impacted by the BP oil spill, noted Sink. I am writing to urge your renewed attention and swift action for the citizens of Florida and all of the Gulf Coast. Our residents faced challenges with the economic hardship caused by the oil spill and these challenges are now exacerbated by a claims process that has not delivered the promised relief and has not been what it should for those in need of help.

Of the approximately 150,000 Floridians who have filed claims with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility as of Dec. 4 under its Emergency Claims Process, only about 60,000 claims have been paid, added Sink.A majority of our states small-business owners and residents have had their claims denied or are still waiting for payment.

I truly believe that your intervention is essential to ensure the necessary changes will be made so that the thousands of Floridians whose livelihoods were negatively impacted, through no fault of their own, receive the answers and action they deserve, concluded Sink.