Bill McCollum Comes Out Against Oil Drilling Amendment

Attorney General Bill McCollum, currently running a tight contest with health care executive Rick Scott for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, said he did not think Gov. Charlie Crist needed to call a special session of the Legislature to advance a constitutional amendment to ban oil drilling in state waters.

"The most pressing issue currently facing Florida's leaders is the catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and its impacts on our states struggling economy and sensitive environment, said McCollum. 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 Floridas coast, added McCollum.