Cretul Supports Atwater's Call for Another Special Session

House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, sent a letter back to Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, saying he was open to Atwaters call for a second special session to tackle the economic impact of the oil spill. Cretul also took a shot at Gov. Charlie Crists call for the Legislature to pass a proposed constitutional amendment to voters which would ban oil drilling in state waters.

I am glad we agree that productive legislation addressing the Gulf oil spill cannot be enacted during next week's scheduled special session, wrote Cretul. Our duty is to dispose of executive proposals responsibly. Rushing to amend the (state) Constitution at the last possible moment because of an accident hundreds of miles from our jurisdiction does not typify deliberation and responsible legislation.

I assure you that the House is also actively exploring the nature of the injuries, the nature of the federal and private responses, and all suggestions for state response that may require legislation, continued Cretul. I believe we can cooperate as we prepare legislative proposals to be considered at a reasonable time. I have asked my staff to work with the Senate staff to resolve the details of the appropriate process and dates for a special session.

Consequently, I am committing the full resources of the House to the full exploration of any and all responsible legislation likely to aid Florida's survival of and recovery from the oil spill, concluded Cretul, who rejected Atwaters idea that the session could be held in the last week of August. I am also ready, willing and able to join you in calling a special session to convene as early as September, as soon as we can identify those subjects upon which we can act in order to responsibly improve our state's health."