House Dem Leader Warns of 'Gavel and Go' Strategy

With House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, telling House Republicans to expect a short session, House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston, is warning of a gavel-and go strategy, in which the House would assemble and adjourn without tackling why Gov. Charlie Crist called the special session -- forwarding a proposed constitutional amendment to the voters banning oil drilling in Florida waters.

I call on House Republican leaders today to dismiss rumors that they will take a gavel-and-go strategy to the special session, said Sands on Thursday. The Legislature has a historic opportunity next week to give voters the right to create a permanent ban on oil drilling in Florida waters and to begin discussions on other measures to bring relief to Floridians hurt by the BP disaster. This is an opportunity that shouldnt be wasted.

It would be an unconscionable dereliction of duties to ignore the opportunity we have this month to empower voters with a constitutional ban that takes the security and safety of our coastlines away from special interests and gives it to the people, said Sands. Sadly, nearly 3.9 million barrels of oil have spewed into the Gulf as a result of the BP disaster that began 10 weeks ago. Floridians and some of our states key industries are suffering. The people expect public officials to take serious and urgent action.

The Legislature has the responsibility to give voters the right to create a permanent ban on near-shore drilling in Florida waters, concluded Sands. The Legislature also has ample opportunity next week to begin deliberations on other productive legislation addressing the Gulf spill.