Sink Sends Letter to Incoming Cabinet Members on Oil Spill Claims

Outgoing Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink sent a letter Tuesday to incoming members of the Florida Cabinet, urging continued oversight of the oil spill claims process and advocacy for victims. Sink has two weeks left in office before the new Cabinet members are sworn in on Jan. 4.

Sink and outgoing Attorney General Bill McCollum have pressed for larger claims and a faster process from the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, but warned those who accept quick payments but waive their rights for further claims to seek legal counsel before doing so.

"The claims process oftentimes remains inefficient and unfair. It is a process carried out mainly in the dark, without helpful communication between claimants and the GCCF and with a lack of information available to claimants about the types of supporting documentation required. Florida's existing laws would not allow this kind of treatment of our citizens by insurance providers had this been a natural disaster and not a man-made disaster.

"The BP oil spill will have a long-lasting impact on all Floridians. I urge you to maintain close oversight of the GCCF protocol and process and continue to strongly advocate for the Florida citizens who have suffered as a result of the Deepwater Horizon disaster," the letter states.

Sink had hoped to remain on the Cabinet by taking Gov. Charlie Crist's seat, but the Democrat lost out to Gov.-elect Rick Scott in the midterm elections.