Trailing Rick Scott and Under Fire from the Dems, McCollum Demands BP Set Aside $2.5 Billion for Florida

Trailing health care executive Rick Scott in polls for the Republican gubernatorial nomination and under fire from the Democrats for being too passive on the issue, Attorney General Bill McCollum set his sights on British Petroleum and started pushing back against the oil company for the spill in the Gulf.

McCollum sent a letter to BP asking for the company to place $2.5 billion in escrow so that the state knows its there if needed.

Based on recent estimates from an economist, Florida could ultimately see losses as great as $2.2 billion, wrote McCollum. As Florida braces for what will likely be a staggering blow to its economy, with significant impacts to our states workforce and the revenues of the state and local governments, it is essential that BP establish immediately a dedicated escrow account solely for the purpose of paying claims and damages to Florida and its citizens.

Earlier in the day, the Democrats blasted McCollum for what they called his tepid response against BP.

"Bill McCollum bizarrely seems content to give BP 'credit' instead of standing up for Floridians who have been harmed by BP's lackadaisical response," said Eric Jotkoff, communications director of the Florida Democratic Party. "McCollum offers only tepid criticism of BP and the head of his legal team is satisfied with their efforts, while Floridians who are seeing tar balls on our beaches and waiting for real help need more."