Crist calls Special Session on Oil Spill

[Andy A]

So does this mean that people are not allowed to switch parties? Maybe he's "seen the light". I switched parties.

And walked into the darkness.

 

[Alicia Leonard]

or walked out of it.

 

[Gidget]

And walked into the darkness.

Very funny Mr Andy!!

 

[scooterbug44]

I think the fact that a special session costs us $40k a day we don't have seems a little ridiculous.

Exactly why does it cost that much? Aren't people on salary? Can someone break that down?

 

[GoodWitch58]

I think the fact that a special session costs us $40k a day we don't have seems a little ridiculous.

Exactly why does it cost that much? Aren't people on salary? Can someone break that down?

It's been broken down to the penny millions of times by Capital Press Corps reporters, I don't remember all the details, but it includes utilities that are not normally used...travel expenses, staff (many of whom are not full time, they only work during Session), etc., etc. Part time legislators are not paid all that much--but the perks are good and when they have to work more than their "normal" 60 days a year, it gets expensive

 

[scooterbug44]

The reason I asked was because I think politicians can do a lot of belt tightening and choose not to. IMO many of their constituents should love to know that there is money in the budget for politician's per diems, but not for children's schools etc.

 

[GoodWitch58]

The reason I asked was because I think politicians can do a lot of belt tightening and choose not to. IMO many of their constituents should love to know that there is money in the budget for politician's per diems, but not for children's schools etc.

Oh, I totally agree. The last figure I saw for the cost of the regular Session in Florida was $186 million; more than Texas and it's a much larger state.

We pay for all their living expenses while they are in TLH...and yet, there is no money to fund libraries or buy enough textbooks or computers for classrooms!

and don't even get me started on how woefully underfunded programs for the disabled and elderly are...

the entire process is pretty pathetic IMO.

 

[ugabuga]

If the special session would result in a moratorium on oil drilling in Fla waters, it would be well worth many times $40,000.

 

[TechPyle]

The short answer is that you can't trust the lawmakers to stand up to the oil lobby.

Truthfully I don't trust politicians at all but I do know that any time they meet bad things can happen. This special session might get a constitutional ammendment on the ballet or it might not but it will use dollars that the state does not have. The current prohabition against near shore drilling cannot change as long as the legislature is not meeting. It's the old idea that when the legislature is in session bad things happen.

 

[GoodWitch58]

The short answer is that you can't trust the lawmakers to stand up to the oil lobby.

Truthfully I don't trust politicians at all but I do know that any time they meet bad things can happen. This special session might get a constitutional ammendment on the ballet or it might not but it will use dollars that the state does not have. The current prohabition against near shore drilling cannot change as long as the legislature is not meeting. It's the old idea that when the legislature is in session bad things happen.

But, really, it is up to each of us as citizens to make our voices heard. The oil lobby has deep pockets and can make quite an impact on the legislature..and not many of the Members are wiling to go against the influence of money and power. For example, only one NW Florida legislator, Dr. Peaden from Crestview, cared enough about the Gulf of Mexico to be against the drilling...before the Disaster. The others just believed whatever the oil companies told them and took the campaign money...just like in Washington, and La. and Texas, and Alaska, etc--I wanted to ask Senator Gaetz Sr. (if he had been willing to meet with us, in March) if there was anythingprecious enough to him that would make him stand on principle against a monied group....
IMO it is the politician who will speak truth to power and stand fast with some principle, I can trust. Even if I don't agree with the principle or the politics, I can trust that person because of the character, integrity and consistency they display.
The converse is also true. The key is being able to tell the difference.

But, as citizens of this country it is our responsibility and obligation to stand up to the politicians and make our voices heard...not enough people do that these days IMO.