On July 20, the Florida Legislature was called into special session in response to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Recognizing the threats to our coastal communities and ecosystems, Governor Charlie Crist called the session for the sole purpose of asking the Legislature to allow voters to consider amending the Florida Constitution this fall to prohibit near-shore drilling in state waters 3 to 10 miles from our coastline.

House Speaker Larry Cretul began the session telling Florida House members that the governor lacked veto power over proposed constitutional amendments and the proposed amendment would not resolve the current issues caused by the spill. He said additional studies were needed before the House and Senate should respond. Rather than acting on the constitutional amendment, he established six workgroups to address problems facing Florida’s coastal communities.

This action was a 51-minute tactic by the Republican Party to overturn the Governor’s decision of a special session. Despite outcry from Floridians and the 44 Democratic members of the House of Representatives who sought to give voters an opportunity to have their voices heard, the House adjourned “sine die.”

A poll conducted by Progress Florida showed 71 percent of Florida’s voters wanted the chance to vote on the oil drilling ban, and 50 percent opposed drilling within 10 miles of Florida’s coast. Our pristine beaches, as well as fishing, boating and diving industries bring in more than $6 billion a year, and drilling for oil risks Florida’s economy, our clean beaches, healthy corals and beautiful coastlines. Although the amendment may not prevent the current catastrophe affecting our shores, it would have allowed voters the opportunity this November to pass a permanent ban on future offshore drilling.

My biggest disappointment was that the Legislature accomplished nothing.

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Representative Joseph A. Gibbons represents Florida House District 105 in Broward County.

During the abbreviated floor debate on a motion to adjourn the special session sine die without action on a proposed constitutional amendment to ban near-shore drilling in Florida waters, Florida House Democratic Caucus members made the following remarks:

Rep. Ron Saunders, left, D-Key West: "The members trying to limit debate today should be embarrassed,” Saunders said. He said the voters should decide. “If they don’t decide today, they’ll decide for you in November,” Saunders said.

Rep. Daryl Rouson, right, D-St. Petersburg, said it would be a missed opportunity not to take up the issue and let the voters decide.

Rep. Rick Kriseman, left, D-St. Petersburg, said lawmakers were squandering a golden opportunity. “Let the people vote,” said Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg.

Rep. Adam Fetterman, right, D-St. Lucie, rose to say that lawmakers had failed to act on their own, so the “governor called your hand.” Fetterman, D-Port St. Lucie, said people weren’t listening to the voters.

Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed, left, D-Deerfield Beach, said she polled cities she represents and most wanted the issue on the ballot.

Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, right, D-Sarasota, said that the state’s waters are what bring people to Florida. “We should not be cavalier about this issue,” said Fitzgerald. “We should not be dismissive to the people’s desire to be heard. This proposal would be a crucial signal to markets that Florida is not an oil state. Mr. Speaker, I urge you to let the people vote.”

Rep. Darren Soto, left, D-Orlando, said “we are in a season of urgency.” He said lawmakers should be expanding the call to take up other issues in addition to the ban. He acknowledged the session was “forged in politics,” but said it could “end in success.”

Rep. Franklin Sands, right, D-Weston, the House Democratic Leader, said the people of Florida don’t want near shore drilling. “And that really is the issue,” Sands said. He noted that previous discussions of whether to allow new drilling have included assurances that new technology prevents spills, or makes them easy to quickly react to. That has proven not to be the case, Sands said. He also noted that Republicans called for letting people vote on gay marriage, even though law already bans it.

(As reported by The News Service of Florida)