How Lobbyists Control Florida Legislature

I saw this headline at Saint Petersblog.

Former House Speaker Larry Cretul joins Florida Chamber staff

My first thought was wasn't Cretul already working for the Florida Chamber of Commerce when he was the Speaker of the Florida House. I mean that snarlingly and not literally. Republican elected officials have no original ideas. Unless you count less regulations and more tax cuts as outside the box Republican thinking.

Republicans have no original ideas to jump start business. These elected Republicans merely craft legislation that way lobbyists tell them to. Members of the Florida Public Commission rejected a rate increase for Florida Power & Light. Republicans booted those members off the commission. So much for the interest of the little guy.

Cretul & Atwater Decide Not to Work

BP has been caught in Florida dumping sand to cover oil their clean-up crew did not pick up. Tourism on the West Coast of Florida has been affected by the Deep Horizon spill. CFO Alex Sink has repeatedly urged House Speaker Larry Cretul and Senate President Jeff Atwater to call a special session to deal with the environmental crisis. Gov. Charlie Crist called the Florida legislature to a special session to address a possible Constitutional amendment to ban offshore drilling. Speaker Cretul said the best way to address the spill is to do nothing during the upcoming special session.

Today I received a message from the Senate President, a copy of which is attached along with my response. I agree fully with President Atwater that we are not ready to legislate with respect to the oil spill.

To that end, I have instructed our staff to work with the Senate staff to finalize the process and the dates for a special session no earlier than September.

Accordingly, you can expect your stay to be very short next week but in the coming weeks you can expect to be recruited for numerous legislative efforts to identify and craft solutions to problems related to the oil spill.

Attachments

Dear President Atwater:

I am in receipt of your letter dated today, suggesting a joint committee and special session in the coming weeks. I am glad we agree that productive legislation addressing the Gulf oil spill cannot be enacted during next week's scheduled special session. Our duty is to dispose of executive proposals responsibly. Rushing to amend the constitution at the last possible moment because of an accident hundreds of miles from our jurisdiction does not typify deliberation and responsible legislation.

As you and the citizens and legislators of the Panhandle know well, Floridians are suffering along the Gulf Coast from the BP Oil spill. I have followed with interest the work of Senator Gaetz' committee. I assure you that the House is also actively exploring the nature of the injuries, the nature of the federal and private responses, and all suggestions for state response that may require legislation. I believe we can cooperate as we prepare legislative proposals to be considered at a reasonable time. I have asked my staff to work with the Senate staff to resolve the details of the appropriate process and dates for a special session.

Consequently, I am committing the full resources of the House to the full exploration of any and all responsible legislation likely to aid Florida's survival of and recovery from the oil spill. I am also ready, willing and able to join you in calling a special session to convene as early as September, as soon as we can identify those subjects upon which we can act in order to responsibly improve our state's health.

Sincerely,
Larry Cretul
Speaker

Republicans need more time to address the spill. That is why Florida House and Senate Republicans will do nothing about the spill during the current session. Rep. Kevin Ambler and Sen. Paula Dockery apparently have time to use the special session to try to pass an Arizona-style immigration law. Azizona Gov. Jan Brewer's claims about illegal immigrats beheading people have been debunked. Brewer's other claim about crime on the border increasing has been proven to be bogus. Brewer has to make up false facts in order to justify an immigration law that was tailored to the most xenophobic in the conservative base.

Florida has a serious environmental disaster. The state is in no danger of being invaded by Mexicans. The fact that Rupublicans in the Florida legislature rather make a needless immigration bill than risk angering the oil industry shows how unfit to lead Cretul and Atwater are.

Alex Sink voiced her disapproval at Cretul's and Atwater's decision.

“We’re three months into this mess, and our small business owners and citizens should not have to wait another two months for relief,” said CFO Alex Sink. “Delaying urgently needed tax relief and economic initiatives for our small business owners and residents devastated by this oil disaster is wrong. The Florida Legislature should be prepared to do their job and not force taxpayers to spend more money on another special session.”

The Republican Party have repeatedly stressed man-made environmental damage is a conspiracy theory. The GOP really does believe the free market will magically get rid of all the tar balls on Florida's beaches and pay reparations to small businesses. BP justs enjoys giving their money to small businesses owners with no hope of a financial return. And if you believe that then you probably think Rand Paul is a genius.

How Republicans on Offshore Drilling Sound Like Democrats on Gay Marriage

We can flash back to 2008 when Florida Republicans said it was necessary to place a ban on gay marriage in the Florida Constitution. The Left made the argument that gay marriage was already illegal in Florida and the way the ballot was written could affect hetrosexual marriages. The Left argument was weak and Republicans got a ban in the Florida Constitution.

The Left failed to make the emotional case that banning gay marriage was discrimation and morally wrong. The Right played on people's fears to rally Christian Right voters to the polls. Gov. Charlie Crist is now using the outrage at BP to pass a Constitutional amendment to permanently ban offshore drilling off the coast of Florida. Republicans are suddely screaming about how the special session is unneeded because offshore drilling is already illegal.

House Specker Larry Cretul has called the special session "smoke and mirrors." Marco Rubio has accused Crist of staging a photo op session." Rubio bills himself as the candidate with real solutions. Rubio's solution is more offshore drilling and tax cuts for small businesses. Rubio seeked publicity during his House Speaker days and passed a property tax amendment that was ruled unconstitutional. For Rubio to say Crist is using a special session for publicity doesn't pass the laugh test.

Jeff Atwater is running for Chief Financial Officer and Mike Haridopolos is the incoming Senate President. They are as pro-oil as Rubio and Cretul but are politically savvy enough not to piss off voters by being against the special session. Haridopolos is even willing to listen to proposals about renewable energy. Don't expect Atwater or Haridopolos to vote for a offshore drilling ban.

The whole argument about 'let's not put this on the ballot' because it is already illegal is lame. Progressives want a constitutional ban against offshore drilling. Christian conservatives got their constitutional ban against gay marriage. Political factions support a constitutional amendment when it is an issue they are passionate about. Past arguments about how gay marriage or offshore drilling can't be placed on the ballot because it is already illegal is rather disingenuous. I wanted the gay marriage amendment ballot to fail and an offshore drilling amendment ballot to come out of the Florida legislature. I was against the former and support the latter. Progressives did a horrible job framing thir position on gay marriage. I hope Republicans make the same mistakes on offshore drilling.

Alex Sink's Special Session Letter

Alex Sink sends a letter to Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretal with a request of wonky intuitives for the July 20-23 special session. The letter reads as a smart piece of progressive policy. Which should guarantee that Sink's proposal will be hated by Republicans in the legislature.

Using litigation money to environmental study is an idea appealing to green supporters. The Florida legislature thinks short-term. Florida is in a deficit and the legislature will use any incoming money to help fill the financial sinkhole.

Enforcement on speedier claims is a win-win for Democrats. BP America has received criticism for handling of claims. Democrats can get legislation for legal enforcement on claims. If Republicans vote against the legislation Democrats can hammer Republicans. Florida Democrats have failed to use policy proposals for political leverage. This is an opportunities for Democrats to win on policy and politics.

Tax relief for businesses hurt by the spill is a proposal that should get bipartisan support. Republicans love tax cuts and Democrats will see the cuts as a form of stimulus for the fishing and the tourism industries.

Below is Alex Sink's letter.

**********

The Honorable Jeff Atwater

President of the Florida Senate

312 Senate Office Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1100



The Honorable Larry Cretul

Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives

420 The Capitol

402 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1300



Dear President Atwater and Speaker Cretul:

When the Florida Legislature convenes later this month to guard against future catastrophic threats to our state’s economy and environment by passing a constitutional amendment to ban near beach drilling, your members have the added responsibility to ensure that our small business owners, citizens, and way of life are protected.

The need for a ban on near beach drilling to prevent a future catastrophic disaster on our beaches is clear, and the time to make sure our beaches are protected is now. Without protecting our state waters through the constitutional amendment process, the Florida we know and love is in critical danger. But you also should take this session to pass smart, meaningful legislation that will directly impact the lives of so many of our residents and offer critically needed help for our small business owners.

In our fight to save Florida jobs, the need is urgent, and the task at hand trumps all else. The cost of the actions necessary to protect Florida’s economy must be the responsibility of BP and the federal government. The cost of inaction would otherwise be shouldered by all Floridians.

As Florida’s top fiscal officer, I have outlined the following incentives, claims changes, and environmental initiatives to protect Florida’s economy:

Recoup Economic Damages

Enact laws, retroactive if necessary, that will guarantee recovery of the economic damages suffered by businesses, homeowners, and local and state governments resulting from major disasters.

Mandate Speedier Claims Fulfillment

Create a single-point of entry for claimants, including plain language forms, with requirements for review and fulfillment within 15 business days. This process should include a dispute resolution process in the case of denial, with final arbitration overseen by the government.

Tax Relief for Businesses and Residents

Authorize property tax rebates for business and residential property owners whose property values have fallen because of the oil spill, similar to hurricanes, tornados, and fires.

Pass tourism tax incentives, such as a temporary waiver of the bed tax, to help the tourism industry recover and rebound, injecting tourism spending dollars back into our economy.

Provide Job Training and Re-Training

Dedicate federal government resources for job training and re-training in Northwest Florida so that our unemployed fisherman, charter boat operators, marina workers and restaurant and hotel workers have clear opportunities to learn new skills. Include provisions to extend training to other regions if the oil begins to impact other parts of Florida.

Provide direction to Enterprise Florida and the Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development to focus economic development efforts in Northwest Florida with the near- and long-term goal of creating non-tourism job opportunities.

Florida Environmental Endowment

Create an independently managed Florida Environmental Endowment funded by BP grants or future litigation settlements to provide resources for the study of Florida’s aquatic environment.

Constitutional Amendment to Ban Near Beach Drilling

Florida must ban oil drilling in its near shore waters through a constitutional amendment to prevent this type of disaster from ever occurring up to ten miles off our beaches.

The nature and challenge of expanding this special session is unprecedented. It is my hope that the solutions produced will match the size and scope of this disaster.

Sincerely,

Alex Sink

Crist Talks to Media About Potential Independent Run

more about "Video: Charlie Crist on being a Repub...", posted with vodpod

Gov. Charlie Crist calls the Florida Legislature an "asylum," attacks House Speaker Larry Cretul and hints he will not return campaign money to Republican donors. This sounds like a man bolting the GOP.

Larry Cretul May Run Against Alan Grayson

Larry Cretul is considering running against Congressman Alan Grayson. The NRCC views Grayson as vulnerable because he was against the war in Iraq and bailout recipients' excessive bonuses.

“Floridians know Larry Cretul as a workmanlike public servant who understands that getting things done means not worrying about grabbing headlines,” said NRCC spokesman Andy Sere. “Alan Grayson is the obnoxious guy at the dinner party who ends up embarrassing the poor soul who invited him. If Speaker Cretul gets into this race, the contrast couldn’t be clearer.”

The NRCC assumes all voters share the ideological views of the base. Grayson defeated Ric Keller because voters did not share the GOP worldview. RedState.com can do ambush interviews on Grayson over a failed earmark. People hate paparazzi-style stalking.

I will be the first to admit Grayson comes off as a jerk and no candidate is unbeatable. Cretul's dilemma is he doesn't have much of a voting base in Grayson's district. The Republican brand isn't doing well in Congressional elections. Cretal has his own problems of tax increases, $400 million raid on trust funds, increasing Florida's deficit and running secret meetings. Grayson will relish pounces on those faults.

Grayson is a rising star in the Democratic Party. Both parties need attack dogs and Grayson fits the bill. The only reason we are talking about Cretul is because House Speaker Ray Sansom got into trouble for the porked-filled aircraft hanger project. Before then Cretul was on no one's political radar. The NRCC will not clear the field for Cretul. I hardly call that a vote of confidence.

Larry Cretul Meets Protesters

Progress Florida organized protesters to show up at Larry Cretal's house.

Cretul left his home and as of 4:30 p.m., was outside talking with the group, according to an aide in his office.

"Florida is next to last in the nation for education spending," the petition reads. "In this time of economic uncertainty, it is paramount that our public education system be adequately funded and equipped to provide Marion County children with the education they deserve and need for the 21st century economy."

I agree that Florida's lack of spending is disgraceful. However, I would be pissed if protesters show up at my door. I voiced my displeasure at Progress Florida's publicity stunts. I don't even think they do protests very well. Many voters will look at protesters coming to a lawmaker's house as intrusive. This helps the GOP and does nothing to change policy. The 60s is over. Change comes from hard work. Not silly gags.

Progress Florida tagline is "progressive solutions for Florida." What solution was achieved by having a fake Bush and McCain hold a sign.

Progress Florida is a poor man's MoveOn that will affect no policy change.

University of Florida professors mobilized students to call and write lawmakers. That is more constructive and productive way to affect change.

University of Florida students and faculty rallied Tuesday to mobilize the campus against state budget cuts and their effect on academic programs.

The event was billed as a "teach-in" but served mainly as a call to action. Surrounded by signs listing the phone numbers of UF officials and state lawmakers, speakers asked students to make calls, send letters and sign petitions stating their opposition to cuts.

"If we don't continue after we leave here, it doesn't mean much," said Deeb Kitchen, co-president of UF's graduate student union.

Several hundred students ambled through the UF's Plaza of the Americas for the event, dozens of whom called lawmakers at a table where their office numbers were listed. Kitchen called the office of House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, while on stage, holding up the phone while the crowd chanted "No more cuts!"

Organizing and lobbying lawmakers to support a paticular position is good. Showing up at person's house is a good way to piss people off. If I was a conservative political advisor, I would demonize the Progress Florida protesters and send out talking points to conservative talk radio shows. I would talk to the media about how Cretul felt his privacy was invaded and worried about his family's safety. See where I am going with this. There is no reason to give the Right a free bullseye. Progress Florida does exactly that.

Clowns dress up in costumes. So does Progress Florida.

Photo at Flickr

Update: the protesters showed up at Cretul's office. Not home. I made a mistake in my post.

Quote of the Day

"Well, I just wish them the best. Obviously, it’s a bit of a challenging time. But it is a House issue. The lieutenant governor and I respect that. We have been following it closely and I think they’ll have a good meeting tonight."

Charlie Crist, refusing to give his opinion on the vote for Ray Sansom's successor.

Bonus Quote

"That’s up to the House. I’m sure he’d do a fine job."

Crist, asked if Larry Cretul would make a good Speaker.

Crist wouldn't even fight the Florida legislature for his own Indian gaming pact. Crist isn't going to get a jolt of courage and offer an opinion of members of his own party.