Alex Sink: Just Say No to Offshore Drilling

Florida CFO Alex Sink sent out a press release stating her opposition against HB 1219. The bill would allow drilling 3 miles off the coast of Florida. The sponsors are Erik Fresen, Stan Mayfield, Seth McKeel and Juan C. Zapata.

Sink on HB 1219

“As Florida’s Chief Financial Officer it is my responsibility to protect the people of Florida and all state owned land, and I take these obligations very seriously. That’s why I strongly oppose the near-shore drilling legislation, which would threaten Florida’s economy by bringing oil rigs 3 miles off our coast, sanctioning drilling in the shallow waters of the Gulf, and allowing unlimited pipelines to go through sensitive areas up to our beaches.

“This controversial near-shore drilling bill puts Florida’s billion dollar tourism, fishery, and marina-related industries at serious risk, and is not in the best interest of Florida. What Florida should do is look for ways to make our state the leader in the new energy economy, instead of making our state even more vulnerable.

“I also think it is unconscionable that a bill that could threaten our economy is being passed at the 11th hour, without any significant debate, serious study, or real time to hear from Florida’s citizens. Floridians deserve to have government in the sunshine -- this bill is government in the dark of night.”