Rick Scott is not happy about the offshore oil drilling ban reimposed today by the Obama Administration.
His statement on the ban, and President Obama:
“The Obama Administration’s offshore drilling ban is yet another example of government regulation impeding economic growth. Florida is committed to pursuing energy independence, which is essential to national security. With sound policies in place, we could expand domestic drilling and eliminate our reliance on foreign oil. Furthermore, I am disappointed that the White House has chosen to unilaterally impose a policy that threatens job creation and economic growth in Florida without consulting our office.”
Think about that statement for a minute. Just imagine how it would “impede economic growth” in Florida, or any of the other Gulf states if there were any LESS regulations on offshore oil drilling than there are now? Perhaps Scott should ask some of those fishermen who depend on the Gulf for their livelihood. Maybe ask those who own and run businesses like hotels and restaurants along the Gulf coast how they would feel about giving big oil more freedom than they had back in April when that blowout preventer failed to prevent a blowout? Because I did ask some of them back then. They weren’t pleased, to put it mildly. But then Rick Scott isn’t one to talk to the people who live here. He’s more concerned with dealing with big business. Behind closed doors.
He says he’s “disappointed that the White House has chosen to unilaterally impose a policy that threatens job creation and economic growth in Florida without consulting our office.” OK, first of all, Mr. Scott fails to realize, much like he did on the campaign trail, that he was not running for, nor was he elected to the office of Commander-in-Chief. Barack Obama, however, was. Scott may also be surprised to discover that President Obama doesn’t answer to the yet to be sworn in Governor elect Scott.
Second, when Rick Scott professes profound “disappointment” over “job creation [being] threatened,” I suppose he could have a small point there. After the BP oil spill, there was at least one company who discovered newly created jobs, but that was as a result of that oil spill, not the “drilling for” part. That would be this company:
This month the state of Florida awarded WRS a $250,000 contract for “reviewing county responses, designing beach protection devices and identifying areas of ecological concern.”
Kathleen Shanahan, the CEO of the consulting firm WRS Compass, has ties to both Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Shanahan was chief of staff for Cheney during the 2000 Presidential campaign and transition. She later became chief of staff for Jeb Bush. In March Shanahan was also re-appointed to Florida’s State Board Of Education by Gov. Charlie Crist.
Talk abut coming full circle. Nice work, if you can get it.
But then if Scott gets his way, there will be a lot more jobs and profits where those came from for his new found friends like Jeb Bush and businesses like WRS Compass.
As I agree with most of this post I have to say it is taking some left handed punches at more of a personal vendetta rather than sticking to facts which help the author’s arguments.
A great deal of fisherman did lose their jobs and the spill dramatically hurt economic growth. Scott’s statements are disappointing and is an unfortunate display of his environmental positions vs. economic growth. If the governor-elect is truly going to make a difference in this state, it can’t come from a business trumps all mantra, as that is not a sustainable policy, especially in a state which depends on its environmental quality as an economic engine.
I am not sure why the author decided to take a u-turn to attack the engineering firm. Seems counter to the original point and a personal attack on something the author has Overly simplified. I have worked with WRScompass on a project in the Kissimmee River Restoration Project- they are a VERY reputable firm and I have no problem with their work as they have proven to be a company which provides strong results.
It’s too bad the author compromises his/her point in order to make some arbitrary leftist attack.
There is no “personal vendetta” or “arbitrary leftist attack” here at all. WRS Compass may well be a reputable company. Since you’ve worked with them I suppose you would have a personal reason for stating as much. I am merely pointing out what takes on the appearance of a potential “revolving door” between a company which has ties to those in the oil drilling business, and is now hired by the State, as well as the State of Louisiana, to clean up that same oil spill.