Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson Calls On Republican Leadership To Reconsider Its Decision To Back Off Special Session

TALLAHASSEE -  Frustrated by the inability of local Gulf Coast fishermen to recoup financial losses because of a complicated and cumbersome claims process, Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson (D-Tallahassee) today will lead a group of those fishermen into the governor’s office to meet with Governor Charlie Crist.

Senator Lawson also called on the Republican leadership to reconsider its ill-advised move to cancel any self-recall to Tallahassee to convene a special session to deliver the relief it had long promised, but apparently has now forgotten.

“The BP/federal government claims process is being driven by high powered attorneys hired by special interests, with no regard for the local fishermen who are actually suffering from this environmental calamity,” Lawson said. “The average Gulf Coast residents, who make their livings from these waters, don’t have the financial resources to hire high priced attorneys to represent them, let alone assist them in filing claims.

“The Republican legislative leadership appears to be more engaged in political campaigns than in keeping the promises they made to deliver meaningful relief to those suffering in the Gulf Coast. It’s time they remembered their duty to the people, and returned to Tallahassee to do the people’s business. Waiting until November can mean the difference between keeping a home, or losing it; keeping a fishing boat, or surrendering that to the bank as well. The only ones with the power to stand between these fishermen and the repo man are the lawmakers. They need to step up to the plate.”

Senator Lawson’s meeting with the Governor today is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.