Orlando Sentinel Senior Editorial Writer Paul Owens weighs in on FFRP’s recent position paper on offshore oil drilling…
Republican state Rep. Dean Cannon, the incoming speaker of the Florida House, told the Sentinel recently that he’d like to see his plan to open up state waters to oil and gas rigs handled in a special session so the state could begin pocketing the proceeds ASAP. But this week, a representative for the lead group pushing the plan said the money isn’t likely to show up in state coffers for another three years. That certainly argues against rushing the plan.
So does a recent statement from Floridians for Responsible Policy, a public policy group founded by two Orlando businessmen, Roger Chapin and Joe Kefauver. FFRP says it considers offshore drilling “a legitimate component of a comprehensive national energy policy” but it opposes efforts to “hastily force such an important issue through the legislative process without a thorough and detailed public vetting. If offshore drilling is really merited, then it should be able to stand the test of reasoned debate in the full light of day.” To which I’d add, “Amen.”
Lest FFRP be pigeonholed as left-leaning for opposing the fast-tracking of Cannon’s plan, it also has issued statements opposing the No. 1 priority of organized labor, the bill in Congress that would let unions organize without secret-ballot elections. Questioning Cannon’s plan isn’t a liberal position — just a sensible one.
Floridians for Responsible Policy Opposes Plan to Fast-Track Off-Shore Oil Drilling
BACKGROUND: As our planet’s natural energy resources become increasingly scarce, the United States faces extreme competition from other established and developing countries for those precious resources. As the nation struggles to coalesce around a comprehensive strategy, governments and private interests are increasingly pursuing more parochial solutions to their immediate energy needs and as such, are gradually complicating the ability of our country to pursue a coordinated energy policy. The country faces serious decisions going forward whether to pursue nuclear energy, expand drilling for petroleum products, exploring wind and solar technologies and of course, serious energy conservation measures.
ANALYSIS: Accordingly, we have an obligation to examine any and all energy options as part of a comprehensive national energy strategy that protects the country’s energy future. It would be irresponsible to pursue a national energy security policy that does not acknowledge the important role of domestically-produced petroleum whether it be from on-shore or off. However, it would be equally irresponsible to recklessly auction off parcels of our ocean floor to petroleum producers without a thoughtful reasoned debate that rightfully recognizes the costs and benefits of such action. Click to Read More
Special To The Tampa Tribune
A small group of Senate Democrats has expressed a willingness to drop what may be the most contentious piece of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA): the “card-check” provision that would take away American workers’ right to a private ballot when determining whether to form a union.
While we applaud their newly found clarity on the issue, it does not make this bill any less dangerous for American businesses and American workers. Click to Read More
The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board weighs in on the latest version of EFCA:
Desperate to keep the so-called Employee Free Choice Act alive, supporters in the U.S. Senate have cut out its heart — a provision that would let unions represent workplaces without first winning majority support from employees in secret-ballot elections.
That makes the bill better, but not good enough. The bill would still give a government arbitrator the power to dictate wages and benefits for a business if management and labor can’t agree on a contract within 90 days. And in return for reviving secret ballots, supporters insisted on speeding up the timetable for elections so much that employees might not get a full and fair presentation from both sides before voting.
There are worthier provisions in the legislation, such as stricter enforcement of laws against intimidating or firing workers for union activities. But unless supporters bend more on the objectionable parts, the Senate should kill the bill.
The New York Times is reporting that a half-dozen senators friendly to labor have decided to drop the card check provision from legislation currently pending in the U.S. Senate.
“As Democrats, we’re proud of those moderate Senators who stood on principle and fought to protect the rights of workers and uphold the democratic process. We only wish our own Senator would have joined them.” said Joe Kefauver, Co-Founder, Floridians for Responsible Policy.
The Times points out that the abandonment of card check was another example of the power of moderate Democrats to constrain their party’s more liberal legislative efforts. Though the Democrats have a 60-40 vote advantage in the Senate, and President Obama supports the measure, several moderate Democrats opposed the card-check provision as undemocratic.
“It’s time for supporters of the measure to consider that it’s not about counting the votes and muscling legislation through the Congress and just admit that taking away a worker’s right to privacy is just bad public policy,” said Roger Chapin, co-founder of Floridians for Responsible Policy.
Floridians for Responsible Policy today announced that former State Senator and retired United States Marine Colonel Winston W. “Bud” Gardner, PE of Orlando, Florida has added his voice to the growing number of Democrats that oppose the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) pending before the U.S. Congress.
“As someone who has served our country in the military and the halls of the Florida Legislature, I don’t think anyone, and especially Democrats, should be advocating stripping away the rights of workers”, said former State Senator Bud Gardner. “The secret ballot is a hallmark of our Democracy that has served us well and should not be cast aside in an attempt to increase unionization in the workplace.” Click to Read More
Floridians for Responsible Policy today announced that former State Senator Rick Dantzler of Winter Haven, Florida has added his voice to the growing number of Democrats that oppose the so-called Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) pending before the U.S. Congress.
“I just can’t figure out why anyone would support eliminating a worker’s right to cast a secret ballot”, said former State Senator Rick Dantzler. “It’s not fair to the employee, and it’s not fair to the employer.” Click to Read More
Dear Florida Delegation Members Supporting EFCA Legislation:
On behalf of Floridians for Responsible Policy, we are writing today to urge your re-consideration of co-sponsorship and support for HR 1409, the Employee Free Choice Act. This legislation has serious ramifications that go well beyond the stated intent of the bill and could do irreparable harm to some basic worker protections such as privacy, freedom from coercion and equal access.
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Floridians for Responsible Policy Opposes
the Employee Free Choice Act
BACKGROUND:
The Democratic Party has a proud legacy of defending many of the most fundamental values of our American democracy. Their principled and ardent defense of civil rights, voting rights, equal protection, privacy and workplace fairness has been a traditional cornerstone of the party and has helped make the country the envy of the world. Through social unrest, economic downturns, foreign conflicts and other challenges, the Democratic Party has time and again risen to the challenge of fighting for these values even when it wasn’t politically popular.
Click to Read More
