Amie Parnes: Florida is target in oil war

WASHINGTON — So, one thing is clear. The Sunshine State definitely is a target in the war on oil and natural gas drilling. The pressure has been increasing each day with rising gas prices and energy costs.

Like it or not, everyone seems to understand that much.

This week was proof of that. The House Resources Committee easily passed a bill Wednesday that would eliminate a presidential and congressional moratorium and allow oil and gas drilling 50 miles off the coast unless state legislators stepped in to prevent it. It was not as sweet as the deal Florida lawmakers tried to hammer out last November when they had a little more leverage, but it was a deal with which many felt comfortable, given the pressure.

"The writing is on the wall," Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, the Miami Republican who represents Collier County, said after the hearing. "The pressure to drill is not going to diminish."

Next week, during "Energy Week," the House is expected to pass the legislation — a scary thought to some opponents.

But even if the bill does pass the House, many expect it to die a quick death in the Senate.

"Why?" you ask.

For starters, Florida Sens. Bill Nelson, a Democrat, and Mel Martinez, a Republican, are staunchly opposed to the House plan. Both senators introduced legislation in February that would create a permanent no-drilling zone off the west coast of Florida. Their plan also would keep oil rigs at least 150 miles off the eastern and southern coasts, a far cry from the plan the House is pushing.

"The Senate has shown no interest in taking up anything from the House," said Bryan Gulley, a spokesman for Nelson. "If this body comes out with any legislation, it will come out with its own."

And there are plenty of ideas to go around in the Senate chamber and plenty of players in the fight. Senate leaders have urged senators to find some kind of consensus before moving forward with the issue, Gulley said.

That's if the legislation even makes it that far before time runs out.

Gulley said the Senate still has an appropriations bill to work on and it's "very unlikely" the Senate will act on the drilling legislation this year.

Floors get Heat-ed

Lawmakers often complain they have no time to debate certain bills, no time to visit constituents and sometimes no time to eat lunch. But, this week, countless Florida lawmakers spent lots of floor time congratulating the "white hot" Miami Heat for winning their first NBA championship.

Martinez and Nelson introduced a resolution in the Senate on Wednesday recognizing the Heat and their big win. They were followed by their colleagues in the House who were quick to introduce House Resolution 887 for the same purpose. Team owner Mickey Arison is one of the biggest campaign donors inside the Florida delegation.

Among those offering their congratulations: Southwest Florida Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Connie Mack, Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Miami, Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, E. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, Mark Foley, R-Fort Pierce, Robert Wexler, D-Delray Beach, Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, and Katherine Harris, R-Longboat Key.

So what about the rest of the delegation? Are they not Heat fans?

Guess they were out to lunch.