Dear Governor:

Having spent time over the past two days at our Emergency Operations Center, monitoring the progress of the Gulf oil leak, I am impressed by the capabilities and commitment of the professionals overseeing the State’s response to the potential environmental impacts to Florida. I remain very concerned, however, that our reaction to the burgeoning economic crisis already unfolding has not been as sensitive to the immediate needs of the citizens of our Gulf coast.

A great deal of mystery continues to shroud the very process by which funds are to be made available by British Petroleum (BP) to assist in market-driven initiatives aimed at reassuring the traveling public that Florida continues to be a viable and attractive choice for visiting and vacationing. I am told that a Memorandum of Understanding between BP and the State exists but has yet to be executed. I would respectfully urge your office to share with the citizens of this State exactly how these funds are to be transmitted to and received by the State, how they will be spent, who will drive the process of distribution, how decisions on deployment will be made, and who will be asked to participate in that decision making."

We all need to exert pressure on all governmental agencies to get action BEFORE the oil hits our shores--easier to prevent that to fix after it is on our beaches!