http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20110524/NEWS01/110524004/Lawmakers-urged-unify-behind-one-bill-seeking-BP-fine-money
9:08 PM, May. 24, 2011 |
Written by Deborah Barfield Berry
WASHINGTON — Gulf Coast advocates urged lawmakers today, May 24, to support efforts to help the region recover from last year’s oil spill and to back legislation giving their states most of the money BP will pay in fines.
“I don’t want them to dither around and not get forward momentum with the legislation because they can’t agree,’’ said David McLain, coordinator for the Apalachicola Sub-Basin Caucus in Eastpoint, Fla. “They need to get a damn bill passed.’’
Gulf Future, a coalition formed after last year’s spill, is pressing lawmakers to send the region 80 percent of spill-related fines levied against BP to help restore the environment and local economies. Lawmakers agree on that point, but differ on how to split the money among the five Gulf states.
“Everyone gets that we need a united bill,’’ said Casi Callaway, executive director of the Mobile Baykeeper, an Alabama-based environmental group. “What we heard from the Senate is that they are working well together and we expect to see a compromise soon. What we heard from the House is they haven’t met. We’re stuck with three different bills. ‘’
Callaway met earlier this week with staffers from the offices of Alabama Rep. Jo Bonner, an author of one of the bills, and Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions, all Republicans. She also met with aides of Mississippi Republican Sens. Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran.
Gulf Future, whose members met with congressional aides this week, say Gulf residents still wrestle with health and economic problems related to last year’s spill. They called on lawmakers to set up advisory panels to hear from residents affected by the spill, including fishermen.
“How can you tell a fisherman to stop fishing?’’ said Angel Truong, executive director of Asian Americans for Change, a community group based in Ocean Springs, Miss. “They know what they need.’’
Stephen Bradberry, executive director of the Alliance Institute, a New Orleans-based community group, said Gulf Coast residents have never had good access to community health care clinics.
The oil spill “only exacerbated that need,’’ said Bradberry, adding that it would cost only about $200,000 to set up two clinics in Louisiana.
Special thanks to Michelle Erenberg.