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Federal, State And Local Officials Applaud RESTORE Act
July 4, 2012
Local, state and federal officials gathered on Pensacola Beach Tuesday to celebrate the passage of the RESTORE act. Passed by Congress last week, the RESTORE act, which was part of a larger transportation measure, earmarks 80 percent of water pollution fines BP is expected to pay for restoration efforts in Gulf States, which bore the brunt of the damage from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.
“To be able to have the money stay here in Northwest Florida is very important. We know that the oil spill was ongoing a lot of the money that was dedicated to helping people through the process was used all over the state of Florida where the biggest damage was done in Northwest Florida. That’s not going to happen again,” Congressman Jeff Miller said at a Pensacola Beach press conference.
Once money is allocated to the local area under the federal act, it will be up to local governments to decide how to spend those dollars.
“The idea of this money is to use it for things we will invest in the future both for infrastructure projects and other things either environmental or economic that will move us forward,” County Commissioner Grover Robinson said.
The bill is awaiting President Barack Obama’s signature. It’s not clear exactly when local Gulf Coast communities will see their first payment.
Pictured top: (L-R) Escambia Commissioners Wilson Robertson and Grover Robinson, Congressman Jeff Miller, Santa Rosa Island Authority Director Buck Lee and State Rep. Doug Broxson during a news conference Tuesday on Pensacola Beach to address the RESTORE act. Courtesy photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
7 Responses to “Federal, State And Local Officials Applaud RESTORE Act”
REGARDING:
“Maybe Obama should veto this bill since its a TAX. ”
Nope. This bill is not a tax. It is a spending bill. The tax or fine has already been set in law. The question is one of what to do with the money when it comes in.
Besides, when did President Obama ever veto a tax?
David wondering
It is kind of sickening to see them up there salivating over that money. I bet large parts of it will end up in some already rich politicians pocket and be handed out to their friends in the way of pet projects to benefit them rather than the public.
I wonder why these republican tea party politicans call this a “water pollution fine” when it’s really A TAX IT’S REALLY A TAX!!!!!!!!!! I guess they use it in the context that fits a political issue. ITS STILL A TAX or it could be a FINE/TAX. Maby Obama should veto this bill since its a TAX. Also everyone shold be aware that this BP TAX /FINE can be used any way the county desires even if it’s not BP related. They still look like a group of vulchers looking for a free bee. I believe this BP MONEY TAX/FINE should be saved and banked for future spill clean up. The next company with a large spill might just throw there hands up and not clean it up like BP has done. We’re lucky BP has done what they have done.
I wonder why these republican tea party politicans call this a “water pollution fine” when it’s really A TAX IT’S REALLY A TAX!!!!!!!!!! I guess they use it in the context that fits a political issue. ITS STILL A TAX or it could be a FINE/TAX. Maby Obama should veto this bill since its a TAX. Also everyone shold be aware that this BP TAX /FINE can be used any way the county desires even if it’s not BP related. They still look like a group of vulchers looking for a free bee. I believe this BP MONEY TAX/FINE should be saved and banked for future spill clean up. The next company with a large spill might just throw there hands up and not clean it up like BP has done. We’re lucky BP has done what they have done.
Your right. That money should go to the people who suffered from the oil spill on canoe creek.
While it’s nice to see some money coming into the area I can’t help but be sickened at the rejoicing over any legislative bundle. If it can’t pass on its own it shouldn’t pass.
@Bobby
Wow, sounds like you hate where you live and those who run it. You have two choices…move or vote. As far as the ball park being so expensive, it’s prices are not much different than going to the movies. Besides, baseball is our national pastime, and the park is beautiful. Give it a try, you just might enjoy it and put a smile on your face at the same time.
Look at all those republican and tea party political people gather up for a freebie. On the beach where all those greedy people didn’t want to pay property tax. You bet pink slip Rick Scott wants to be there but Im sure he’s taking advantage of something bigger. I’m sure all that money there getting isn’t going to be used anywhere except on the beach that most escambians never use. Maby that can find a way to use that money for all those people’s home insurance or some way to not have the spend any of there hard earned money. Just think they can use the money to enhance things around the new ball park that city residents voted not to build but got built anyway and most low and moderate income people can’t afford to go to. Maby build a giant parking garage by the civic center and ball park. Or use it for those elete city residents by taking the asphaltI off the old brick roads in the city. Just think add on the court house and build a big parking garage for all thoes employees next to it. Heven forbid they make parking easy for the public doing business there. Maby they will built them a mega deep water boat ramp for all those beach people on the beach. I know they won’t build boat ramps on the rivers more north. Escambia residents will just keep using Santa Rosa County and Bawdlin County to access Perdido and Escambia River. Maby built more a bigger county office buildings in the city. Or buy some politicians property for investment. Just think build that giant parking garage on the beach wouldn’t that look great or build that giant overpass they talked about that would look good too.