State political leaders divided on special offshore drilling session

Nearly three months after oil began spewing into the Gulf of Mexico, Gov. Charlie Crist has called a special session to address off-shore oil drilling in the state of Florida.

Crist's announcement on Wednesday was greeted by controversy from the state's political leaders. Some Democrats say they are thrilled that he has called the special session, while some Republicans are calling the move a publicity stunt.

In less than two weeks, the state's legislators will gather in Tallahassee to consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban offshore drilling in Florida.

Crist said he called the session because he feels Florida's future is at stake, and that the move has nothing to do with his Senate race.

"This has everything to do with doing what's right for a place that I love," he said.

Rep. Rick Kriseman, D-St. Petersburg, said the session is just the first step in tackling the gushing oil well. He said criminal charges should be next.

"There are people all over the state of Florida that are really being hurt by this and we need to change state law to give them the ability to make claims under state law," he said. "I would also see us take the opportunity to give our attorney general the ability to criminally prosecute those who contaminated our waters."

Republicans have been mostly quiet about the special session, but Crist's political rival, Marco Rubio, said the governor wants to ban what is already banned by state law, and that he is using this as an issue for his Senate campaign.