Florida's decades-old ban on oil and gas drilling in nearshore waters has been under siege since spring when a shadowy group of oilmen tried to rush a sweetheart deal through the Legislature in the final weeks of the 2009 Regular Session.  The oilmen are still at it - spending millions on campaign contributions, public relations and lobbying.

Now they are trying to get the issue considered in a special October session of the Legislature.

A decision of this magnitude—to Florida's ecology and economy—should not be made lightly. We need your help: Use our easy email function to write Senate President Jeff Atwater. Tell him if the Senate decides to consider drilling, it should be deferred until the 2010 session to ensure sufficient deliberation in the sunshine.