From yesterday's Advocate (subscribe to the Advocate and other Audubon of Florida newsletters for free):

As we have reported previously, the Senate made provision for the state’s long-standing conservation land buying program, Florida Forever, to be continued with $50M next year, from revenue generated by the closure of the Crescent corporate tax loophole. Similarly, $50M would be provided for Everglades restoration. This morning, when the House took up the bill, they stripped the Florida Forever & Everglades provisions before approving the bill for passage tomorrow. On the House floor, bill sponsor Rep. Carlos Lopez-Cantera linked the removal of the Florida Forever language to the nearshore oil drilling bill that passed the House yesterday (for details, read the Miami Herald blog post).

The take home message is that the Texas oil companies behind the drilling push are frustrated by comments by Senate President Atwater and Governer Charlie Crist that the drilling bill will not be taken up in the Senate this Session.

Accordingly, they have convinced House leadership to hold Florida Forever and Everglades Restoration hostage. At the same time, the oil companies have redoubled their lobbying efforts, and "compromise" proposals--including restricting drilling to the pristine Panhandle coastline--are expected to rear their heads later this week.

If you have not already, please write your State Senator urging that chamber not to take up nearshore drilling this session in any form and to pass renewable energy standards. For details on this proposal before the Senate read our factsheet online.

When the oil interests recognize Atwater and Crist are resolute, the House will be at liberty to do what they know is right: provide continuation funding for Florida Forever and Everglades Restoration in 2009-10.