Rouson in Pensacola to meet with Obama

State Rep. Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, whose district includes part of Manatee County, just sent out a news release advising he is in Pensacola today to meet with President Barack Obama about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill:

Representative Darryl Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, will travel Tuesday to the Florida Panhandle to meet with President Barack Obama and state leaders to discuss the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill’s impact.

Representative Rouson looks forward to addressing the critical issues associated with the oil spill. “After inquiry and invitation, I am pleased to attend this event with the President and the Governor. We need to acknowledge the crisis the State of Florida is now facing and solve the problems caused by the oil spill.

“I’m grateful the President and Governor continue to stress the fact that oil has not impacted most of Florida’s beaches. Florida is open for business. In light of this crisis, my continued opposition to offshore drilling and commitment to exploring alternative energy sources is re-affirmed.”

Representative Rouson is particularly interested and concerned about the oil’s impact on families and seafood businesses in the state. “I have many constituents, numerous small business owners, and shrimpers in my district who are losing their livelihood. I am very sensitive to their needs and circumstances. Florida should seek financial compensation for these persons and I am also pushing for a National Seafood Marketing Fund to be established to assist these industries. Our state should join with Alaska and Maine in passing a joint resolution advocating for this program’s creation on the federal level. If there is a special session this summer, the legislature should take the opportunity to assist those whose lives have been impacted by the spill.”

Rouson represents District 55 in the Florida Legislature, covering parts of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties.