Former State Senator (1994-2002) Jack Latvala is hoping to make a little history, as the first senator term limited out in Florida who returns to his former job.
The Pinellas Repubican is running for the District 16 senate seat Charlie Justice that is leaving at the end of this term to run for Congress. The Democrat in the race is Pinellas School Board member Nina Hayden.
At a fundraiser last night held for him at the Tampa Yacht & Country Club , CL spoke to Latvala on a number of subjects, such as a proposal that has been floated before the session in Tallahassee this spring that would allow for offshore drilling within 10 miles of the Florida coast. Latvala, who lives in Clearwater, has always been a critic of such proposals, and he hasn't changed his tune this time around, saying,"Ten miles is just too close. You can see the drilling rigs from the beach, the danger of pollution is far too great for the economic risk expeically to our tourism industry."
When asked if the proposal, discussed over the past few months by the respective incoming GOP Senate and House leaders Mike Haridopolos and Dean Cannon, would come back next year if it doesn't get through in 2010, Latvala replied, "I think it's very likely that will happen next year, but I'm against it. And nothing going to change my mind."
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 6, 2010.