Head of Senate energy committee married to pro-drilling lobbyist

TALLAHASSEE — The powerful Miami lawmaker now in charge of the Senate committee on energy policy is married to a lobbyist hired to help secure the repeal of Florida’s ban on offshore oil and gas exploration.

Senate Majority Leader Alex Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, was named chairman of the Senate’s energy, environment and land use committee this month. He insists any vote on oil drilling or other energy policies that come before him will not be influenced by his wife, Claudia, one of more than two dozen lobbyists registered to represent Florida Energy Associates, the umbrella group of oil and gas industry representatives seeking to drill off Florida’s coastline.

“My objectivity has never been in question,” said Sen. Diaz de la Portilla, 45. “She doesn’t tell me how to vote.”

Their relationship is just the latest example of politics, careers and personal lives intersecting in a “citizen Legislature,” where many part-time lawmakers vote on policies and budgets that potentially affect their jobs — or the jobs of loved ones — outside the Capitol.

“We are a citizen Legislature,” said Senate President Jeff Atwater, who appointed Diaz de la Portilla to lead the committee. “There are legislators in this process who are chairing committees who have oversight over their industry.”

Sen. Garrett Richter, for example, is a banker. As chairman of the Senate’s banking and insurance committee, the Naples Republican helps guide legislation that could affect his industry.

But in the case of offshore oil drilling, the stakes are particularly high.

Proponents of drilling have hired some three dozen lobbyists, paying them big bucks to push the proposal championed by future Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Indiatlantic, and future House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, who say lifting the ban could bring in much-needed revenue.

Fighting back are some lawmakers and environmental groups, who say drilling so close to shore presents grave and long-lasting risks to Florida’s environment and its tourism industry.

“This whole ‘drill, baby drill’ mentality needs to slow down,” said Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, who this week proposed the creation of a task force to more thoroughly study the issue. “What is at stake is the future of Florida for our grandchildren, for our environment.”

The best option

Haridopolos and Cannon have not filed a drilling proposal. But when it comes, and they insist it will, its life or death will hinge largely on the House and Senate committees that consider it — and the lawmakers who lead those committees.

Committee chairs decide which bills are heard, how much time a bill gets for debate, and which amendments are considered. That’s why lobbyists often focus their efforts on swaying committee chairmen.

Atwater anticipates the drilling issue will receive such intense scrutiny, it will be impossible for a single committee chairman to wield undue influence over its fate. He chose Diaz de la Portilla for the energy post following the death this summer of Sen. Jim King of Jacksonville, the veteran lawmaker who led the committee during the 2009 session.