Call your house member - it's the Senate's version or nothing at all...

>>Why would a democratic controled house and senate not do something like this? Surely they are only concerned about whats best for the people.

They can't. Because of the house version and the opt out program, it becomes profitable to drill and explore in environmentally sensitive areas. It's a lot of redstates (North and South Carolina), purple ones (Florida) and blue ones (California, Maryland, Delaware) that are most opposed to any opening up of those waters for profitability. And on top of that, you have environmentalists generally opposed to any drilling. The Senate's version only deals with Texas, Louisiana, Missisippi and Alabama. It does not affect any of the other states. That's another issue entirely.

Knowing you Jeff, I'm thinking you're being a little faceitous here. But this is a weird alliance of republican governors, environmentalists, tourism bureaus and such that oppose it (along with future Senate Energy Chairman Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico who opposes the money going to the states and believes it should continue to go to the Federal government).

So dude, call your congressman and tell them to get behind it. Louisiana can help itself in the future with our fair share of the royalties.

TPS