(3).jpg)
Courtesy photo.
Gov. Charlie Crist's Weekly Notes from the Capitol:
Dear Friends,
This week I have been working to protect Florida’s businesses and communities from the possible destruction of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. As the oil continues to seep into the ocean and inch towards our coastlines, it is crucial that we work from all possible angles to protect our state.
Early in the week, I met with Attorney General Bill McCollum to gather the best legal minds in our state together to begin preparing today for any future legal action we might need to take.
I called on former Attorneys General Bob Butterworth and Jim Smith to chair a Legal Advisory Council to explore options relating to the oil spill. While Florida’s beaches have not yet been impacted by this destructive spill, the many images of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico have given potential visitors false information and, therefore, negatively impacted Florida businesses.
That is why when I met with the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors, I emphasized the need for heightened outreach to potential visitors. To assist in these efforts, I requested $34.75 million from BP to enable VISIT FLORIDA to create an immediate marketing campaign to counter the negative, widespread and false information.
I also met with members of the European Union (EU) Consular Corps of Florida to discuss Florida-EU relations, including investment and tourism. I encouraged them to keep thinking of Florida as a second home, and a great place to visit and do business.
To further assist Florida’s businesses, I directed the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to issue an Emergency Final Order to accelerate preparedness and restoration in the 19 coastal counties. I also requested that the United States Small Business Administration make low-interest loans available to impacted businesses in the same counties.
Florida will continue to be one of the world’s top tourist destinations. We are working closely with our federal partners and BP to protect Florida’s beaches and the communities, businesses and entire industries potentially impacted by the Gulf oil spill.