Gov. Charlie Crist Extends State of Emergency Due to Oil Spill

Gov. Charlie Crist issued executive order 10-191 that will extend his "declaration of a state of emergency due to ongoing economic impact from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill," according to a memorandum from the governor's office issued late Thursday afternoon.

The declaration has been amended so that itcovers only seven of the most affected counties, which include Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf and Franklin.

Crist's statement: While we are grateful the Deepwater Horizon well stopped gushing oil more than a month ago, counties in Northwest Florida hardest hit by oil continue to see hotel and travel cancellations. These counties still need our assistance to strengthen their economies, and we must be wise and prudent to do so. I remain committed to helping affected individuals, businesses and local governments recoup any economic losses they experienced, whether due to oil in the Gulf of Mexico coming ashore or the publics misperceptions about the extent of the oils impact.