Crist seeks $100 million from BP for oil spill monitoring in Florida

Tourism is one of the state’s biggest sources of
revenue, and there are concerns about the oil spill’s effects on the
state’s beaches and fishing industry. 

Offshore drilling has
become an issue in the Senate race, where Crist is the independent
candidate. Democratic candidate Rep. Kendrick Meek has called for a
stop to the expansion of drilling off Florida’s coasts.

Republican candidate Marco Rubio has accused Crist of using the spill for political gain.

“I think Governor Crist never passes up an opportunity to do something
that benefits his career politically, and I think you’re seeing some of
that now. But that’s also the job of being governor,” he told the Orlando Sun-Sentinel.

The oil slick has drifted within 10 miles of Florida’s coastline, and tarballs have already been spotted in Pensacola.

Cross-posted from E2-Wire.