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House lawmakers voted to let a federal ban on offshore drilling expire. If the ban expires, states would have the final say so on drilling near their coasts. Governor Charlie Crist said the ban needs to be lifted.

“I feel like states ought to have the right to have that determination about offshore drilling. It helps the economy, it gives people more choice. It’s also, I think a national security issue, and creates a more independent America and Florida, but I’ll reserve judgment till I see that in my view, its far enough, safe enough, and clean enough,” said Crist.

Even if the ban is lifted, a different ban adopted in 2006 would still prohibit drilling off of most of Florida’s gulf coast.