Held at veteran-owned Props Craft Brewery and Taproom in Fort Walton Beach, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently visited our area to sign six bills that support veterans, military members and their families in finding employment and educational opportunities in Florida. These pieces of legislation build on funding provided in the Freedom First Budget he signed in June to support Florida’s military members and their families.
“Florida is the most military friendly state in the nation, and I am proud to continue that commitment to our military members and their families by signing these pieces of legislation,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Providing military families with the resources they need to receive a high-quality education and find good jobs is the best way that we as a state can show our appreciation for the sacrifices that they make.”
“I’d like to thank the Legislature and Gov. DeSantis for all they’ve done for the soldiers and airmen of the Florida National Guard,” said Maj. Gen. Jim Eifert, The Adjutant General of Florida. “These bills will go a long way to help our citizen soldiers and their spouses have opportunities for meaningful employment. Solid career opportunities lead to a well-rounded and ready force, and a stable home environment prepares our Guardsmen and their families for deployments, to include disaster response.”
“Gov. DeSantis continues to deliver on his promise to provide a work-ready, high-quality postsecondary education for our veterans and service-members,” said Senior Chancellor Henry Mack. “Today’s new laws guarantee our state and technical colleges stand ready and equipped to remove all educational barriers for our military families.”
“We’re very appreciative of Gov. DeSantis’ unwavering support of Florida’s 1.5 million veterans, their families and survivors. As a Navy combat deployed veteran, he appreciates the importance of expanding earned benefit eligibility to our active-duty members, our veterans, and their family members,” said retired Marine Corps Major General James S. “Hammer” Hartsell, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “Working together to offer enhanced educational and workforce opportunities for our nation’s heroes, we’ll ensure Florida continues to be the most sought-after state by veterans in the nation.”
“Gov. DeSantis has prioritized Florida’s military communities, and DEO is proud to support his efforts through innovative and dynamic opportunities,” said Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Secretary Dane Eagle. “Projects funded through DEO’s military grant programs promote economic growth and diversification in military communities and enhance the lives of all Floridians.”
Props Craft Brewery was founded originally by two USAF Special Operations Pilots with a passion for brewing beer, but has grown into a regional brewery operated by Nathan Vannatter, Mike Kee, Brian O’Neill and Travis Peterson. Mike, Nate and Travis spent most of their lives serving in the USAF. “I enlisted in the Air Force when I was 18 years old,” said Nate, one of the owners in attendance. “I used the GI Bill and an ROTC scholarship to get a commission. 10 years after that commission, my partners and I used a VA/SBA loan to start our business right here in Fort Walton Beach. I thank the Governor for his support of these veteran bills. As these men and women depart the armed forces and go into the next phase of their life, these bills are really going to mean something.”
The six bills will support education opportunities for veterans and children of active-duty military as well as expand access to employment opportunities by removing barriers to licensure and postsecondary education requirements. Those bills are:
– House Bill (HB) 45 provides educational opportunities for disabled veterans by providing additional assistance to achieve a 100 percent award for tuition and fees.
– Senate Bill (SB) 430 reenacts the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children which ensures a smooth transition for children of active-duty military families by enabling seamless school placement, enrollment, records transfers, and verification of graduation requirements.
– SB 514 allows state agencies to substitute work experience, including military experience, for postsecondary education to allow veterans to use on the job experience to apply for civilian jobs.
– SB 896 will help veterans access jobs in education by allowing their military service to count toward the requirement for a temporary educator certificate under the mentorship of a certified teacher.
– SB 562 requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to expedite license applications of active-duty military spouses.
– SB 438 updates Florida’s definition of Uniformed Service to include the U.S. Space Force and updates military base names.
The Governor also announced that CareerSource Florida and state workforce agencies will dedicate $20 million in targeted workforce training supports for Florida’s veterans. This funding will focus on high demand industries including aviation, aerospace and defense. Gov. DeSantis stated there are over 70,000 active duty or reserve enrolled in our colleges where we are currently underwriting the cost of tuition.
“We have more infrastructure than ever for our transportation; we’ve given parents access to the curriculums and we’re fighting Biden at the border,” said Gov. DeSantis. “We all have a responsibility to be fighting back.”
