Okaloosa County Welcomes Governor DeSantis Again
The Governor
has visited Okaloosa County four times officially this calendar year. In
February, the Governor visited Niceville at Northwest Florida State College to
announce a bill allocating $10 million for workforce charter schools. In April,
the Governor stopped in Destin to proclaim the extended Snapper fishing season.
In May, the
Governor stopped in Crestview to announce the $3.2 million Shoal River Ranch extension.
In June, the Governor stopped in Ft. Walton Beach to sign six military-related
bills into law. The bills either expand educational opportunities for
active-duty military members and veterans or help them advance into career
fields.
The military and
veterans appreciate the Governor for supporting these bills and signing them
into law. These bills are life-changing as men and women depart the armed
forces to enter the next phase of their lives, and I know this first-hand.
I enlisted in
the Air Force when I was 17 years old and used the GI Bill to help offset the
costs of attending college. I gave my country six years, and America rewarded
me with an education. Because Pennsylvania was a pro-military state, they
helped me earn my college degree at Penn State University, finishing without
going into debt. That was forty years ago, and Florida is doing even more!
The Governor signed:
1) House Bill 45—provides tuition assistance for disabled veterans to eliminate
education costs.
2) Senate Bill
430—ensures a smooth school transition for children of military families.
3) Senate Bill
514—employers at state agencies can substitute military experience for
post-secondary educational requirements.
4) Senate Bill
896—provides untraditional pathways to educator certification to service
members allowing military service to count towards a teacher's certificate.
5) Senate Bill
562—requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to expedite
license applications of active-duty military spouses.
6) Senate Bill
438—updates Florida’s definition of Uniformed Service to include the United
States Space Force and updates military base names.
The Governor’s
news release stated, “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. 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.”
Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard Major General James O.
Eifert joined Governor DeSantis, along with Florida Department of Education
Senior Chancellor Henry Mack, and Executive Director of the Florida Department
of Veterans’ Affairs retired Major General James S. “Hammer” Hartsell.
MajGen James Hartsell commenced by saying, “It is truly an honor to be here
with the Commander-in-Chief of the state of Florida this morning. As a 37-year
Marine, I know about leadership, and I am truly honored to serve this leader.”
He pointed out that Governor DeSantis is the only currently serving veteran
Governor to have deployed overseas in combat. “Our Governor’s leadership has
made us the most veteran-friendly state in the nation. …Today’s bills that he
will be signing will be reinforcing our state's success.” He continued by
pointing out that our Governor has made Florida the most sought-after state by
veterans.
The Governor seems to have his pulse on the desires and wishes of his
constituents. This truth showed as the crowd was enthusiastic and supportive of
the legislation coming out of Tallahassee. I was blessed to witness the crowd
show support for a strong leader loved for doing the right thing.
