TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis paid tribute to the state’s 1.5 million veterans on Veterans Day by awarding $1.5 million to help those recovering from substance abuse. DeSantis highlighted various ways in which the state provides support for its veterans in a press release on Friday.
The funds will go to the Recovery Housing Program (RHP), which includes relocation payments, rental assistance, new construction, acquisition, and/or rehabilitation of housing facilities.
“Florida’s veterans have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedoms, and in return we are working hard to ensure they have the resources and support they need to be successful and take care of their families,” DeSantis said. “My administration will continue to invest in our veterans in the same way that they made sacrifices to invest in the freedom of our nation.”
Happy Veterans Day! Our veterans have made countless sacrifices to protect our freedoms.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) November 11, 2022
In Florida, we are working hard to ensure they have the resources and support they need to be successful and take care of their families. pic.twitter.com/i27J3aOcNw
UNIQUE BENEFITS FOR FLORIDA VETS
The press release spotlighted various benefits available to veterans in the Sunshine State, such as those offered by The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA), Veterans Florida, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Florida Housing Finance Coalition (Florida Housing) and Enterprise Florida.
“On this Veterans Day, we’re very appreciative of Governor DeSantis’ unwavering support of Florida’s 1.5 million veterans, their families, and survivors,” retired Marine Corps Major General James S. “Hammer” Hartsell said. Hartsell currently serves as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
“Florida offers unique benefits such as in-state tuition rates for veterans and their families using the Post-9/11 GI Bill, several layers of property tax exemptions, expanded veterans’ preference, and extensive benefits, licensure and fee waivers for many activities and occupations,” Hartsell added.
FLORIDA: AMERICA’S MOST VETERAN-FRIENDLY STATE
In 2014, Florida TaxWatch called Florida the nation’s “most veteran-friendly state” due to its tax benefits for veterans. The DeSantis administration has done their best to ensure that reputation stays intact.
In June, DeSantis signed six bills to help improve quality of life improvements to military veterans and their families. The legislation will support education opportunities for veterans and children of active-duty military, and expand access to employment opportunities by removing barriers to licensure and postsecondary education requirements.
Last Veterans Day, the governor announced $8.6 million to help support career and workforce training opportunities for military veterans and their spouses. The grants came from the Get There Faster: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Governor’s Reserve Funds and went to workforce development boards across the state.
