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Honoring Those Who Put Their Lives on the Line to Defend Our Freedoms With over 225,000 active military personnel, over 12,000 National Guardsmen and 1.8 million veterans calling Florida home, it is vital that we continue to improve the lives of our military men and women. I am immensely grateful to these brave men and women and feel their call to duty should be answered with our own call to action. In the aftermath of the 2000 election, I helped to enact the “Military and Overseas Voter Protection Act” to ensure that military and overseas ballots are received, handled and counted properly. For far too long our military voters were neglected and cast aside, but it was vital to make sure that their votes were counted and their voices were heard. We helped to fully restore their voting rights and ability to make a difference in state and national elections - a long overdue reform. Providing for Our Soldiers and Their Families During my tenure as an elected official, I have worked to pass legislation providing members of the United States Armed Forces with relief from financial obligations when they're forced to move due to military orders. The Legislature has also helped to relieve soldiers from housing penalties when a deployment requires them to break a lease, a rental agreement or car insurance policy. Military spouses are protected because they cannot be disqualified for unemployment insurance benefits for voluntarily terminating work to relocate as a result of their spouse's relocation. And lastly, in 2005, Florida enacted measures requiring that the state pay all life insurance premiums for our Florida National Guard Members. It is imperative that our military men and women continue to be rewarded for their sacrificial service. To create a better future for their families, we have made it easier for certain military-dependent children to access scholarships, tuition assistance programs, and certain high school graduation requirements. The Legislature also voted to provide financial assistance for higher education to families of deceased military personnel or those who have suffered a service-related permanent disability while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. Assisting our Disabled Veterans But we know that our local communities can also answer this call to action for those that have served in the military, so we are asking our residents to build upon the $5,000 homestead property tax exemption that currently benefits disabled veterans. This coming election day (November 7, 2006), voters have the opportunity to approve a constitutional amendment that would grant qualified disabled veterans over the age of 65 an additional discount on the amount of ad valorem tax otherwise owed on their homestead property. Our dedicated veterans need our help back home, just as we needed them at our boarders and abroad during their time of service. No matter how big or small the issue or concern may be — I stand with our servicemen and women and our military veterans every step of the way. From making sure that Floridians have the right to fly the flags of various branches of government to ensuring that our enlisted and veterans have the financial assistance they need, my commitment to them is as strong as their dedication to our country. Florida's active duty and retired military personnel are truly inspiring and I pledge to continue to honor them and their families. Report Card
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Over the years, I have supported numerous efforts to ensure that our veterans and servicemen and women are taken care of back home and abroad. These dedicated Americans should not have to worry about their right to vote, their educational future, their loved ones back home or financial obligations they have left behind when called into service.