Staff Reports
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ second budget continues his administration’s emphasis on workforce education funding, and Veterans Florida is on board.
Veterans Florida is a nonprofit group founded by the state. Its mission is to help exiting service members transition to civilian life, and to promote Florida as the nation’s most veteran-friendly state.
Their job could get a little easier if they get the funding boost they asked for, which would bring their annual budget to $500,000. The budget request also made it into DeSantis’ recommendation.
“We’d like to thank Gov. Desantis for his ongoing commitment to providing Florida’s 1.5 million military veterans, and those who move here upon transition from service, with the tools they need to succeed in civilian life,” Veterans Florida Executive Director Joe Marino said.
“Fully funding Veterans Florida’s budget request demonstrates Gov. Desantis’ understanding of the issues that matter most to veterans: opportunities to find a career or pursue a business venture in a state that welcomes them.”
The group is also praising a $2.5 million allocation for the Veterans Employment and Training Services program, which would be housed under the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.
Per the budget request: “The funds will be used to serve service members, veterans, and spouses through skills assessment and resume assistance, assist Florida employers on hiring and training veterans in high skilled jobs, provide entrepreneurship resources, mentorship, or direct training, and reach service members, veterans, and spouses with information about Florida, to include employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.”
