Jason Delgado
Hoping to distinguish Florida as the most military-friendly state in the nation, Gov. Ron DeSantis rolled out a budget proposal Thursday that would develop new armories and establish a secondary paramilitary force in Florida, among other objectives.
A veteran himself, DeSantis is recommending more than $100 million to support the Florida National Guard.
The bulk of the funding — roughly $85 million — would fund the construction of three additional armories, located in Homestead, Gainesville and Malabar, as well as expansion of a readiness center in Miramar. The armories would collectively house more than 1,500 troops, DeSantis said.
“Florida is one of the most veteran friendly states and I think there are very few places that you would rather be on duty than in the state of Florida,” DeSantis added. “As a veteran, I really appreciate what everyone who wears the uniform does in our state and am excited about these proposals — they will go a long way and have a meaningful impact.”
The recommendation also includes $8.9 million for armory maintenance and $2.2 million for a new National Guard Counterdrug Program headquarters.
Some armories are 50 to nearly 100 years old and require extensive maintenance. The counterdrug program, meanwhile, is a National Guard effort to combat drug trafficking alongside law enforcement partners.
“This program assists law enforcement efforts to reduce the supply of illegal drugs and will continue to fill an unfortunate void left by the (Joe) Biden administration’s open border agenda,” DeSantis said.
Further, DeSantis is offering $5.1 million to increase access to the education benefits entitled to soldiers and airmen. Service members went months without state education benefits this year despite serving amid the busiest activation period since World War II.
Other key budget items include $12.2 million to fund scholarships for children and spouses of dead or deceased veterans and $3.5 million to reestablish the Florida State Guard (FSG).
Unlike the Florida National Guard, the FSG would answer solely to the Governor. No federal deployments. No federal missions. No federal dollars.
Florida would become the 23rd state with a state guard recognized by the federal government, if successful.
19 comments
Captain Howdy
December 2, 2021 at 4:47 pm
So where are all the left turds screaming fascist fascist fascist? C’mon PeterH Cabana Boy. You must be wetting yourself over this LOL
Alex
December 2, 2021 at 6:31 pm
DeAnus the far right freakshow and his own little MAGA army to fight the “war” against the little brown people crossing the border for a better life.
Dovetails well into Trump’s thinly veiled racist border hysteria that far right loons love so dearly.
Only problem? Florida isn’t on the border, and the drug threat is 99% made up.
Is georgia going to invade? Maybe cuba will try a D-Day style attack? Lol
So what would a far right Trumpist governor need with a military force under his sole command when there is no threat to protect us from?
James Dale MattixM
December 3, 2021 at 10:29 am
Senior Doomass,
You do realize that 22 other State Guards? Commiefornia, New Yuck, Texas…just to name three.
This has ZERO to do with MAGA, Trump, or any other of the gremlins living under your foil hat rent free.
You do realize that Florida has more border than any other State in the US? It’s called THEN ENTIRE FREAKING COASTLINE.
Did you do any research on this before spouting off?
Captain Howdy
December 3, 2021 at 1:05 pm
LOL The Arrogant Worm Alex spouts off, squirms in his own shit, and thinks he’s brilliant. A bundle of leftyturd memes rattles around inside his fugly head and being such a narcissist, he assumes he’s lightyears smarter than anybody else.
Captain Howdy
December 4, 2021 at 10:13 am
Worm Alex only gets excited when he admires his own shit posted, or watching Pornhub.
Alex
December 4, 2021 at 9:02 am
Yawn.
Robert H Hogner
December 3, 2021 at 8:06 am
Freedom First!
Every freedom loving state needs a personal paramilitary force to ensure appropriate freedoms are guaranteed and inappropriate freedoms are destroyed.
Ron Ogden
December 3, 2021 at 8:46 am
From the Governor’s announcement: “The establishment of the Florida State Guard will further support those emergency response efforts in the event of a hurricane, natural disasters and other state emergencies. The $3.5 million to establish the Florida State Guard will enable civilians to be trained in the best emergency response techniques. By establishing the Florida State Guard, Florida will become the 23rd state with a state guard recognized by the federal government.”
Hm m m m. . .”emergency response efforts”, “hurricane, natural disasters and other state emergencies,” “best emergency response techniques.” Well, Alex, doesn’t sound much like the Schutzstafl to me. Maybe to you. But then you sound like a “defund the police”-er to me.
Captain Howdy
December 3, 2021 at 9:46 am
Alex is an ingnorant arrogant worm squirming in his own rancid bile and shit.
Ron Ogden
December 3, 2021 at 8:51 am
And, no, unlike the photo FLAPOL has selected to go with the story, there won’t be any tanks included.
zhombre
December 3, 2021 at 2:50 pm
LOL these people like the hysterical guy above are beyond ridiculous https://twitchy.com/samj-3930/2021/12/03/former-obama-guy-loses-his-sht-in-thread-about-desantis-preparing-for-a-break-from-the-fed-govt-for-reactivating-fl-state-guard-and-rofl/
Ocean Joe
December 3, 2021 at 5:06 pm
The “we hate big government crowd” loves more expansion of it.
Stringhawk
December 3, 2021 at 8:12 pm
3.5 million to train and equip 200 VOLUNTEERS? What exactly are we arming/training them for/with? $17,500 per person for helping with natural disasters and “other things” responsible only to the governor? Seriously? We are NOT at war. Sending 3.5 million to the Red Cross might be better spent. Is our Governor planning war? Dang. Against who?
Beth
December 4, 2021 at 12:10 am
I’m not concerned about immigrants. I am concerned about insecure little men who are trying to destroy Democracy by forming their own militia. DeSantis is devolving at a rapid rate, he needs to be voted out and placed on the trash heap of history.
Concern Citizen
December 4, 2021 at 7:53 am
Can’t wait to live in a military state.
Jerry
December 4, 2021 at 3:00 pm
We already do. The federal government is trying to force injections into your arm. Look what the governments are doing in Australia and Europe. They aren’t free countries anymore thanks to the COVID-tyrants.
Concern Citizen
December 5, 2021 at 11:54 am
Yes, and before you know it —- the government will not allow women to make free choices about their bodies.
Sister Fabiola Au Jus
December 4, 2021 at 1:55 pm
When he attended Our Lady of The Lake Catholic Elementary School, I remember the day when 8 year old Ronnie DeSantis had his little box of plastic soldiers stolen from his book bag. He came up to me on the playground to report the loss. I thought he was going to cry, but the strangest thing happened: he laughed. He laughed and then his eyes turned into little black beads on a bloodshot background as he looked up at me and said, “You’ll see, Sister They’ll all see! I’ll have my soldiers back one day, and they will do my bidding! My bidding, do you hear! They will be mine, allllllll mine! And I will not share them.” Then he walked away, not back to the other children playing, but to the school building, stopping only once to turn and say, “You’ll see, Sister Fabiola. You’ll see.” And by God, it looks like he really meant it, bless his heart.
Tom
December 5, 2021 at 9:23 am
Beth less, non concerned, illegal citizen, and sista needs a bed down.
The three of you combined demonstrate your liberal pathetic ignorance. Total ridiculous statements and lies.
America’s Governor the best!
Big win Gov Ron November/22.
Comments are closed.