VETERANS CUTS HURT, NOT HELP, FLORIDA’S BUDGET

There are more than 1.8 million veterans living in Florida. There is no doubt that, no matter your perspective on current conflicts, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who defended our country over the years. That’s why it’s a shame that Governor Crist’s budget delivers such a slap in the face to our valiant fellow citizens.

According to numerous newspaper reports, the Governor’s budget slashes funding for the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs from $77 million to $60 million, a cut of 21.5 percent. The DVA received the third-largest cut among the state’s 33 agencies.

Is this any way to run a government?

I’m a veteran of the US Coast Guard, and serve as a board member of the Broward Veterans Services Council, as well as run the Gold Coast chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights as their president and national treasurer. AVER is a non-profit association of reserve and veteran service members dedicated to full and equal rights and equitable treatment for all present and former members of the US Armed Forces. We focus on ensuring veterans are treated fairly, on issues like health care and other benefits.

Now, we all realize Floridians are hurting. Our economy is stumbling, gas prices keep rising, our drought continues, and the next hurricane season is just around the corner. Add to that the burden of municipalities having to cut services to accommodate the revenue shortfall left by the property tax amendment, and you’ve got a recipe for uncertainty.

And that’s the rub – Governor Crist championed the property tax cut amendment that voters passed in January, giving homeowners a break of about $240 a year on their property taxes, but ensuring that other services are cut. Services veterans rely on.

As a candidate for the State Legislature from House District 92, I find this appalling. As an accountant and financial professional, I make my living helping people protect their interests. From where I stand, no one has been served well. It’s up to the Legislature to fix this horrendous problem. But will they?

There are no accountants in the Legislature, and few veterans. Let’s hope someone steps up and speaks out for the 1.8 million Floridians who need their voices heard.