Senate President Commends Senator Broxson on Successful Year as Task Force Chair
Senate President Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton) today appointed Senator Tom Wright (R-New Smyrna Beach), Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and Space, to the Florida Defense Support Task Force. Senator Wright replaces Senator Doug Broxson (R-Pensacola), whose completes his term as Task Force Chair on July 1, 2020.
“I am grateful to Senator Broxson for his years of service on the Florida Defense Task Force, particularly for the time and dedication with which he approached this important role during his service as Task Force Chair. Senator Broxson has always been a passionate advocate for Florida’s military bases and their critical missions and was particularly instrumental during the challenging time post-Hurricane Michael where we were monitoring the restoration and modernization of Tyndall Air Force Base,” said President Galvano.
“Tyndall is critical to the economy of many of our Panhandle communities devastated by Hurricane Michael,” said Senator Broxson. “I am honored to complete my service as Chair with the rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base as an efficient and resilient ‘Base of the Future’ firmly implanted on the 2019-2024 Task Force Strategic Plan,” said Senator Broxson.
“As Chair of our Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Senator Wright has been proactive in sponsoring legislation to support our active duty service members, veterans, and their families,” said President Galvano. “Just this year he sponsored legislation that gives greater flexibility to students from military families who are transitioning to new schools; legislation to create the ‘Florida Veterans Protection Act,’ and he authored a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution to allow a veteran’s surviving spouse to keep the homestead property tax discount earned by a disabled veteran who has passed away. I am confident Senator Wright will represent the Senate well in this important position.”
“Florida’s Defense Support Task Force plays a critical role in furthering Florida’s status as the most military friendly state in the nation,” said Senator Wright. “I’m honored to represent the Senate as we work to preserve and protect Florida’s bases and missions.”
The Florida Defense Support Task Force is a legislatively-mandated council (created by Florida Statute 288.987) whose mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance Florida’s military missions and installations. The position of Task Force Chair rotates annually between appointees of the Senate President and the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
The Florida Defense Support Task Force works with Florida’s Base Commanders to prevent encroachment from impacting mission capabilities for military forces based in Florida. The Task Force is also charged with maintaining and expanding the missions of Florida military installations, improving transportation access, and assisting installations in meeting Department of Defense renewable energy goals. Additionally, the Task Force works to strengthen state support for military families and veterans with a focus on education, health care, employment, and family programs.
