Governor Ron DeSantis released his Freedom First Budget recommendations, which include key funding initiatives for the Florida National Guard.
The Governor’s budget would invest more than $100 million for the men and women of the Florida National Guard to remain ready and able to support their national, state and community missions. The recommendations include funding to maintain and repair armories, construct four new facilities, and provide tuition assistance to Guardsmen for higher education.
“The Florida National Guard has worked more days on State Active Duty in the past 20 months than in the previous 20 years combined, and we’ve deployed more than 25,000 of our Soldiers and Airmen in support of federal missions since 9/11,” said Maj. Gen. James Eifert, the Adjutant General of Florida. “Governor DeSantis’ continued commitment to the Florida National Guard and its members helps us maintain our readiness and ensure the safety and security of our citizens and neighbors. We are so appreciative of his support and leadership.”
Governor DeSantis’ recommended budget includes more than $8.9 million to maintain and repair armories. This investment will ensure that the updated facilities continue to enable Florida Guardsmen to be trained and ready to react when the state or nation calls upon them.
In addition to armory maintenance and repair, Governor DeSantis’ 2022-2023 budget provides approximately $87.5 million to expand the existing Miramar armory and build three new armories in Homestead, Malabar and Gainesville, expanding the Florida National Guard into even more Florida communities.
The Governor’s budget includes an additional $2 million for the state’s Educational Dollars for Duty program, which will provide a total of $5.1 million for tuition assistance for Guardsmen at public or private institutions in Florida, enabling our state’s Soldiers and Airmen to seek higher education.
The Governor’s budget also invests $2.2 million for a new headquarters facility for the Counterdrug Program, to further support the ongoing fight against illegal and dangerous drug activities in Florida.
In addition to the Governor’s continuous support of the Florida National Guard, the Governor’s budget includes the strengthening of our State’s overall emergency response capabilities through the establishment of the Florida State Guard. This investment furthers the Governor’s commitment to protect and serve Floridians, as members will augment our Florida Guardsmen during critical response efforts to state emergencies.
