TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush signed several bills Tuesday meant to make military families' lives easier.
Backed by uniformed soldiers and sailors at a stars-and-stripes-studded ceremony, Bush signed bills that:
Spell out that anyone who has to quit work because a military spouse is transferred is eligible for unemployment benefits (HB 1183).
Make it easier for children of military families to get McKay scholarships, which are private school vouchers for disabled children. Normally to be eligible for the program, the child has to be in a Florida school the year before. The new (SB 1604) law says children who transfer into the state because of a military parent's order don't have to wait a year.
The same bill says local governments wishing to change their development rules near military bases must consult with the base so as to avoid development that interferes with the base's military mission. The measure also creates a grant program to encourage infrastructure improvements by local governments near bases and calls for a study of whether there is enough affordable housing for military families near bases.
Clarify existing law granting high school diplomas to veterans who dropped out of school to serve during the war in Korea (SB 1096).
Authorize the governor to present a state medal of merit for bravery (SB 1364).
Noting that May is national "military appreciation month," Bush said: "In Florida, we appreciate the military every hour of every day of every month of every year."
Florida has one of the largest military presences in the country, with personnel stationed at 21 military installations and three unified command centers.
Bush also took the opportunity to sign two flag-waving bills.
One (HB 1757) requires every Florida public school classroom to fly an American flag by August 2005. The other (HB 1009) guarantees that apartment complexes can't forbid renters to fly the flag.
