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TALLAHASSEE -- Surrounded by members of the
armed forces and military veterans, Gov. Charlie
Crist paid tribute to the military services
today with the ceremonial signing of four new
laws passed in the 2007 legislative session.
"We are eternally thankful for the commitment of
those in uniform who protect and defend our
freedom at home and abroad," Crist said.
"While we can never truly repay them for their
sacrifice, through these important pieces of
legislation, along with our prayers for peace
and for their safety, we can offer our troops a
tangible example of our appreciation for their
good work."
Tammy Wise-Thrash attended the ceremonial
signing of the law named for her son, an Army
specialist who was killed in Iraq in 2003. The
Robert A. Wise Military Protection Act increases
civil penalties for unauthorized use of photos
or other images of military members on
commercial products.
After Wise was killed, his picture was used on
anti-war T-shirts, without his family's
permission.
Sen. Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach Gardens, said
"hucksters" have peddled phone cards and other
products with photos of service members, preying
on the patriotism of potential purchasers.
Other new laws would:
* Extend need-based emergency financial
assistance to service members and dependents for
up to 120 days after members leave active duty,
to help with housing and other living expenses
as they return to civilian life.
* Provide a permanent hiring preference for
veterans seeking jobs with state government.
Previously, the veterans' preference could be
used only once.
* Provide greater property tax relief for
wounded veterans. Under the new law, a veteran
with a combat-related disability would get a tax
reduction in proportion to their disability
classification.
Rep. Stan Jordan, R-Jacksonville, said that
under his bill, a veteran with a 75 percent
disability would get a 75 percent cut in
property taxes. The exemption applies only to
veterans over age 65 who were Florida residents
when they joined the service. |
