National Guard members get tuition break under bill [and other new benefits - thanks, Jeb] (AP)

AP ^ | May 24, 2002 | AP

[summer]

Gov. Bush visits with military families.

National Guard members get tuition break under bill

Friday, May 24, 2002
Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE - Members of the Florida National Guard who leave the state for active military duty and return to school in Florida before re-establishing in-state residency would qualify for in-state tuition under a bill signed Thursday by Gov. Jeb Bush.

The bill, (CS-HB 7), was named after Sgt. Larry Bowman, a former Army minister and Lake County resident who was killed Sept. 11 as he helped people flee the World Trade center. Bowman had recently moved to New York City and gotten a job at the World Trade Center as a security officer.

Another bill (HB 165) Bush signed will increase the property tax exemption from $500 to $5,000 for military veterans who have suffered a 10 percent or more disability during wartime or due to misfortune.

Vets meet with Gov. Jeb Bush.

Governor Bush Signs Bills to Aid Veterans and Military Personnel

On Memorial Day, Governor Bush signed legislation to aid military personnel and their families, as well as Florida's veterans. These bills provide tax exemptions for veterans, tuition benefits for children of military personnel, and high school diplomas for Korean War Veterans.

House Bill 165 - This bill, based on Governor Bush's proposal, increases homestead exemptions for disabled veterans from $500 to $5,000. (This is in addition to the standard $25,000 exemption.) Long overdue for an increase, this exemption has not been changed since 1916.

House Bill 7 - Named after Sergeant Larry Bowman, a resident of Lake County and former Army Minister who was killed in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, the Sergeant Larry Bowman Act allows members of the Florida National Guard to attend public colleges and universities at in-state rates.

Senate Bill 496 - This bill expands Florida's law that provides tuition benefits to children of deceased or disabled veterans of World War I, World War II and other conflicts to include children of military personnel who died or were completely disabled in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Senate Bill 292 - This bill awards high school diplomas to veterans who served in the Korean War before completing their high school graduation requirements.

[caltrop]

No, you're correct. This is of interest to me and I'm pleased to see it. Please also understand I'm particularly pleased to note that, unlike a lot of his other initiatives, these apply to all qualified veterans, their descendants, families and National Guard personnel and not just minorities and women.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Ping. (^:

[Mark Turbo]

House Bill 165 - This bill, based on Governor Bush's proposal, increases homestead exemptions for disabled veterans from $500 to $5,000. ...Long overdue for an increase, this exemption has not been changed since 1916.

No argument here.

[summer]

BTTT! Thanks for your post and back-handed compliment of our hard-working governor, caltrop! :)

[summer]

Thanks for your post, Mark. :)

[summer]

BTTT! :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[Jennifer in Florida]

Thanks for the ping! Big Go JEB bump!

[summer]

BTTT! :)

[summer]

FYI. :)