Governor Rick Scott Signed the Florida GI Bill into Law
This week, which marked the halfway point of the 2014 Legislative Session, Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 7015, making Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation. By passing the Florida GI Bill, Florida opened its arms to the men and women returning to their loved ones after courageously serving our country. Tens of thousands of active duty servicemen and women, military retirees and their families will see expanded education and career development opportunities to help them succeed. The Florida Senate is proud to celebrate the service and valor of those who protect our freedoms.
The Florida GI Bill provides an additional $22.2 million to support our military communities through education, technical training, base buffering, and modernizing the state's armories. This bill establishes the Congressman C. W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program which will waive out-of-state tuition fees for veterans enrolled in Florida colleges, universities, and career centers.
The Florida GI Bill also creates 'Florida is for Veterans, Inc.', which will serve to promote the valuable skills and experiences possessed by military veterans to businesses throughout Florida. Under the bill, veterans from across the nation will have a place to get information about the benefits of living in Florida, to seek out veteran-specific workforce training, and connect with employers who value a strong, military skill set.
Supporting South Lee County's Opportunity for a Hospital
On Wednesday I wrote the Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), as well as the Governor, to ask that they reconsider the denial of the proposed hospital that would help provide access to care in Estero and Bonita Springs.
Throughout the last decade the population of south Lee County has grown rapidly. This population shift creates a need to bring healthcare services closer to where residents live. Ambulance drive times average more than 20 minutes much of the year which is unacceptable for our residents. I truly believe approval of the application by Lee Memorial Health System will greatly improve access to emergency and hospital services in the Estero and Bonita Springs Community.
Senate Bill 1480: Florida Microfinance Act Passes Committee Unanimously
One of the top cited needs of small businesses today is a lack of access to capital. On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development unanimously approved Senate Bill 1480, which will establish two programs aimed to increase the availability of microloans to small businesses. I'm proud to be the sponsor of this bill.
SB 1480 is a small businesses accelerator because hard working and creditworthy businesses experiencing fast paced growth, whose financing needs have not been viewed as profitable by banks, will now have a better chance at attaining access to capital to expand at the rate that their market demands.
Often times banks find this type of lending less than desirable because loan amounts are too small to recoup underwriting costs, pay loan processing expenses and earn an adequate profit for the lender. However, by making capital available to lenders at below market costs, the Florida Microfinance Act will stimulate growth, expansion, and job creation within creditworthy small businesses throughout our state.
Senate Bill 362: Helping Families Prepare for Hurricane
This week, which marked the halfway point of the 2014 Legislative Session, Governor Rick Scott signed House Bill 7015, making Florida the most military-friendly state in the nation. By passing the Florida GI Bill, Florida opened its arms to the men and women returning to their loved ones after courageously serving our country. Tens of thousands of active duty servicemen and women, military retirees and their families will see expanded education and career development opportunities to help them succeed. The Florida Senate is proud to celebrate the service and valor of those who protect our freedoms.
The Florida GI Bill provides an additional $22.2 million to support our military communities through education, technical training, base buffering, and modernizing the state's armories. This bill establishes the Congressman C. W. Bill Young Veteran Tuition Waiver Program which will waive out-of-state tuition fees for veterans enrolled in Florida colleges, universities, and career centers.
The Florida GI Bill also creates 'Florida is for Veterans, Inc.', which will serve to promote the valuable skills and experiences possessed by military veterans to businesses throughout Florida. Under the bill, veterans from across the nation will have a place to get information about the benefits of living in Florida, to seek out veteran-specific workforce training, and connect with employers who value a strong, military skill set.
Supporting South Lee County's Opportunity for a Hospital
On Wednesday I wrote the Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), as well as the Governor, to ask that they reconsider the denial of the proposed hospital that would help provide access to care in Estero and Bonita Springs.
Throughout the last decade the population of south Lee County has grown rapidly. This population shift creates a need to bring healthcare services closer to where residents live. Ambulance drive times average more than 20 minutes much of the year which is unacceptable for our residents. I truly believe approval of the application by Lee Memorial Health System will greatly improve access to emergency and hospital services in the Estero and Bonita Springs Community.
Senate Bill 1480: Florida Microfinance Act Passes Committee Unanimously
One of the top cited needs of small businesses today is a lack of access to capital. On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development unanimously approved Senate Bill 1480, which will establish two programs aimed to increase the availability of microloans to small businesses. I'm proud to be the sponsor of this bill.
SB 1480 is a small businesses accelerator because hard working and creditworthy businesses experiencing fast paced growth, whose financing needs have not been viewed as profitable by banks, will now have a better chance at attaining access to capital to expand at the rate that their market demands.
Often times banks find this type of lending less than desirable because loan amounts are too small to recoup underwriting costs, pay loan processing expenses and earn an adequate profit for the lender. However, by making capital available to lenders at below market costs, the Florida Microfinance Act will stimulate growth, expansion, and job creation within creditworthy small businesses throughout our state.
Senate Bill 362: Helping Families Prepare for Hurricane