At the end of last week, state Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, tapped state Sen. Tom Wright, R-New Smyrna Beach, to the Florida Defense Support Task Force.
Wright, the chairman of the state Senate Military and Veterans Affairs and Space Committee, replaces state Sen. Doug Broxson, R-Pensacola, whose term on the task force is scheduled to end on July 1.
“I am grateful to Senator Broxson for his years of service on the Florida Defense Task Force, particularly for the time and dedication with which he approached this important role during his service as Task Force Chair. Senator Broxson has always been a passionate advocate for Florida’s military bases and their critical missions and was particularly instrumental during the challenging time post-Hurricane Michael where we were monitoring the restoration and modernization of Tyndall Air Force Base,” said Galvano on Friday.
“Tyndall is critical to the economy of many of our Panhandle communities devastated by Hurricane Michael,” said Broxson. “I am honored to complete my service as chair with the rebuild of Tyndall Air Force Base as an efficient and resilient ‘Base of the Future’ firmly implanted on the 2019-2024 Task Force Strategic Plan.”
Galvano praised Wright as he readies to take on his new responsibilities.
“As chair of our Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, Senator Wright has been proactive in sponsoring legislation to support our active duty service members, veterans, and their families,” said Galvano. “Just this year he sponsored legislation that gives greater flexibility to students from military families who are transitioning to new schools; legislation to create the ‘Florida Veterans Protection Act,’ and he authored a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution to allow a veteran’s surviving spouse to keep the homestead property tax discount earned by a disabled veteran who has passed away. I am confident Senator Wright will represent the Senate well in this important position.”
“Florida’s Defense Support Task Force plays a critical role in furthering Florida’s status as the most military-friendly state in the nation,” said Wright. “I’m honored to represent the Senate as we work to preserve and protect Florida’s bases and missions.”
According to Galvano’s office, the Florida Defense Support Task Force “is a legislatively-mandated council…whose mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance Florida’s military missions and installations” and “works with Florida’s Base Commanders to prevent encroachment from impacting mission capabilities for military forces based in Florida.” The task force is also focused on “maintaining and expanding the missions of Florida military installations, improving transportation access, and assisting installations in meeting Department of Defense renewable energy goals” and “works to strengthen state support for military families and veterans with a focus on education, health care, employment, and family programs.”
Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.
