DeSantis Proposes $100 Million For Florida National Guard, Establish Florida State Guard

December 3, 2021

In Escambia County Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced more than $100 million in funding proposals to support Florida’s National Guard and establish the Florida State Guard, a civilian volunteer force that will assist the National Guard in state-specific emergencies

The Governor’s budget proposal includes:

  • $87.5 million to expand the existing readiness center in Miramar and to establish three new armories in Homestead, Gainesville and Malabar;
  • $8.9 million for existing armory maintenance;
  • $2.2 million for a new headquarters for the National Guard Counter Drug Program;
  • $5.1 million to support Florida National Guardsmen seeking higher-education degrees; and
  • $3.5 million to establish the Florida State Guard.

“We are proud of our veterans and active-duty military members and proud of what our communities do to support them,” DeSantis said at the Pensacola National Guard Armory. “Florida is one of the most veteran friendly states and I think there are very few places that you would rather be on duty than in the state of Florida. As a veteran, I really appreciate what everyone who wears the uniform does in our state and am excited about these proposals – they will go a long way and have a meaningful impact. In Florida, we are going to continue our momentum of supporting our military, supporting our veterans and being good stewards of our military installations.”

The military spending budget for the Florida National Guard supports emergency response services that the National Guard provides.

The establishment of the Florida State Guard will further support those emergency response efforts in the event of a hurricane, natural disasters and other state emergencies. The $3.5 million to establish the Florida State Guard will enable civilians to be trained in the best emergency response techniques. By establishing the Florida State Guard, Florida will become the 23rd state with a state guard recognized by the federal government.

The budget proposal also includes $12.2 million in scholarships for children and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans, and $3.6 million to improve base infrastructure and support projects that keep our military installations among the best in the nation.

Comments

23 Responses to “DeSantis Proposes $100 Million For Florida National Guard, Establish Florida State Guard”

  1. Char on December 5th, 2021 12:24 pm

    What about helping the middle class struggling to keep their heads above water. That’s a lot of money and where is it going to come from? I mean it sounds ok, and on a small scale would be alright, but the money could be used elsewhere.

  2. NobodyInParticular on December 5th, 2021 9:24 am

    What? Yall have an issue with citizen protecting their communities now? Weird flex, but ok

  3. Josh Jones on December 4th, 2021 12:25 pm

    Sounds like a Desantis version of the Gestapo.

  4. For it on December 4th, 2021 10:16 am

    A agree. We have gotten to the point of a tyrannical government in the white house. It is a citizens right to form a militia to fight such. I do not see where folks believe Trump was a dictator. Biden is a puppet for a socialist dictatorship body.

  5. Jill on December 4th, 2021 9:47 am

    Look at that! Safety and investing in the safety of our citizens. I really don’t understand why people are in here crying. He’s not a dictator. He’s a eff around and find outting for ALL of us. Y’all are gonna probably cry because he’s helping us out with gasoline prices too. Good job, Governor! Nikki doesn’t stand a chance! Just make sure she keeps signing my conceal carry permit, mkay?

  6. dubz on December 4th, 2021 8:23 am

    The prelude to secession. SMH

  7. Kate on December 4th, 2021 7:53 am

    Yep, he wants to be a dictator much like his mentor Trump. Its a shame.

  8. Mike O'Farrell on December 3rd, 2021 10:58 pm

    I agree with Thomas Payne. This is very scary.

  9. Caraway on December 3rd, 2021 9:44 pm

    Of course the bleeding heart Libs are going to twist and turn this to their benefit but, this isnt rare at all. 23 other states already have this same exact thing. Keep being the sheep you are though….

  10. Beach Boy on December 3rd, 2021 5:34 pm

    @Lee and Pencil….This is the BEST state and the Best Governor in America. If you DON’T like the way things are going or think you have a better idea…why don’t you move to another state or country and start your own government? Even as Governor…he’s doing ALOT better and protecting the people in Florida more than that clown in the White House!!

  11. Roger on December 3rd, 2021 5:06 pm

    Never promised to be 100% Desantis because there have been several issues that I’ve disagreed with over the last year, but creating the State Guard is nothing new are alarming. And it sure doesn’t have anything to do with “blue” states -vs- “red” states. Nor does it have anything to do with Florida not tolerating protest or looting that happens in “blue” states. Just to name a few of the 26 other states with State Guards: California, New York, Oregon and Washington. All of these states are “blue” as the sky, all have had looting and rioting and yet all have ACTIVE State Guards. This is nothing new or alarming, so calm down with the “red” -vs- “blue” and all the conspiracy theories. A little history research wouldn’t hurt any of ya, self included.

  12. John on December 3rd, 2021 1:57 pm

    Every State wishing to remain a constitutional republic must take measures that will afford them the flexibility to operate outside of the federal government if a future conflict should arise. I thought I would never see this in my lifetime, but seems like it could actually happen. I pray it doesn’t, but seems like the hand writing is on the wall.

  13. ensley boy on December 3rd, 2021 1:52 pm

    Notice there are no riots with burning buildings theft from stores etc. Thats because Gov DeSantis will not allow it like liberal governors do.

  14. Thomas Paine on December 3rd, 2021 12:46 pm

    If you can’t see the madness in this, you aren’t paying attention.

    Left or right, this is deeply concerning.

  15. Blockhead on December 3rd, 2021 12:09 pm

    More “conservative” government? HA!

    Blockhead wants to create another taxpayer-funded vanity project when we already have trained emergency responders in multiple state agencies performing the duties listed.

    He thinks his Moseley flag motto shows him standing up to the Biden when it actually shows what a small-minded troll he is.

    Bring on Nikki!

  16. David Myers on December 3rd, 2021 12:07 pm

    Nice, we get to put guns in the hands of people that really want to shoot something. Sounds good.

  17. John Doe on December 3rd, 2021 12:05 pm

    Authoritarianism!! Yea!!

  18. William 2 on December 3rd, 2021 11:50 am

    The best Governor ever, in the entire U.S.A., is trying to back the people of Florida even more. I would be Happy to volunteer for the State Militia. As a retired military veteran, this would be one more way for me to continue supporting my great state of Florida.

  19. Lee on December 3rd, 2021 10:41 am

    Reckless Ron at it again, so disgraceful.

  20. Bream Reeper II on December 3rd, 2021 9:47 am

    Isn’t it easy to tell what party the responders on this page are for. Dealing with people that can’t see the forest for the trees is laughable. We welcome folks to move here and build a great life. Leave the old politics behind in those blue states, like New York and California!

  21. Brian on December 3rd, 2021 9:34 am

    We will squash the riots. Not peaceful protest and prevent looting that takes place in blue states. Great job again Desantis!

  22. Rasheed Jackson on December 3rd, 2021 7:46 am

    Best governor ever!!

  23. pencil on December 3rd, 2021 4:10 am

    In other words, he wants to empower a militia of hand picked civilians armed with AR-15’s to run around the state to squash protestors and political opponents like they do in third world countries.

    He seriously has all the makings of a dictator . . . . he’ll be proposing a special center to imprison the opposition for “reeducation” next.

    That’s not how we do things on this end of the America’s! What happens when someone you don’t like takes office and has the same authority? This is the worst of history repeating itself.