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Weekly Update from Senator Greg Evers

September 25, 2011

This week marked the start of the committee meetings for the 2012 Session - and what a week it has been!

I filed Senate Bill 310 to provide for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to issue Silver Star, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross and Air Force Cross license plates, without requiring payment of the license tax, to service men and women who received those awards.

I also signed on to co-sponsor two other bills in support of our veterans. Senate Bill 94 would allow priority course registration for veterans who meet eligibility requirements at Florida College System institutions and state universities. It would also encourage independent post-secondary schools to provide priority course registration for veterans.

Senate Bill 138, or the “T. Patt Maney Veterans’ Treatment Intervention Act,” would provide that veterans found to have committed a criminal offense, who maintain that the offense resulted from post-traumatic stress disorder or other physical or psychological problem that stems from service in combat in the U.S. Military, may have a hearing on that issue before sentencing. Through the creation of these "veteran's courts" it is my sincere hope that we can provide the necessary treatment to the men and women who served our country in wartime.

Also in Tallahassee this week, Senator Don Gaetz, my friend and fellow legislator from the Panhandle, was officially designated as the Senate President for the 2012 - 2014 legislative term. I wish Don the best of luck and look forward to the contributions his vision and leadership will bring to Northwest Florida and our great state.

I wish everyone a restful weekend and I hope everyone has been tuning in to the events in Orlando as Presidency 5 kicked off on Thursday. I was down in Orlando for the festivities and I will tell you - it was an experience! From the presidential debates to the straw poll to the voting in of Chairman Curry who will lead us to victory in November - it was a GOPing weekend!

God Bless,

Greg