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Bill Should Arm Florida To Defend Military Bases

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 31, 2009

A forward-thinking bill meant to defend Florida's military bases from indiscriminate budget cuts is progressing in the Legislature. And that should be good for the nation's defense and Florida's economy.

Some may view it as little more than grandstanding on the part of sponsors, Republican Sens. Don Gaetz of Niceville and Durell Peaden of Crestview, especially since the closure of military bases is a federal prerogative. But it is smart for Florida to establish a committee that is prepared for the political dogfight that accompanies any consideration of base realignments and closures.

And given President Barack Obama's pledge to trim an exploding deficit, it is a sure bet military spending is going to be scrutinized.

The mission of the legislation's proposed nine-member council - which would have associated working groups - should be to understand the operations of Florida's military installations and be prepared to defend those that are justified, which we suspect will be all of them.

Previous reviews already have streamlined the state's military operations. Closing overseas bases is probably where the big savings are to be achieved. But state officials should be honest if they find an operation is no longer justified.

Florida's military bases have a $60 billion impact on the state and the military's presence here is the third largest driver in this state's economy, behind agriculture and tourism.

Gaetz's proposed Florida Council on Military Base and Mission Support is modeled after former Gov. Jeb Bush's military defense panel that was able to save most of Florida's military installations and jobs four years ago.

Bush's team took the position that every base was vital to our national defense, an all-for-one approach that made sense in terms of state politics.

But that was a different age, both economically and strategically, in terms of the national defense. If the day comes when realignments or closures are forced by the federal government, every base - every program - should be looked at both in terms of security and economic practicality. As an ever larger share of the federal budget goes toward healing the overall economy, there are no dollars to waste.

Clearly, every individual community will fight for the military it hosts, but what Florida needs is to speak with one voice. Gaetz is correct to conclude we don't need any intrastate rivalries. The state will be setting a deliberate policy by declaring Florida's military and missions as critical to the security of the United States.

The bill is not calling for a reactionary defense of bases but is an effort to put the state on the record. Florida can make a powerful case that its military bases are necessary, efficient and highly appreciated.

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