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RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT AN ANNUAL SALES TAX HOLIDAY FOR VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND THEIR FAMILIES

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WHEREAS, Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.6 million veterans, comprising 12 percent of the state�s 18-and-over population; and
WHEREAS, of those veterans, more than 731,000 are over the age of 65; and
WHEREAS, according to statistics from the United States Census Bureau, the veteran population in Miami-Dade County was 60,168 in the years between 2009 and 2013; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, the inflation-adjusted median household income for veterans in Florida was $58,190, compared with $61,884 nationwide; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate for the State of Florida and Miami-Dade County to express their appreciation to those individuals who valiantly served in the United States Armed Forces defending this nation and its interests and protecting the liberty which we all enjoy; and
WHEREAS, one way in which that appreciation may be demonstrated, and which will also provide a well-deserved benefit and privilege to veterans, is through the adoption of a sales tax holiday for veterans; and
WHEREAS, sales tax holidays have been utilized in the past to great effectiveness; and

WHEREAS, for instance, on January 20, 2005 and February 20, 2007, respectively, this Board adopted Resolution Nos. R-99-05 and R-191-07, which urged the Florida Legislature to expand sales tax holidays for the purchase of personal hurricane supplies to encourage Florida residents to prepare for hurricane season; and
WHEREAS, those efforts proved highly successful and Floridians saved approximately $10 million and $41 million in 2005 and 2006, respectively; and
WHEREAS, this Board believes a similar sales tax holiday should be created for the benefit of veterans and their families, who all too often do not receive the recognition, gratitude and assistance they deserve; and
WHEREAS, during the 2016 session of the Florida Legislature, companion Senate and House Bills�SB 538 by Senator Christopher Smith (D � Fort Lauderdale) and HB 279 by Representative Kionne McGhee (D � Cutler Bay)�were filed that would have created an annual sales tax holiday for veterans for the purchase of certain retail items during November 1 through December 31; and
WHEREAS, both SB 538 and HB 279 died in committee; and
WHEREAS, this Board would like to urge the Florida Legislature to adopt a similar sales tax holiday for veterans and their families,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to adopt an annual sales tax holiday for veterans of the United States Armed Forces and their families.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2017 State Legislative Package when it is presented to the Board.