Burgess and Collins boast military-related legislative achievements

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – Sens. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills and Jay Collins, R-Tampa, both highlighted efforts they made in the legislature to help fellow veterans.

Both Burgess and Collins have served in the United States military, Collins as a Green Beret and Burgess as a JAG.

Collins spoke of his efforts to ensure veterans receive access to prosthetic limbs and medical care. Collins himself has a prosthetic following his military service.

“We’re going to build a facility right here in Hillsborough County that intertwines the Florida VA in the community to make sure they have the ability to get prosthetics,” Collins said. “It’s going to be groundbreaking.”

Burgess expressed his continued support for the Bay Area Legal Services helpline, which helps veterans experiencing legal issues, and called it a “model for the state”

“There’s a lot of veterans, a lot of military families that have a lot of legal issues that aren’t covered by a JAG like I used to be,” Burgess said. “And so, to have an organization that is dedicated to help, free of charge, servicemembers going through legal issues that they need to help address because of the complications that happen in the military lifestyle. It’s great.”

Speaking about their collaborative efforts, Collins expressed his gratitude for the working relationship the two men have established.

“We are so blessed to have leadership like that and have the opportunity to serve our communities like that,” Collins said. “It’s amazing to have teammates working to our left and right that really care about the community.”