The 2017 legislative session is in full swing. The activity at the capitol is robust, with hearings and meetings happening continuously. I anticipate a very interesting year for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of our past objectives have been addressed and we are now in the continuous improvement phase. The following are a series of initiatives that the Department is pursuing and feel have sufficient support of key leadership.
A number of these initiatives center on maintaining existing and developing new infrastructure as there continues to be strong interest in Veterans Homes and Cemeteries. The current initiatives include appropriations to fund the operation of a new State Veterans Cemetery in the Duluth area. We currently have two State-owned Veterans Cemeteries: one in Little Falls and the other in Preston.
State Veterans Cemeteries and ongoing construction of a replacement building on the Minneapolis Veterans Home campus currently hold the spotlight of construction activity for the agency.
We also know that many communities statewide are interested in having a state Veterans Home; Bemidji and Montevideo being the two communities with the longest sustained efforts. A major concern is always acquiring the federal funding support required. There will be ‘more to follow’ on this topic.
The agency has a state request for $2 million over the next two years for agency-wide repair and betterment (R&B) to maintain our current Homes and Cemeteries. In addition to this, we are also seeking funds for asset preservation and a major repair of the closed Veterans Home Bridge over Minnehaha Creek. The bridge is one of the two access roads onto the Minneapolis Veterans Home campus. This is a safety issue as it is not uncommon for the other entry road to be blocked during events in the area. During a recent town hall meeting at the Home, this was the number one concern of the Home’s Family Council.
There will also be requests for some of the more traditional activities within the agency, such as expanding the G.I. bill in the areas of apprenticeship and on-the-job training, and changes to gain parity with the federal vs. state reimbursement process. The legislature is also looking at expanding free hunting, trapping and fishing licenses for 50 percent or greater service-connected disabled Veterans.
The above are just some of the current activities and conversations. The general feeling remains that our Veterans have earned and deserve these special considerations, and it is another way of thanking them for their service to our country and the State of Minnesota.
There are many needs and dynamics occurring throughout the state and nation, as was clearly demonstrated with the recent elections and the activities which have followed. But I’m proud to say that a steady marker in this political environment has been the respect for Veterans and for their service.
We will keep you informed on what lies ahead, and ‘thank you for your service and support!’
