February means that the Minnesota Legislative session is underway! At the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, this is an opportunity to advocate for funding and support that will allow us to best serve our state’s 308,000 Veterans.

MDVA leadership collaborate with the Commanders’ Task Force to identify issues of importance to the Veteran community. We also provide support to the CTF “Veterans Day on the Hill,” this year scheduled for Monday, April 20.

We are seeking investment in MDVA facilities to ensure the safety and security of our Residents and staff in our five Minnesota Veterans Homes as well as asset preservation funds to maintain 58 MDVA buildings. The Walz Administration “Building One Minnesota Local Jobs and Projects Plan” includes a focus on safe and affordable housing and incorporates MDVA’s requests.

Here are the details of our bonding requests:

• Campus Security Upgrades
  The Governor recommends $4.2 million to improve physical and electronic security at the Minnesota Veterans homes in Hastings, Fergus Falls, Silver Bay and Luverne. The project would modernize security at these facilities and help to ensure the safety of the Veterans in our care. 
• Asset Preservation
  The Governor recommends $10.7 million for department-wide asset preservation to maintain Minnesota Veterans Homes across the state. This funding will be used to preserve and repair over 1 million square feet spread over 58 buildings, some of which are more than 100 years old, that house approximately 900 Residents. MDVA has an estimated total of $57.8 million in deferred maintenance needs.

I look forward to continuing to provide updates on all the important work underway at MDVA. 

Please know that MDVA is here for all Veterans and their families. Contact us via our website at MinnesotaVeteran.org, call 1-888-LinkVet, email or chat online, or visit with your County Veterans Service Office. 

And as always, thank you for your service!