Hundreds of Minnesota Veterans, their families and supporters came together for the annual “Veterans Day on the Hill” event on Wednesday, April 9. After networking and lunch at the Cedar Street National Guard Armory, the group marched en masse to the State Capitol to make their voices heard to our State Legislators.

I was proud to address this passionate group as we gathered in the Capitol Rotunda. The crowd was advocating for the benefits that our Veterans have earned and I, along with fellow speaker Governor Tim Walz and the many Veterans Service Organizations present, expressed belief that the Legislature should not balance the State’s budget on the backs of our Veterans.

Minnesota has demonstrated its support of Veterans during the last three years with the successful passing of a Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus Bill. This bill consolidated Veterans legislation into one overarching bill and ensured important support for both funding and policy initiatives.

This year’s Legislative session is tasked with creating a constrained budget. We understand that challenge and because the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) has received significant investment in new facilities in the past, this year we are focused on maintaining operations and programs.

As of April 9, the Minnesota House budget bill will not allow us to maintain our services at current levels and will virtually gut our efforts to end Veteran homelessness. The budget operating adjustments we are seeking will allow us to increase staff up to full census at our three newest Veterans Homes and while keeping up with operational and staffing costs in our legacy Veterans Homes. The current House budget bill will significantly hinder that goal. If we can’t afford to hire staff, we will continue to have Veterans pass away while they sit on our waiting list for admission to a Veterans Home.

MDVA is also requesting bonding support to fund the renovation of Building 16 on the Minneapolis Veterans Home Campus that houses the Minneapolis location of the Domiciliary Program as well as a backlog of asset preservation projects of our facilities across the state.

On the policy side, we are supporting the Veterans Service Organization Commanders’ Task Force requests:

• To strengthen protections for Minnesota Veterans around claim predators. This is about protecting Veterans and ensuring that they keep every dime they have earned with their service. This is not about limiting their “choice;” this is about ensuring that they are making an informed choice.
• To provide greatly reduced hunting and fishing license fees for Veterans with a disability rating of 50% or more.

We are asking our State Legislature to do what is right for Veterans and support these initiatives and our budget at the Governor’s recommended level and to include them in a Veterans Omnibus Bill.

It’s time to “take action!” Contact your State Legislator today and make your voices heard.

Remember that MDVA is here to serve Veterans and their families from all eras. If you need information or support on any Veteran issue, please visit our website, contact your County Veterans Service Officer, or contact LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet.

Thank YOU for your service!