Posted: 1/10/07
Veterans' bill gets bipartisan support
 Rep. Larry Haws, DFL-St. Cloud, spoke emotionally and strongly in support of increasing benefits for state veterans. Seeing how the returning Vietnam vets were treated, he said if he ever got in a position of power, he would do something about it. |
By T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Rep. Larry Haws remembers coaching the baby boomers as children and watching them later "snapped up" into the Vietnam War.
"And when they came back they weren't treated to nicely," said Haws, voice thickening.
"And I said if I ever get a position of power, I will do something about that," he said. Haws isn't alone.
On Monday (Jan. 8) Gov. Tim Pawlenty and lawmakers unrolled a $75 million military and veterans support package — making sure their actions match their words of support, Pawlenty explained.
Included in the bill, which has bipartisan support, is a 100 percent state income tax exemption for military pay and pensions for active military personnel, retirees, and survivors.
It's estimated more than 40,000 Minnesotans could benefit. Not only does Minnesota want to reward veterans, explained Pawlenty, but keep them in the state.
"These are very sought-after citizens," he said.
Additionally, lawmakers propose to supplement federal higher education tuition benefits for eligible veterans and dependents at $1,000 a semester for up to five years.
Pawlenty argues the tuition proposal, which will be good for any higher education institution, helps fill a funding gap — the last dollar in.
State dollars would be paid after veterans and dependents have used their Pell Grants and state and federal financial aids.
The tax exemption and tuition proposals will cost more than $46 million.
"We need to continue on," said Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-Tracy, Senate Agriculture and Veterans Budget and Policy Committee, of improving veteran benefits.
Vickerman urged the veterans, whose uniforms and service caps brightened the Governor's Reception Room, to lobby for passage of the support package.
He noted some 3,000 Minnesota National Guard troops will be returning from oversea service in upcoming months.
Other features of the support package include some $4 million for better outreach to veterans — the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates less than half of veterans apply for the benefits they're eligible for.
This initiative could see more outreach efforts among homeless and Native American veterans.
Beyond more funding for veterans organizations, armory maintenance, soldier and family assistance, veteran home repairs, the proposal includes funding for the Minnesota Military Museum.
In also includes dollars for preservation of historic Minnesota battle flags currently exhibited at the Capitol.
When asked whether the controversial Iraq War might affect passage of the veterans proposal, Pawlenty indicated he didn't think so.
"Regardless how people feel about the war, everybody supports members of the military and the veterans," he said.
"I'd be very surprised if anyone in the Legislature in either party voted against this package because of their views about the war," said Pawlenty.
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