DAV-Wis. 3rd District Conference Update

We had a great 3rd District Conference today at Oshkosh!

Assembly Veterans Committee Chair Rep. Dick Spanbauer (R-Oshkosh) spoke about his role and was VERY supportive.

Wis. Board of Veterans Affairs Chair Dan Naylor spoke about WDVA in a very earnest way, and said he will wait for the outcome of the pending things before making further decisions.

SJA Al Labelle brought everyone up to speed on what has been going on, and gave a lot of well deserved praise to State Commander John Hoeft for all his cooperative efforts.

Tony Blando, the new State Director for Sen. Ron Johnson's (R-Oshkosh) office was present and introduced himself and spoke about how supportive the Senator is of veterans' issues even though he is not a veteran.  Tony won the 50/50 raffle -- $138 - and donated it to the Transportation Program.

--Dick Marbes

Testimony and Handouts from AB 96 Assembly Legislative Hearing on Apr. 28, 2011

AB 96 Hearing Handouts – Part 1 of 2

Hearing Handouts -- Part 2 of 2

AB 96 Hearing Handouts 2 -

DAV Testimony at Today’s Legislative Hearing on AB 96

Testimony of the Disabled American Veterans Department of Wisconsin

Presented to the Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs

By Anthony Hardie, DAV State Special Assistant

April 28, 2011

Chairman Spanbauer, Ranking Member Milroy, and members of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs:

On behalf of Disabled American Veterans state commander John Hoeft, DAV’s governing Executive Committee, and DAV’s entire state leadership team, thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of AB 96 with amendments requested by DAV to strengthen the bill. And a special thank you to Representative Kevin Petersen, his staff, and all those involved in drafting and co-authoring this important legislation whose time has truly come.

For the record, DAV is the largest organization of service-disabled veterans in the world. Made up of well over one million men and women disabled in our nation’s defense, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for all of our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. Fully non-partisan, DAV extends its mission of hope into communities where these veterans and their families live through a network of direct assistance-providing national service offices, an extensive DAV van program to get veterans to their often distant VA medical appointments, state-level departments, and 2,400 local chapters, including 55 here in Wisconsin.

For those who don’t already know me, I’m Anthony Hardie, a service-disabled veteran of the Gulf War and Somalia and a DAV life member since 1997. I’m also an unpaid volunteer with DAV and honored to serve in national and state roles in support of DAV’s mission of helping other disabled veterans. And, most recently, I’m formerly the number three top official at WDVA from 2003 to 2009 under two Secretaries, a number of Acting Secretaries, and Boards of Veterans Affairs dominated by political appointees of both parties.

I’m pleased to be accompanied today by service-disabled Vietnam War veteran Al Labelle of Stevens Point, and all other DAV leaders and members present.

Like most other large organizations, DAV-Wisconsin’s positions are not determined at the whim of one or even just a couple individuals. Instead, DAV’s positions are determined by a leadership team of elected and appointed DAV officers and staff and then reviewed and accepted, rejected or modified by DAV’s governing executive committee elected by the body of DAV. My testimony before you today is no exception, with the core set of these issues having been considered not just once, but twice by DAV’s governing Executive Committee, the first time long before AB 96 was ever even drafted or circulated for co-sponsorship.

Head of Agency/Role of Board. First, DAV is in support of the most important aspect of AB 96 – restructuring the leadership of the agency so that the WDVA Secretary is appointed by the Governor to serve as the head of the agency, with the role of the Board of Veterans Affairs modified to serve in a purely advisory role.

It has become clear over the last many years that insulating WDVA and other agencies from politics, the principle goal of the Progressive movement with regards to citizen boards as agency heads, has been a failure. In fact, as stated in DAV’s press release today, at least in the case of WDVA, these Boards have not only kept partisan politics from affecting the agency, but have simply prolonged the politics of the last Governor, often for several years. In the case of the most recent Board power transition, Governor Doyle’s political appointees to the Board of Veterans Affairs were not in the majority until several years into his term, and only really were able to exercise that majority power in his second term.

Dick Marbes is a past DAV National Commander and continuing key leader in DAV’s national and state organizations, who served on the WDVA Board for ten years, from 1991 to 2001, says he served with many other Board members who he respects, including Teddy Duckworth from the American Legion. However, as a former Board member himself, he says it’s clear to him that accountability over a Secretary and an agency by a very part-time Board of Veterans Affairs is simply not possible and can easily lead to the disjointed results we all have seen in recent years.

As DAV’s national commander, Marbes met on behalf of DAV with then President Clinton and leaders in the Clinton Administration. “To me, elevating the role of the WDVA Secretary to the cabinet level, just like at the national level, is good for the state veterans’ agency and good for veterans,” he says. And he says he respects the views of those who believe that a Board overseeing WDVA prevents politics from entering into WDVA’s operations. However, Marbes says that noble goal has simply not ever been the reality.

From my own insider experience at WDVA, I fully concur with Mr. Marbes. My close firsthand experience with Boards of Veterans Affairs appointed by both Republican and Democratic governors has shown me that contrary to popular belief, a Board does not insulate WDVA from politics, and in fact only prolongs the politics of each former governor for several years into the first or even second term of each successive new governor.

Despite mistaken public perceptions, this created a relationship between the Governor’s office and WDVA that was not only frequently problematic, but often hostile. It should go without saying that an executive branch agency that does not have the support of the governor will have a very difficult time doing the people’s business it is charged with doing.

Now, some have said that AB 96 is about a power grab by Governor Walker. That’s just simply not true. DAV and several other veterans service organizations have been working on these issues since well before last November’s election, and DAV’s support for this legislation has absolutely nothing to do with Governor Walker.

What this bill will do is to ensure a much greater role for the veterans’ service organizations, county veterans service officers, the people’s elected representatives in the Senate, and members of the public, in the selection, nomination, and confirmation of future WDVA Secretaries.

And, while this bill does not prevent a popular WDVA Secretary from being reappointed by a new Governor, it will explicitly prevent the kinds of adversarial relationships like the one that existed between Governor Doyle’s administration and the former WDVA Secretary and was prolonged for years under the current, politically charged Board system that dragged those politics out for years. And of course, it was the programs and services and the veterans they serve who suffered.

It also took two-and-a-half years for the current Board to get to know the most recent WDVA Secretary well enough to know that he wasn’t up to the job and to force him out. That kind of decision could have been made in an instant by a Governor and resolved with a phone call calling for resignation, as happens from time to time in other agencies under every Governor, including the last one on at least a few memorable occasions.

It is the position of DAV that the WDVA Secretary should be a member of the Governor’s cabinet, just like at the federal level. That level of interaction with other agency heads is absolutely critical because issues affecting our veterans are much more than just the handful of programs administered by WDVA. The unemployment rate in the current economy that affects veterans at even greater rates than their civilian counterparts in some areas is but one example and that will take an interagency team effort.

From personal experience, I can assure you that these kinds of interagency efforts are incredibly difficult when WDVA is perceived in some parts of state government as almost its own branch of government, responsible and responsive to no one, not even the veterans and their representative organizations. DAV and other veterans service organizations that have been actually advocating for veterans on actual, real live issues affecting veterans can provide many examples of the insurmountable hurdles under the current Board system.

DAV recommends several amendments, as shown in the handout provided to you that are necessary to accomplish this most important core function of the bill that would shift power away from the Board and to the WDVA Secretary.

As currently drafted and likely an unintended drafting consequence related to this core provision of the bill, AB 96 would create a confusing and possibly unintended separation of powers, with the Board retaining its current-law role as head of the agency with the requirements to supervise and direct the agency, but with the Secretary appointed by, supervised by, and directed by the Governor. In other words, the Board has significant and substantial duties overseeing, regulating, and advising the department but no direct authority to take action. Additionally, many of Wisconsin’s most important veterans’ programs and services, including employment, education, and property tax relief, fall outside of WDVA’s administrative purview. Therefore, DAV makes the following recommendations to amend AB 96.

a. RECOMMENDATION: Amend AB 96 to make the Secretary the head of the agency. Amend AB 96 to make the role of the Board purely advisory, but to advise both the WDVA Secretary and the Governor on all matters related to veterans.

b. RECOMMENDATION: Amend AB 96 to ensure the WDVA Secretary personally reviews the proposed biennial budget with the Board for its approval.

c. RECOMMENDATION: Amend AB 96 to elevate the role of the Board to advise the WDVA Secretary and the Governor.

WDVA Secretary Must Be a Veteran. Additionally, DAV is in support of requiring, at a minimum, that the WDVA Secretary be required by law to be a veteran as defined in Wisconsin statutes Chapter 45 (“Veterans Affairs”). We have all heard concerns from all quarters that the veterans secretary be an advocate for veterans. While this might be difficult to legislate, the minimal requirement that the WDVA Secretary, at a minimum, shall be a veteran is a key part of DAV’s support for the concepts laid out in AB 96.

Currently, this requirement is contained in the Board’s governing rules, but an amendment to AB 96 is required to make this requirement pertinent to the Governor’s appointment of the WDVA Secretary under AB 96.

Consulting Veterans Organizations. AB 96 requires personal consultation by the Governor with the presiding officers of at least 6 Wisconsin veterans’ organizations prior to recommending a WDVA Secretary nominee to the Senate for consideration and confirmation. DAV is in support of this general concept. However, we note three issues in the current draft of AB 96 that should be corrected.

First, “Presiding officers” is not defined. Second, AB 96 as currently drafted does not require the head or presiding officer to be the Wisconsin-based head or presiding officer of the organization. Third, the “6 Wisconsin veterans organizations” are not currently defined in AB 96.

DAV’s position is that whatever the number of consulted veterans organizations, these organization should not just be any veterans organizations without qualification or definition, a provision that could easily be abused by an untoward governor. Instead, we recommend that this provision of AB 96 be amended to ensure they are qualified veterans service organizations accredited by the federal VA and that they are represent the largest number of veterans. DAV recommends something along the lines of the following language: “The governor shall personally consult with the Wisconsin head or presiding officer of each of Wisconsin’s six largest veterans’ service organizations, as defined by their total number of Wisconsin members, which are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.”

This modification would ensure largest veterans service organizations, by number of Wisconsin members, means any qualifying Wisconsin-based veterans service organization has the potential of growing its membership base large enough to be part of that number, whatever that number might be.

Support for AB 96 Contingent Upon These Three Amendments. It is important to note that DAV’s support for AB 96 is contingent upon making these three sets of necessary amendments: requiring the WDVA Secretary to be a veteran; ensuring the WDVA Secretary is the agency head with directing and supervisory roles; and, requiring the veterans organizations consulted by the Governor in AB 96’s appointment process to be Wisconsin’s largest veterans service organizations, as defined by their total number of Wisconsin members, which are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Additional Amendments for Consideration. DAV has also done an extensive analysis of AB 96 as currently drafted, and has listed a substantial number of potential recommendations for consideration by the Committee. DAV’s positions on these are listed on the front of the handout before you.

Among these is a recommendation to change the definition of “veteran” in AB 96 to three additional categories of living veterans as already listed in Chapter 45 of the state statutes, including a category of service-disabled veteran discharged due to a service-incurred or –aggravated injury or illness prior to the end of their otherwise qualifying period of active duty.

DAV supports the provision of the bill to require new Board members to be a “veteran” in accordance with Chapter 45 of the state statutes.

Finally, it is DAV’s position that there should be strong consideration for service-disabled veterans in appointments to the Board, the Secretary’s position, and any WDVA position. Arguably, it is combat wounded and other service-disabled veterans who have born the heaviest weight of military service and the lives of these men and women is often changed forever in just an instant. We owe it to our disabled veterans to ensure that if they are able, that we as a nation and a state provide all possible assistance to help them secure gainful employment commensurate with their knowledge, skills and abilities and work to accommodate their disabilities however possible.

Again, on behalf of DAV State Commander John Hoeft, DAV’s executive committee and entire leadership team, I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.

DAV Supports AB 96 Changes to WDVA Board, Secretary with Amendments

Press Release

For Immediate Release - April 28, 2011 - Contact: John Hoeft or Ken Kuehnl

(Green Bay, Wis.) - “Assembly Bill 96, which would change the appointment process for the WDVA Secretary and the role of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs, is an important step in restoring accountability to the agency,” said Disabled American Veterans State Commander John Hoeft, a service-disabled Vietnam War veteran from Omro, Wis. “DAV’s leadership team, including the Executive Committee, is united in support for AB 96 if several important amendments are accepted. If amended as requested, AB 96 will be good for the state veterans agency, veterans, and the taxpaying public.”

DAV is the largest organization of service-disabled veterans in the world. Made up of well over one million men and women disabled in our nation’s defense, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for all of our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. Fully non-partisan, DAV extends its mission of hope into communities where these veterans and their families live through a network of direct assistance-providing national service offices, an extensive DAV van program to get veterans to their often distant VA medical appointments, state-level departments, and 2,400 local chapters, including 55 here in Wisconsin.

Measures like AB 96 to restore accountability to WDVA have been a top goal of DAV and other state veterans service organizations for much of the last year, long before the election of the Governor. DAV’s volunteer leaders have run into apparently insurmountable hurdles with WDVA under its current Board and most recent leadership on even “no-brainer” issues like increasing WDVA’s hiring of disabled, wartime, and other veterans, maintaining current volunteer wheelchair repair services at the King Veterans Home, and many other issues important to DAV. “We are pleased that Representative Kevin Petersen and other state legislators have heard us and have introduced a bill to help restore accountability to WDVA,” said Hoeft.

Dick Marbes, a past DAV National Commander and continuing key leader in DAV’s national and state organizations who served on the WDVA Board for ten years, from 1991 to 2001, shared thoughts from his extensive experience. “I served with many other Board members who I respect, including Teddy Duckworth from the American Legion. However, as a former Board member myself, it is clear to me that accountability over a Secretary and an agency by a very part-time Board of Veterans Affairs is simply not possible and can easily lead to the disjointed results we all have seen in recent years,” said Marbes, who lives in Green Bay, Wis. and is a service-disabled veteran.

As DAV’s national commander, Marbes met on behalf of DAV with then President Clinton and leaders in the Clinton Administration. “To me, elevating the role of the WDVA Secretary to the cabinet level, just like at the national level, is good for the state veterans agency and good for veterans,” said Marbes.

“I respect the views of those who believe that a Board overseeing WDVA prevents politics from entering into WDVA’s operations. However, that noble goal has simply not ever been the reality,” said Marbes. “I also believe six years is too long for Board members’ appointments, and I favor a change in term length to something shorter than six years,” said Marbes.

Ken Kuehnl, a past DAV state commander and current state adjutant, is a service-disabled Vietnam War veteran from Union Grove, Wis. “Like DAV’s state Executive Committee, I am in full support of legislative efforts to elevate the WDVA Secretary to be a member of the Governor’s cabinet, make the appointment a publicly accountable appointment of the Governor confirmed in an open and public process by the Senate, and make the Board’s role purely advisory,” said Kuehnl. “I believe this will be an important next step in restoring accountability to WDVA,” said Kuehnl.

Al Labelle, DAV’s State Judge Advocate and a service-disabled Vietnam War veteran, has attended many WDVA Board meetings on behalf of DAV. “Candidly, WDVA has been the poster child for a dysfunctional government agency. It has been incompetent and non-responsive,” said Labelle. “We really need this legislation to help fix what’s wrong at the leadership level at WDVA,” said Labelle. "In the future with this legislation, when major problems occur, responsibility will reside solely with the WDVA Secretary and the Governor.”

Anthony Hardie, formerly the number three top official at WDVA from 2003 to 2009 under two Secretaries and several Acting Secretaries, is currently a volunteer with DAV including as National Deputy Chief of Staff and State Special Assistant. Hardie is himself an appointed member of several federal advisory committees, and represents DAV on the statutory, advisory Wisconsin Council on Veterans Programs. “I have great respect for those who have served on the Board of Veterans Affairs, including the men and women I have worked with closely in that role since I first began regularly attending Board meetings in 1999,” said Hardie, a service-disabled Gulf War and Somalia veteran of Madison, Wis.

“My close firsthand experience with Boards of Veterans Affairs appointed by both Republican and Democratic governors has shown me that contrary to popular belief, a Board does not insulate WDVA from politics, and in fact only prolongs the politics of each former governor for several years into the first or even second term of each successive new governor. This situation not only creates unnecessary and highly problematic tensions between WDVA and news governor, but most importantly severely hampers the ability of WDVA to accomplish its mission of keeping up with the times in providing needed assistance to Wisconsin’s veterans,” said Hardie.

In a March 17, 2011 press release generally supporting most of the Governor’s proposed budget related to veterans, Hoeft had this message: “I recognize that the budget bill is limited only to fiscal items, but we in the veterans community look forward to prompt action to ensure leadership change to restore accountability, transparency, and effective management to WDVA and return the state’s veterans agency to the veterans for whom it was created.” Hoeft then went on to say that the fiscal-only budget proposals, “do not go far enough in restoring veterans trust, faith, and confidence in the broken leadership at the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.” “…Because if we don’t fix the current mess at WDVA, all the money in the world won’t make a bit of difference,” concluded Hoeft. “AB 96 will move us closer to those goals,” he said.

Amendments to AB 96 sought by DAV include: requiring the WDVA Secretary to be a veteran; ensuring the WDVA Secretary is the agency head with directing and supervisory roles; and, requiring the veterans organizations consulted by the Governor in AB 96’s appointment process to be Wisconsin’s largest veterans service organizations, as defined by their total number of Wisconsin members, which are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

-END-

More Information:

• Downloadable DAV-Wis. Press Release (PDF)
• DAV-Wis. positions on the Board of Veterans Affairs and WDVA

WDVA CVSO Bulletin No. 957 re: Military Funeral Honors (MFH) Projected Stipend Outage

Please see below a link to Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs CVSO Bulletin No. 957 re: Military Funeral Honors (MFH) Projected Stipend Outage. 

A copy of the bulletin can be found at www.WisVets.com/Bulletins/Bulletin_CVSO_957.pdf

CVSO Bulletins can be found at www.WisVets.com/PA_cvsobulletins.asp. 

Military and Industry Leaders Embrace the TAP Virtual Learning Seminars!

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Good Morning,

We welcome and encourage your continued support in spreading the word about these very useful seminars to the Service members and families that will benefit from them the most. Please continue to post on your program's web channels and email blast through your networks! They are making a positive difference through your individual contribution to our service members and their families.

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Virtual Learning Seminars,
administered by the OSD WWCTP, continue to be a growing success story that is now being enthusiastically embraced by senior military leadership and prominent figures in business and academia.

In addition to providing Service members and their families with an
interactive educational forum to delve into employment and career related
topics, such as "Building Better Resumes" and "Financial Planning for a
Career Change," the online seminars now feature "surprise celebrity guest"
appearances by senior military and business leaders.

Leaders such as Army Reserve Command Sergeant Major Michael D. Schultz, Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Ronney A. Wright, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense John R. Campbell have made guest appearances to motivate the attendees, stress the importance of proper transition planning, and also to participate in the classes along with the Service members and families.

Next week, two TAP Virtual Learning Seminars will be hosted and feature
guest appearances by a senior executive of a Fortune 100 company and a
highly respected senior fellow at one of the world's top business schools.

Next week's webinars are:

.         The Art of Career Networking - April 26, 9:00pm EST
.         Acing the Interview - April 28, 8:00pm EST

June's virtual seminars schedule will be released to the public next week
and features an important new class - "Decoding Military Skills for Civilian
Employers." Please find attached your advance copy of the May-June webinar promotional/information flyer and an updated Virtual Learning Opportunity Catalogue that provides detailed information on the learning opportunities, including the new class. Class schedules and webinar registration information can also be found on www.turbotap.org.

Please see the link for the Virtual Learning Seminar promotional video
below, if you need it:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQMj8jLE7OA.

Despite limited space in these weekly classes, there have been more than 900 hundred registrations for these weekly classes by Guard and Reserve members, Wounded Warriors, family members, and Service members including those deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and other far flung areas of the globe.

You can also link to their Facebook (www.Facebook.com/DoDTAP) or follow on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/DoDTAP ) to learn more about the continuing efforts to assist our dedicated military community. Let's continue working together to help transitioning Service members develop their career GPS (Goal, Plan, Succeed).

Please feel free to call or e-mail me, if you have any questions or comments
regarding the TAP Virtual Learning Seminars or this outreach effort.

Cheers!

Kristina Miller, PHR
ESGR Reserve Component Liaison, USAR
Office of the Chief, Army Reserve
2400 Army Pentagon, DAAR-EPO
Washington, DC 20310-2400
O:  703.601.0687
C:   571.264.8012
kristina.e.miller@us.army.mil
www.employerpartnership.org
www.esgr.mil

DAV Legislative Bulletin–April 2011

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
807 Maine Ave., SW ■ Washington, D.C. 20024-2410 ■ Phone (202) 554-3501 ■ Fax (202) 554-3581

LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN
April 2011

Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2012 Budget

The Administration’s budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2012 includes some modest funding increases for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits programs. For both mandatory funding (compensation, pension, death and education benefits) and discretionary funding the Administration has recommended about $132 billion dollars. The House Budget Committee has recommended $128 billion for the VA for FY 2012, about $4 billion below the Administration’s request.

The Administration’s FY 2012 budget proposal includes a request for $52.541 billion in advance appropriations for VA health care accounts in FY 2013. The Administration also assumes $3.3 billion in collections. This is an increase of $1.9 billion over the Administration’s FY 2012 request for VA health care funding. The House Budget Committee proposal requests $52.500 billion for advance appropriations, $41 billion less than the Administration. Of concern to DAV is the fact that we believe the Administration’s request should be considered a floor, which can be raised if warranted, while the House proposal treat it as a ceiling, the maximum VA should receive in FY 2013.

Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2011 Budget

The battle over the FY 2011 budget has now ended. On April 14, 2011, Congress passed a long-term appropriations bill to fund the government until the next fiscal year begins on October 1.

While many programs have been cut, VA has been mostly untouched. Total discretionary funding requested by the Administration was $60.321 billion dollars. Under the bill, VA would receive $60.075. Most of the cuts are in information technology, construction programs and general administration.

Pending Legislation

H.R. 803, the Equity for Injured Veterans Act of 2011, was introduced on February 18, 2011, by Representative Bob Filner (D-CA). This bill would extend the period of eligibility for training and rehabilitation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans with service-connected disabilities until the end of the 15-year period after the veteran’s discharge from active duty.

H.R. 810, the Fair Access to Veterans Benefits Act of 2011, was introduced by Representative Filner on February 18, 2011. This bill would extend the 120-day limit for the filing of an appeal to the Court of Veterans Appeals after a final decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals upon a showing of good cause for such time as justice may require. It would also consider as good cause the inability of a person to file within the 120-day period due to a service-connected disability.

H.R. 813, introduced by Representative Filner on February 18, 2011, would amend title 38, United States Code, to reduce the period of time for which a veteran must be totally disabled before the veteran’s survivors are eligible for the benefits provided by the Secretary for survivors of certain veterans rated totally disabled at the time of death.

H.R. 1092, the Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act, was introduced by Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) on March 15, 2011. This bill expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Department of Defense (DOD) and the nation have a committed health benefits obligation to retired military personnel that exceeds the obligation of corporate employers to civilian employees; and (2) DOD has many additional options to constrain the growth of health care spending in ways that do not disadvantage beneficiaries, and should pursue such options rather than seeking large fee increases for beneficiaries.

It would also prohibit an increase in a premium, deductible, copayment, or other charge prescribed by the Secretary of Defense for medical and dental health care coverage for military personnel; and after September 30, 2011, in the dollar amount of a cost-sharing requirement under the DOD pharmacy benefits program. It would also prohibit charges for DOD inpatient care from exceeding $535 per day; and, beginning on October 1, 2011, an increase in premiums under TRICARE for certain members of the Selected Reserve and Retired Reserve.

H.R. 1133, the Helping Our Homeless Veterans Act of 2011, was introduced by Representative Filner on March 16, 2011. This bill would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements with state or local government agencies, tribal organizations, and nonprofit organizations to collaborate in the provision of case management services to expand and improve the provision of supported housing services and related outreach to veterans, including veterans in rural areas or underserved veterans who live in metropolitan areas or on Indian lands. It outlines support services to be provided, including the maintenance of referral networks for homeless veterans. It would also include within case management services personal health and development assistance and housing assistance for veterans.

H.R. 1178, the Disabled Veterans Commissary and Exchange Store Benefits Act, was introduced by Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE). It would permit a veteran with any compensable service-connected disability (and the veteran's dependents) to use commissary and exchange stores on the same basis as a member of the Armed Forces entitled to retired or retainer pay.

S. 423, introduced by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), on March 1, 2011, would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide authority for retroactive effective date for awards of disability compensation in connection with claim applications that are fully developed at submittal.

S. 490, introduced by Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), on March 3, 2011, would amend title 38, United States Code, to increase the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under the CHAMPVA program. It would make such provision inapplicable before January 1, 2014, to a child who is eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored health care plan.

S. 536, introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), on March 9, 2011, would amend title 38, United States Code, to provide that utilization of survivors' and dependents’ educational assistance shall not be subject to the 48-month limitation on the aggregate amount of assistance utilizable under multiple veterans and related educational assistance programs.

S. 658, the Support for Survivors Act, was introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).  This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to identify the most appropriate and effective means for the preservation by the Department of Defense (DOD) of documentary evidence of incidents of sexual assault or harassment in which a member of the Armed Forces is the victim (covered incidents), which shall be a single means to be used by all the military departments.

It requires the means identified to be in electronic form and to include the full protection of the victim's privacy and lifetime access to such evidence. This bill would also direct the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to establish a joint task force to determine whether to establish a documentary evidence form, report, or document in lieu of forms, reports, and documents currently generated by DOD.

Hearings

The national legislative staff has testified at numerous hearings over the last couple of months:

On March 2, 2011, before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee on behalf of The Independent Budget concerning the fiscal year (FY) 2012 budget in the area of veterans’ benefits.

On March 3, 2011, before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity concerning the FY 2012 budget in the area of the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service.

On March 11, 2011, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Health concerning the implementation plan for the caregiver assistance program.

On March 17, 2011, before the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs regarding the FY 2012 budget in the area of veterans’ benefits.

On March 31, 2011, before the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity concerning the FY 2012 budget in the area of the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service.

Conclusion

To ensure the successful enactment of veterans’ legislation, our DAV and Auxiliary members must be active members of DAV’s grassroots – DAV Commander’s Action Network (CAN) — and we all must do our part to let our elected officials know about our support for legislation that helps to build better lives for our nation’s service-disabled veterans, their families and survivors. Thank you for your continued support.

JOSEPH A. VIOLANTE
National Legislative Director

DAV OPPOSES REMOVAL OF 1.3 MILLION VETERANS FROM VA HEALTH CARE

 

(Washington, DC – DAV) -- After 2-meetings with the professional staff of the House Budget Committee, it is the understanding of the DAV National Organization that a review, studying the effects of Public Law 104-262, the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, will soon be considered by the House Budget Committee.

As a way to curb the federal deficit, the Committee is considering the eviction of 1.3 million veterans with non-service-connected disabilities from VA Health Care.

Any finding that recommends a system for veterans based on the merits of a veteran’s claim or disability will be bad for veterans’ health care, bad for government spending and bad for the deficit.

• Veterans using VA Health Care for non-service-connected injuries or illnesses are subject to both first and third party collections. They and their personal medical insurance companies are billed and ultimately pay any expenses that are incurred by VA Health Care for their medical treatment. Eliminating these veterans from VA Health Care will result in zero savings.

• Eliminating veterans using VA Health Care for non-service-connected injuries or illnesses with no personal medical insurance will not result in any savings. Medical treatment for these veterans, if done outside VA Health Care, will be paid by Medicare/Medicaid (or written off as bad debt by private facilities and providers), at a much higher cost to taxpayers. (On the average, VA Health Care has the lowest cost per patient of any health care provider.) The higher medical treatment payments for these veterans, using health care provider other than VA Health Care, given the higher cost, will increase government spending and increase the deficit.

• Additionally, funds for medical treatment will be diverted to create an agency or department whose main purpose will be to evaluate the worthiness of veterans to use VA Health Care. Its sole purpose will be to deny veterans access to VA Health Care, a dubious goal.

VA Health Care is #1 in quality of care, patient satisfaction, lowest in medical errors, and lowest in cost per patient, besting any health care provider in the private sector. These outstanding achievements are predicated on a properly funded “Full Continuum.” Any tinkering with this Continuum will have a devastating impact on VA Health Care, veterans, government spending and the deficit.

To keep cost low, a high patient volume is essential for VA to bargain for pharmaceuticals and medical services. Any volume reduction will reduce this bargaining power.

Also, lower volume will decrease medical staff, which in turn will have an adverse effect on patient care and medical quality. Reductions in VA funding will have the same negative impact to patient care and medical quality, eventually resulting in an increase in government spending and the deficit.

For VA appropriations to be spent effectively and efficiently, a properly funded “Full Continuum” is essential and necessary.

The relationship between veterans and the government is based on a historical covenant. Today, this relationship is a sacred obligation that begins at enlistment and lasts throughout the course of a veteran’s life.

To classify veterans as worthy and unworthy of VA Health Care, who through no fault of their own, were not exposed to combat, denigrates the service and sacrifice of many.

When the public recognizes an individual as a veteran, they invariably say, “Thank you for your service.” Never does anyone ask, “Did you serve in combat or not?” Neither should Congress.

It is the goal of Disabled American Veterans to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure that VA appropriations are spent effectively, efficiently and wisely. Maintaining the “Full Continuum” will do just that.

-----

Disabled American Veterans is a nonpartisan, nonsectarian and nonprofit veteran service organization, founded in 1920 and congressionally chartered in 1932. It is the nation’s largest veteran service organization of wartime service-disabled veterans.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum and Britain’s Military Miniature Company Team Up to Commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War

 

(MADISON) – On Saturday, May 7, 2011, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and W. Britain Military Miniature Company will host an event that includes the unveiling of the first in a series of Civil War figures based on Flags and artifacts held at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.

The two organizations are teaming up to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War by launching a series of miniatures based on the Veterans Museum’s extensive Civil War battle flag collection. Some of the sales proceeds from the production of the limited line of Wisconsin figures will go toward flag preservation at the Museum. The Museum has one of the largest and most extensive Civil War flag collections in the country, containing over 200 battle flags, including examples from the famed Iron Brigade.

Saturday, May 7^th, the American Civil War Day event is full of exciting activities at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum on the Capitol Square.

The event starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Attendees will receive a lesson in sculpting and displaying of miniatures from W. Britain Master Sculptor Ken Osen. Guests may visit the Museum’s galleries and receive an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum’s extensive collection.

This event is free and open to the public. Participants are asked to register atwww.wvmfoundation.com/special-events.php.

For more information on this event, contact Jennifer Carlson at (608) 264-6086 or Jennifer.carlson@dva.state.wi.us. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is a free public educational activity of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and is located at 30 W. Mifflin St., across the street from the State Capitol in Madison. For more information go to www.wisvetsmuseum.com.

New Exhibit Opening at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Point of View: The Veteran Print Project

(MADISON) – The Wisconsin Veterans Museum will open Point of View: The Veteran Print Project exhibit on May 6, 2011. The exhibit will remain on display until July 31, 2011.

Point of View connects a new generation of Wisconsin veterans with their community by inviting them to share their stories with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and a group of local artists.  This new exhibit, based on the oral histories of Wisconsin’s veterans of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Desert Storm, will bring artist and veteran together to share an artistic interpretation of the last two decades of veteran experience.  Point of View is a collaborative venture between the Wisconsin Veterans Museum oral history program, the talented artists of the Madison Print Cooperative, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Vets for Vets student organization.  The exhibit includes an autobiographical print of a veteran artist, as well as a print interpretation of the historian who interviewed the veteran participants.  From Desert Storm to Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan to Iraq, the exhibit is an invitation to the community to experience the stories of eight Wisconsin veterans and the artistic interpretation of eight local artists.  

Meet the artists of this exhibit on Gallery Night, Friday, May 6, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum.

Questions about the exhibit may be directed to Jeff Kollath, Curator of Programs & Exhibitions at (608) 261-0541.

Operated by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is committed to honoring Wisconsin’s military veterans and their role in shaping our nation’s history through unique collections, award-winning exhibits, and educational programs. The department and the Museum are located at 30 W. Mifflin St. in Madison, across the street from the State Capitol. For more information go to www.wisvetsmuseum.com.

Rep. Baldwin: A Tribute to Dr. James C. Allen

MEDIA RELEASE

Dr. James C. Allen of Madison, WI graduated from Marquette University Medical School in 1959. He spent his career at the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, Madison, WI.

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) -- A Tribute to Dr. James C. Allen, July 25, 1928 – April 10, 2011

They say looks can be deceiving and, when it came to Dr. Allen, they certainly were. He was a giant of a man!

We knew him as a loving husband and father, a caring and most capable physician, a proud veteran and a tireless volunteer. He was all that and more. To me, he was a friend, an ally, a fierce advocate for veterans, an outstanding citizen, and a patriot. He saw the goodness in people and sought the best for his country. His soft voice and gentle manner belied the power and strength of his convictions.

During my first term in Congress, Dr. Allen alerted me to a problem he saw in the VA compensation structure affecting some of our blinded veterans. As a former service member and an ophthalmologist, Dr. Allen knew the tremendous sacrifices our veterans made and believed that they should not be forced to struggle with related vision problems without any additional assistance and care.

For seven long years, Dr. Allen worked with me to craft long overdue legislation that would correct this inadequacy. In all that time, he never lost his focus or his faith that we would prevail.

In 2007, Congress unanimously passed and President Bush signed into law H.R. 797, the Dr. James Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act, giving veterans blinded in one eye while in service greater compensation if they begin to lose sight in the other eye later in life.

As a physician and an advocate, Dr. Allen’s contributions to improve the lives of veterans are immeasurable. As a friend, his generosity and kindness are unforgettable.

Dr. Allen was peaceful, yet tenacious; soft-spoken, yet not afraid to speak up; accomplished, yet so very humble. He was a thoughtful, committed citizen who made our world better and our lives richer; and I shall miss him very much. ###

UW-Madison Pledges Continued Support for Wisconsin G.I. Bill

Even with the verbal support below, so there is no ambiguity in the future the Governor's office says they still support making it perfectly clear in the law that UW has to abide by the WI GI Bill.

http://www.news.wisc.edu/19286 

UW-Madison to continue support of veterans

April 19, 2011      

The University of Wisconsin-Madison will continue to support veterans under the Wisconsin GI Bill, Chancellor Biddy Martin said today in response to a legislator's criticism.

"As a land-grant university, we have a long history of backing military veterans who are seeking a degree, of supporting their academic careers and in helping them achieve their educational goals," said Martin.

"Our commitment will not change when UW-Madison is given public authority status," Martin added. "It is unthinkable that we would not continue to support veterans as they seek a university education."

UW-Madison was named to a list of military friendly schools compiled by GI Jobs magazine. The university, which is home to all three ROTC branches, enrolls more than 600 students with military experience and is making continued outreach effort to veterans.

New York Times Best-Selling Author Jeff Shaara to speak at Wisconsin Veterans Museum Gala

WDVA Press Release

(MADISON) ― New York Times Best-Selling Author Jeff Shaara will serve as keynote at the 2011 Wisconsin Veterans Museum Gala. The event is scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The son of Michael Shaara, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Civil War novel Killer Angels, Jeff has established himself as America’s most popular military history novelist.  His works include Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure, both of which remained on the New York Times best-seller’s list for 13 consecutive weeks.  In 2003, the critically acclaimed Gods and Generals became a major motion picture.

Gala attendees may join Shaara for an exclusive VIP reception and book signing at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum from 5:00 –6:30 p.m. WKOW-TV’s Greg Jeschke will anchor 27News at 5:00 p.m.and 6:00p.m. live from the museum.  Following the reception, Shaara will discuss his current projects during a dinner at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club. 

All proceeds from the event will support the development of new exhibits and programs at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum. Tickets are $175 for the VIP reception and dinner, or $125 for dinner only, and may be purchased by calling Jennifer Carlson at (608) 264-6086 or visiting www.wvmfoundation.com.

The event is sponsored by Edgewood College and the University of Wisconsin  Medical Foundation.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Jennifer Carlson at (608) 264-6086.  The Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization that supports the museum’s exhibits and educational outreach.  For more information go to www.wvmfoundation.com.  The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is a free public educational activity of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and is located at 30 W. Mifflin  St., across the street from the State Capitol. Visit our website at www.wisvetsmuseum.com.

News from the Assembly Veterans Committee Chair

 

Preparing for the Budget

Let me begin this week’s E-Update by saying I hope you         and your families made it through last weekend’s storm OK. To be honest,         this storm was the first time I was worried about the possibility of         serious damage in my neighborhood in the Town of Algoma.

        In the meantime, the Legislature is continuing its work on the state         biennial budget bill,         Assembly Bill 40/Senate         Bill 27. The         Joint Finance Committee has held four public hearings around the         state. The first three were held in Stevens Point, Superior (relocated         from Minong), and West Allis. The fourth hearing was originally         scheduled to be held in Arcadia on Wednesday, but fortunately for the         residents of northeastern Wisconsin, it was relocated to Neenah. I had         the privilege of sitting in on the hearing and listening to citizens         from all over the area, including the 53rd Assembly District, present         their testimony to the committee. You may watch all the hearings on Wisconsin         Eye.

        In addition to the official hearing at Neenah, I also attended an         informal budget hearing hosted by Rep. Gordon Hintz on the UW-Oshkosh         campus last Saturday.

        As I mentioned in my last E-Update, Wisconsin residents who were unable         to attend a budget hearing, official or otherwise, may share their         comments and opinions with the Joint Finance Committee by e-mailing         budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov.

Last weekend, I also had the honor of attending a Disabled American Veterans district meeting at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, outside Waupaca. I was invited to speak as chairman of the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs. Other speakers  included Dan Naylor, the current chairman of the Board of Veterans Affairs, and Sen. Julie Lassa, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs.

 

Office Hours

This week I’m happy to announce that I am beginning this         session’s second round of office hours around the 53rd Assembly         District. I will be available to meet with interested citizens at the         following times and locations:

Thursday, April 21

Waupun City Hall
                Council Chambers
                201 E Main St, Waupun
                10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Waupun Town Hall
                N4369 County Road M, Brandon
                11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

 

I was unable to schedule office hours in the Town of Springvale at this time, but I invite town residents to stop by either of the Waupun locations next Thursday, or else at future office hours in other nearby communities.

                        I plan to announce more dates and locations around the                         53rd Assembly District in future E-Updates.

 

--Rep. Dick Spanabauer

WDVA CVSO Bulletin No.956: New Interest Rates for WDVA Personal Loan Program and WDVA Home Improvement Loan Program

Please see below a link to Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs CVSO Bulletin No.956, New Interest Rates for Personal Loan Program and Home Improvement Loan Program. 

The rates were approved today by the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs.

A copy of the bulletin can be found at www.WisVets.com/Bulletins/Bulletin_CVSO_956.pdf

CVSO Bulletins can be found at www.WisVets.com/PA_cvsobulletins.asp. 

Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) introduce Veterans Property Tax Credit Expansion Legislation

To:      Legislative Colleagues

From: Representative Kevin Petersen

Representative Petersen will be the Assembly lead on this bill.  It is identical to the Senate bill.  Unless otherwise requested, if you co-sponsor onto either bill, you will automatically be co-sponsored onto both bills.  Please call my office at 6-3794 by 5 pm on Monday, April 25th.

<<11-15411.pdf>>

_____________________________________________
TO:         Legislative Colleagues  
              
FROM:      Senator Dave Hansen

RE:        Co-sponsorship of LRB-1537/1, expanding the eligibility of the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit

Deadline: Monday, April 25th

At the request of a constituent, I am introducing LRB-1537/1.  My constituent requested this legislation after she was unable to claim the property tax credit as a surviving spouse of a Vietnam veteran who died as a result of a service connected disability.

Her husband, although eligible for federal Dependency & Indemnity Compensation, was too sick to apply for the property tax credit before his death.

This legislation would expand the eligibility for the property tax credit to surviving, unremarried spouses of veterans who die from a service related disability and were eligible for federal Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.

If you would like to co-sponsor LRB-1537/1, please reply to this email by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 25th.

--------------

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit may be claimed by certain U.S. armed forces veterans and by the unremarried surviving spouses of certain veterans or members of the national guard or reserves (collectively, “veterans”). To be eligible to claim the credit, the veteran must meet several criteria, including having been a resident of this state at the time of entry into the service or having been a resident of this state for any consecutive five-year period after entry into that service, and having either a service-connected disability rating of at least 100 percent or a 100 percent disability rating based on individual unemployability.

Similarly, to be eligible to claim the credit as a spouse of a veteran, the veteran to whom the unremarried surviving spouse was married must have been, generally, a resident of this state at the time of entry into the service or a resident of this state for any consecutive five-year period after entry into that service, and must have had either a service-connected disability rating of at least 100 percent or a 100 percent disability rating based on individual unemployability.

In general, the credit may be currently claimed in an amount equal to the
property taxes paid by the claimant on the veteran’s principal dwelling in the year to which the claim relates. The credit is refundable. If the amount of the credit for which a claimant is eligible exceeds the claimant’s income tax liability, the excess amount of the credit is paid to the claimant by check.

This bill expands the definition of eligible unremarried surviving spouse to
include an individual who is eligible for, and receives, dependency and indemnity compensation from the federal government due to his or her spouse’s status as a veteran whose death was service-connected.

-----------------

LRB 11-1541/1 - Rep. Petersen/Sen. Hansen Veterans Property Tax Credit Expansion

DAV Stand Up For Veterans Update–April 11, 2011

Stand Up For Veterans Update
April 11, 2011

 

Two New Studies Show VA Health Care For Seniors Better Than Medicare

More evidence that veterans receive high quality care through the VA health care system comes from the journal Medical Care, which recently published the results of two studies performed by Brown University researchers.  According to the studies, VA “…has made substantial improvements in quality, in some cases providing substantially better care than is available in private insurance plans.”

Advance Appropriations Protects VA Health Care System in Event of Shutdown

Thanks to approval of advance appropriations for VA medical care funding in the last Congress, veterans will “…see no change in their health benefits – including those involving hospital visits and other doctors’ appointments – in the event that Congress fails to pass a budget,” reports the Christian Science Monitor.  While some VA operations may be limited or suspended during a government shutdown, the VA health care system has already been fully funded for the year

Council on Veterans Programs, Board of Veterans Affairs meetings to be held in Madison next week

Next week, the state’s Council on Veterans Programs and WDVA’s governing Board of Veterans Affairs are scheduled to meet in Madison.

The meetings will be held on Thursday and Friday, April 14-15, 2011 at the WDVA central office in Madison.

DAV is represented on the Council by me, your DAV-Wis. State Special Assistant and appointed COVP Representative.  The post is a one-year term that expires June 30, 2011. 

Agendas for the meetings are available online at www.WisVets.com/Board_meetings.asp

-Anthony Hardie

DAV Stand Up For Veterans Update -- April 8, 2011

DAV Stand Up For Veterans Update
April 8, 2011

VA Health Care Lauded for Efficiency and Innovation

In an op-ed run by Politico this week, former Senator Bob Dole advised the “Obama administration and congressional leaders searching for ways to make the government more affordable and efficient… to study the health care delivery system of the Department of Veterans Affairs."  Based upon his personal experiences in the VA health care system, and as a policy maker who studied these issues for decades, Dole writes that VA’s, “…sophisticated information technology and supply-management systems allow VA to drive innovation throughout its health care system.”

Budget Option Dropping Veterans Health Care Under Fire from Disabled Veterans

In a new column out today, awarding-winning military journalist Tom Philpott reports on a proposal under consideration by the House Budget Committee that would cut off VA health care access for 1.3 million veterans currently in the system.  Disabled American Veterans' National Legislative Director Joe Violante told Philpott that, “…tossing 1.3 million veterans from VA care would leave the system without the ‘critical mass’ of patients needed to provide ‘a full continuum of care.’"

Veterans Career Transition Project at Select Job Corps Centers

National Learning Center - Home of the National Veterans' Training Institute

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

_______________________________________________________________

Veterans Career Transition Project at Select Job Corps Centers
_______________________________________________________________

Last July we told you about Veterans' Employment and Training Service
(VETS) and the Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) Office of
Job Corps partnering for an important demonstration project aimed at
Veterans 20-24 years old.

Don't stop promoting this valuable resource to your young Veteran
customers! This is the time to think outside the box in utilizing and
directing Veterans to resources and programs that they hadn't
considered.

Highlights of the project include:

- Job Corps' comprehensive array of career development services
- Project is free for eligible Veterans
- Program is customized for Veterans
- Includes transportation to and from the Job Corps center, housing,
meals, basic medical services, academic and career technical training
- Bi-weekly living allowance
- Job placement and post-graduation support

ETA has issued an Employment and Training Notice on the subject. You can
see it at http://www.nvti.ucdenver.edu/home/buzz_xtra/JC_Project.pdf.

Other resources:

Brochures (PDF) http://www.dol.gov/vets/jc-brochures/brochure.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
http://www.dol.gov/vets/jc-brochures/faqs.pdf

General Information (PDF)
http://www.dol.gov/vets/jc-brochures/general-info.pdf

Here is the contact info to sign-up for the demonstration project:
(800) 733-JOBS/5627
http://www.recruiting.jobcorps.gov

VETS' point of contact in our National Office is Tim Winter at phone
number, (202) 693-4705 or mailto:winter.timothy@dol.gov. The national
OJC point of contact is Maria Temiquel, (202) 693-3118.

WDVA Monthly Legislative Update–April 2011

The update below is provided by Max Dulberger, WDVA’s young and talented (albeit non-veteran) Executive Assistant. DAV and other veterans service organizations have been calling for top WDVA positions to be filled exclusively with veterans, preferably service-disabled veterans.

A letter to the federal VA from former Sec. Ken Black cited in the update below is in direct opposition to the position of DAV and many other veterans organizations, which call for the full restoration of the Wisconsin G.I. Bill and rescinding the current law requirement that causes Wisconsin veterans using the federal Post-9/11 G.I. Bill (Chapter 33) to simultaneously experience a direct credit-for-credit deduction in their Wisconsin G.I. Bill benefits.

In addition to the Governor’s budget proposal, a bill introduced by Democratic legislators would also provide the requested tfull restoration to the Wisconsin G.I. Bill.

Mr. Black resigned as WDVA’s Secretary effective April 1, 2011, following immense pressure from DAV and many other veterans service organizations.

--A.H.

--------------------

VETERANS LEGISLATION MONTHLY UPDATE

April 2011

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is launching the Veterans Legislation Monthly Update to notify veterans advocates on relevant legislative developments relating to Wisconsin veterans.

State Budget Update:

• Budget Introduction – On March 1, 2011, Governor Scott Walker introduced his 2011-2013 Biennial State Budget to the State Legislature.

• Veterans Budget – See the Governor’s Veterans Budget for detailed information from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

• Joint Finance Public Hearings – The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has scheduled four public hearings on the Budget. This is an opportunity for veterans advocates to show support for veterans issues. The dates, times and location of the hearings are:

• Thursday, April 7 (10 am – 6 pm). UW-Stevens Point (Quandt Fieldhouse) 2050 Fourth Street, Stevens Point.
• Friday, April 8 (10 am – 5 pm). UW-Superior (Wessman Arena) 2701 Catlin Avenue, Superior.
• Monday, April 11 (10 am – 6 pm). State Fair Park, Expo Center Hall A, West Allis.
• Wednesday, April 13. (10 am – 6 pm). Arcadia High School Auditorium, Arcadia.

• Written Testimony on Budget – Written testimony can be emailed to the Joint Finance Committee at budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov or sent by US mail to Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53703.

State Veterans Legislation:

• WDVA Secretary Appointed by Governor; WDVA Board Composition and Powers (LRB 1026-3) – Representative Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) recently distributed LRB 1026-3 for co-sponsorship by other legislators. Under this proposal, the Governor would appoint the WDVA Secretary, not the WDVA Board. Before appointing the Secretary, the Governor must consult with the presiding officers of at least six Wisconsin veterans organizations. Also, this proposal expands the Board to nine members, one from each of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts and one serving at large. In addition, the proposal stipulates that all Board members must have served on active duty, but need not have served in any particular war or conflict. Finally, the proposal grants the WDVA Secretary the authority to promulgate administrative rules after consulting the Board – approval would no longer be required. Legislators have until April 14 to co-sponsor the proposal before introduction.

• Restoration of the Wisconsin GI Bill (Senate Bill 53) – Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) recently introduced Senate Bill 53 to fully restore access to the Wisconsin GI Bill after a veteran exhausts their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. This bill would create the same result for student veterans as the provision included in the Governor’s budget proposal (see item #13 in the UW System Budget and item #8 in the Tech College Budget). SB 53 differs in that it modifies state appropriations to provide that universities and colleges are fully reimbursed for the cost of tuition and fee remissions. SB 53 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans & Military Affairs.

• County Blanket Bonds (Assembly Bill 60) – Representative Karl Van Roy (R-Green Bay) recently introduced Assembly Bill 60 to expand county blanket bonds to veteran service officers and veterans service commissions. The legislation passed out of the Assembly Committee on Urban & Local Affairs on April 5, and now it’s awaiting a referral to the full Assembly by the Rules Committee.

• Contact Your State Legislators – Contact your State Legislators

Federal Veterans Legislation:

• Implementation of Post-9/11 GI Bill Improvements Act (S. 3447) – A section of the Post-9/11 GI Bill Improvements Act of 2010 (S. 3447) creates a direct conflict between the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Wisconsin GI Bill as to which program is the payer of last resort. As confirmed by staff attorneys at the Wisconsin Legislative Council, “Wisconsin may lose the ability to require veterans to use Post-9/11 benefits before accessing Wisconsin GI Bill benefits. Further, veterans may have benefits paid under the Wisconsin GI Bill offset by corresponding reductions in federal benefits.” See Leg Council Memo and WDVA Letter to USDVA.

USDVA is in the process of establishing administrative rules to specify how these provisions will be implemented. If an adverse interpretation is codified in the administrative rules, Wisconsin veterans will lose access to a significant federal benefit simply because they hold entitlement to a state benefit. In addition, this interpretation would substantially increase the financial burden on Wisconsin universities.

WDVA partnered with the CVSO Association, the UW System, and Wisconsin Technical Colleges to send a joint letter to USDVA Secretary Shinseki. Since then, WDVA has been in direct contact with the USDVA Division of Intergovernmental Affairs, reiterating our belief that it was not the intention of Congress to penalize states like Wisconsin that have made a special commitment to help educate our veterans. The USDVA Division of Intergovernmental Affairs reports that the USDVA General Counsel is currently reviewing the issue.

• Allow Veterans to Refinance Mortgages (H.R. 834) – Representative Susan Davis (D-California) recently introduced H.R. 834 to expand access to state veterans home loan programs and allow veterans to use the program for refinancing purposes. Wisconsin is one of five states authorized to issue federally tax-exempt Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bonds (QVMBs), but under current law, the QVMB program can only be used for the purchase of a primary residence, not to refinance. For more info, see WDVA’s Paper on Federal Legislation to Help Vets with Homeownership.

In March, WDVA leadership met with six members of Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation, including Senator Ron Johnson, Representative Paul Ryan, Representative Ron Kind, Representative James Sensenbrenner, Representative Sean Duffy, and Representative Reid Ribble, to focus their attention and advocate for their support on this legislation. WDVA also sent supporting materials to the additional members of Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation.

H.R. 834 is currently awaiting action in the House Committee on Ways and Means. Accordingly, Representative Ron Kind sits on this committee, and WDVA is working with his office to identify steps to advance the proposal through the committee process.

• Expand Eligibility to Veterans Home Loans by Removing the 25-Year Limit (In Drafting)– Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon) is in the process of reintroducing legislation (H.R. 2319 from the 111^th Congress) to allow all veterans to receive state home loans regardless of when they separated from service. Under current law, veterans have 25 years after separating from military service to access a state home loan under the QVMB program. This provision excludes most veterans above the age of 45, including over 140,000 Vietnam War era veterans that reside in Wisconsin. Not only would this legislation ensure that all Wisconsin veterans have equal access to this important benefit, this legislation would revitalize the state’s veterans mortgage program and help ensure that the program can operate in future years. Once introduced, this legislation is expected to be referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

• Contact Your Federal Legislators – Contact your Federal Lawmakers

For additional updates and information on veterans legislation, visit www.WisVets.com/Legislation. Otherwise please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Thanks for your commitment to better serve our veterans,

Max Dulberger

Executive Assistant

Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

608-267-0784

Max.Dulberger@dva.state.wi.us

Rep. Kevin Petersen (R-Waupaca) Introduces Legislation to Change WDVA Secretary Appointment, Board of Veterans Affairs

 

DATE:             April 6th, 2011

TO:                  ALL LEGISLATORS

FROM:            Representative Kevin Petersen          

CO-SPONSORSHIP - LRB 1026/3 relating to: Composition of the Board of Veterans Affairs, the Appointment of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and promulgating rules for the Department of Veterans Affairs.            

DEADLINE:   12:00 Noon on Thursday April 14th, 2011

I am introducing LRB 1026/3 relating to: the composition of the Board of Veterans Affairs, the appointment of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and promulgating rules for the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Turmoil among key leadership positions at the Department of Veterans Affairs has hampered oversight of veterans home operations and raised concerns about stability and accountability of veterans programs.

A report released by the non-partisan Legislative Audit Bureau dated February 2011 specifically highlights:  “Ambiguity in certain DVA policies and inadequate oversight have led to significant financial and program management issues at the veterans homes, including spending that has exceeded revenues in four of the past five fiscal years.”

If you are interested in co-sponsoring LRB 1026/3, please contact Representative Petersen’s office at 6-3794 or reply to this e-mail by 12:00 Noon on Thursday April 14th, 2011.

-------

LRB 1026/3 relating to: Composition of the Board of Veterans Affairs, the Appointment of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and promulgating rules for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Joint Finance Committee Schedules Public Hearings on Governor’s Budget Proposal

The Wisconsin legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has scheduled four public hearings on the Biennial Budget Bill. The dates, times and location of the hearings are:

1. Thursday, April 7 (10 am – 6 pm). UW-Stevens Point (Lee Dreyfus University Center, Melvin Laird Room, Stevens Point)
2. Friday, April 8 (9 am – 4 pm). University of Wisconsin – Superior, Wessman Arena, 2701 Catlin Avenue, Superior, WI 54880 (NEW LOCATION)
3. Monday, April 11 (10 am – 6 pm). State Fair Park, Expo Center Hall A, West Allis.
4. Wednesday, April 13. (10 am – 6 pm). Arcadia High School Auditorium, Arcadia.

The committee notice says it will conclude taking testimony at the time specified.

Information on the Governor’s budget proposal for veterans is here:  http://davwi.blogspot.com/2011/03/details-governors-budget-for-veterans.html

Written comments can be emailed to the committee at: budgetcomments@legis.wisconsin.gov or sent by US mail to: Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol,Madison, WI 53703.

 

Members of the Joint Finance Committee

Senator Alberta Darling, Co-Chair
Representative Robin Vos, Co-Chair

Senator Luther Olsen
Representative Dan Meyer

Senator Sheila Harsdorf
Representative Dan LeMahieu

Senator Joe Leibham
Representative John Nygren

Senator Glenn Grothman
Representative Pat Strachota

Senator Randy Hopper
Representative Joel Kleefisch

Senator Lena Taylor
Representative Tamara Grigsby

Senator Robert Jauch
Representative Jennifer Shilling

Committee Clerk:
Joe Malkasian
Room 305 East, State Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
(608) 264-8314

Any correspondence to the Committee should be sent directly to each Joint Committee on Finance member’s office individually, including Co-Chair Darling and Co-Chair Vos, by U.S. Mail or E-mail. Member’s address information can be found by clicking on each of their names above.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Legislative Fiscal Bureau Summary of Governor’s budget proposals for WDVA

The Joint Committee on Finance is a statutory, 16-member standing committee of the Wisconsin Legislature. The Committee's primary responsibility is to serve as the principal legislative committee charged with the review of all state appropriations and revenues. The map indicates the home of each of the Committee's members.

Informational Paper #78, entitled Joint Committee on Finance is a detailed summary, prepared by the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau, that describes the Committee's responsibilities. This file requires Adobe Acrobat.

The Legislative Fiscal Bureau prepares a variety of papers to assist the Joint Committee on Finance during its deliberations on the state’s budget, other legislation that the Committee addresses and requests under s. 13.10 of the statutes. Click here to go to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau web page.

If you wish to receive Joint Committee on Finance meeting notices by E-mail, please visit the Wisconsin Legislative Notification Service at:http://notify.legis.state.wi.us/Home.aspx

State Convention Reminder

**Registration Deadline – June 1st**

June 9 – 11, 2011 – Green Bay, Wis. – DAV-Wis. State Convention

WHERE: Radisson Hotel & Convention Center, 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WI 54313

RESERVATIONS: 920-494-7300   $89.00-Single/Quad rates 

MORE INFORMATION:

• Registration Form
• Agenda
• Candidates  - Candidates, send me your candidate information for posting to the website

**Registration Deadline – June 1st**

DAV Participates in, Supports Governor’s Press Conference on State Budget for Veterans

Budget proposals, restructuring of WDVA, Board of Veterans Affairs discussed in detail

On April 1, 2011, Governor Scott Walker held a press conference in New Berlin, Wis. to discuss his proposed 2011-2013 Biennial Budget for veterans. In attendance were several veteran service organizations, including DAV.

While the press conference conflicted with the National Executive Committee 12^th District meeting being held in Stevens Point (which prevented Commander John Hoeft from attending), representing Commander Hoeft was Dick Marbes, State Treasurer and a Past National Commander. Also attending was myself, Al Labelle, State Judge Advocate.

Other veteran service organizations attending were Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, AMVETS, and Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).

The Governor spoke quite eloquently on meeting the needs of veterans, calling it a “bipartisan issue.” He talked about restoring the Wisconsin G.I. Bill to its original form and intent; restoring the ‘lapse’ taken from the Veterans Trust Fund during the previous Biennial Budget; funding the Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit; and funding the Veterans Trust Fund to ensure its solvency.

Additionally, the Governor discussed the budget increasing funds for Veteran Outreach and for Cemetery Maintenance.

Also mentioned was the new Wisconsin Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls. Funding for the construction of the Chippewa Falls Home will be federal government (65%) and state bonds (35%). Revenues from the Chippewa Falls Home will fund ongoing expenses.

Most of the items were recommendations made by DAV to the Governor’s Staff in a January 12^th meeting held at the Capitol in the Governor’s Office. Also in attendance at the January meeting were the above mentioned veteran service organizations.

A pleasant surprise occurred during the Question & Answer Session following the Governor’s remarks. In a response to a query about the recent resignation of WDVA Secretary Ken Black, Governor Walker went into great detail about the possibility of legislation being introduced next week, which he will support, that will restructure and reorganize the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Board of Veterans Affairs.

The Governor endorsed expanding the Board to nine members, one from the eight Congressional Districts and one At-Large member. This will give the entire state representation on the Board. The anticipated legislation will redefine the qualifications of Board Members and the Board will now become an advisor to the Governor and Legislature, not the overseer of the Department.

Most importantly, the WDVA Secretary will now be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the Senate, and become a member of the Governor’s Cabinet.

These ideas again were recommendations made by DAV at the January meeting. The Governor deserves praise from DAV and the other veteran service organizations for embracing and articulating these new ideas.

Representing the other veteran service organizations at the Press Conference were:

• DAV: Dick Marbes, State Treasurer and Past National Commander; Al Labelle, State Judge Advocate.
• VFW: Tom Lemmer, State Commander; Larry Kutschma, State Senior Vice Commander; and Steve Lawrence, State Adjutant/Quartermaster.
• American Legion: Robert Batty, State Commander and David Kurtz, Adjutant.
• AMVETS: Gene Wagner, State Commander and Tim Thiers, State Legislative Chair.
• MOPH: Bill Hustad, State Commander and Jason John, Legislative Committee.

--Al Labelle

Victory for Veterans: Governor Walker’s Budget Restores Wisconsin G.I. Bill, Protects Our Veterans

Victory for Veterans: Governor Walker’s Budget Restores Wisconsin G.I. Bill, Protects Our Veterans

New Berlin – Governor Scott Walker met with veteran service organizations today to proudly announce that the proposed 2011 – 2013 Biennial Budget restores the Wisconsin G.I. Bill, ensures the solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund, and fully funds veteran assistance programs. 

“Protecting Wisconsin’s most courageous citizens is of the highest priority, and restoring the Wisconsin G.I. Bill is a promise that I am proud to keep,” Governor Walker said.  “In addition to restoring the G.I. Bill, our budget will ensure that the Veterans Trust Fund is solvent so that future generations can keep their promise to our heroes.  Our honored veterans fought so that we can be free.  It is our duty to provide them with the opportunities and care that they rightfully deserve when they return home.”

Disabled America Veterans State Commander John Hoeft: “Governor Scott Walker’s proposed budget would restore a promise to Wisconsin’s veterans by fully reversing enacted cuts to the Wisconsin G.I. Bill, provide for a new veterans nursing home in Chippewa Falls, and maintain funding for key state veterans programs and services. This budget proposal is good for veterans.”

WI MOPH Department Commander William F.Hustad: “The Military Order of the Purple Heart- Department of Wisconsin is pleased to announce its support of Governor Walker's 2011-13 proposed budget that restores full funding for the Wisconsin G.I. Bill tuition remission program.Specifically, the Survivor and Dependent program which provides full tuition remission for the dependents of veterans who are federally rated with a 30% or greater service connected disability and also to the dependent survivors of our brave men and women who are killed in action.

Restoring the Wisconsin G.I. Bill

In the recent economic downturn, many veterans were left unemployed without the tools to successfully reenter the workforce. Restoring this promise and benefit to our veterans will provide them with the opportunity of pursuing advanced degrees or retraining in new fields that assist in their transition from active duty to civilian employment.  It will also allow for remission of academic credits and tuition.

Ensuring the Solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund

The Veterans Trust Fund has experienced cash flow shortfalls since 2003 and a structural deficit since fiscal year 2006. Without action, the fund was on the road to bankruptcy by 2013.

The Governor’s 2011-2013 budget ensures solvency by providing sufficient funds to support vital programs that veterans rely on, and gives the Department of Veterans Affairs the flexibility to reallocate revenues within the agency to best meet the needs of Wisconsin’s veterans.  The Governor’s budget also allocates $416,800 in new General Purpose Revenue(GPR) to repay past raids on the fund.

Increased Funding for Veteran Outreach

Many veterans return home without knowing the benefits that they are eligible to receive, and many are reluctant to ask for assistance.  By increasing funding for outreach, we will be able to help them transition to civilian life.

Creation of a Veterans Home in Chippewa Falls

A new veterans home will be created in Chippewa Falls. Funding for its creation will be provided by the federal government (65%) and program revenue-supported state general obligation bonds (35%).  Ongoing operations will be funded by the home’s revenue.

Increased Funding for Cemetery Maintenance and Staff

Due to increased demand for services, the Governor’s budget provides for additional funding to meet the needs of veterans and their families.

In addition to the reforms above, Governor Walker’s budget calls for a reorganization and consolidation of the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide greater administrative efficiency and improved oversight.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and AMVETS endorse these measures and were included in today’s meeting with Governor Walker.