WDVA: Moving Wall to be Displayed in Spooner

(MADISON) – A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or “Moving Wall,” will be on display to the public
from July 28 to August 1 at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, the Wisconsin Department
of Veterans Affairs announced.

Sponsored by Washburn County and veterans’ organizations of northern Wisconsin, the exhibit will be open for
viewing around the clock, from the Opening Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 28 until 8:00 a.m. on
Monday, August 1.  There will be a Closing Ceremony at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 31.

The Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery is located at N4063 Veterans Way in Spooner, along
Hwy 53.  For more information about the cemetery location and directions, see www.WisVets.com/Cemeteries.
Read more about the Moving Wall exhibit at www.themovingwall.org.

WDVA: Nominations sought for Wisconsin Woman Veteran of the Year Award

(MADISON) – The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is seeking nominations for the
fifth annual Wisconsin Woman Veteran of the Year Award. The award will be presented during the Women
Veterans Conference being held September 23-25 at Fort McCoy.

As part of WDVA’s ongoing commitment to women veterans, the award recognizes women veterans who have
compiled a record of exemplary service as a military service member, a veteran, and an outstanding member of
the community.

The 2010 award recipient was Jessica Maple of Mosinee, who has served her country for 14 years in the
Air Force and Air National Guard and still serves today. She has supported three major deployments and
several military training and professional development events in recent years. Maple served twice supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom. She took time while deployed and volunteered at several base Fallen Warrior
ceremonies. She has also been selected as the senior NCO of the Year for the Air National Guard.

Nominations will be accepted from any Wisconsin resident, veteran, County Veterans Service Officer or
veterans service organization or group. Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year for the
annual award. Completed nomination forms for the 2011 award must be received no later than August 31.

Forms must be submitted in writing, with a narrative not to exceed 500 words, explaining why the veteran is
being nominated for the award. Those nominations not selected may be retained for future award consideration.

Nomination forms are available online at www.WisVets.com/Forms under “brochures” (WDVA B0218) or can
be mailed to those who call to request it by calling toll-free at 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387) and asking for the
Women Veterans Coordinator.

To see more information about the award to include the previous recipient, visit www.WisVets.com/WomenVets.
For more information on WDVA programs and services please see www.WisVets.com.

AB 96 to be signed into law July 13th

Governor Scott Walker will sign 2011 Assembly Bill 96 into law in a public ceremony in the State Capitol on Wednesday morning, July 13th.

The bill will restore the appointment of the WDVA Secretary to an appointment by the Governor and confirmed by the state Senate.  The process was changed to the current, Board-appointed process in 1977, a change that was adamantly opposed by nearly all veterans service organizations and county veterans service officers.

Earlier this year, DAV's Executive Committee considered these issues twice and agreed -- with one member opposing -- to support the AB 96 restoration.

The bill signing ceremony will be held in the Governor's Conference Room in the State Capitol, and a number of key DAV leaders plan to attend.

(Personal note:  Despite having put a lot of personal and organizational effort into getting AB 96 introduced, amended, and passed, due to prior plans, I'll be in Washington, DC on Capitol Hill working on military health research and foreign affairs funding and regrettably unable to attend the ceremony.)


--Anthony Hardie, Madison, Wis.

WDVA Legislative Update - July 7, 2011

WDVA VETERANS LEGISLATION – MONTHLY UPDATE

July 5, 2011

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) provides the Veterans Legislation Monthly Update to notify veterans advocates on relevant legislative developments relating to Wisconsin veterans.

STATE BUDGET UPDATE:

• Budget Passed and Signed – On June 16, the Legislature completed action on the 2011-2013 State Budget, and on June 26, the Governor signed the budget with partial vetoes.

• Summary of Major Budget Provisions relating to Veterans Programs:

• $5 Million GPR Provided to Trust Fund – The budget allocates $5 million in general purpose revenue to the Veterans Trust Fund.  Recent budget projections from WDVA and LFB indicated that the Veterans Trust Fund would experience a $3.7 million shortfall before the end of the 2011-13 biennium without legislative authorization.  This is the first infusion of GPR dollars into the Trust Fund since 1988.  The budget also requires that WDVA provide recommendations to the Legislature on adopting a viable long-term funding source for the Veterans Trust Fund by June 30, 2012.

• Restoration of Wisconsin GI Bill – The budget fully restores access to the Wisconsin GI Bill for Post-9/11 veterans.  Furthermore, the budget enhances access to the Wisconsin GI Bill by ensuring that schools remits the full amount of tuition and fees charged for any degree credit course, including online and distance learning courses.  For more info, see item #12 in the Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s (LFB) UW System Comparative Budget Summary and item #10 in the Wisconsin Technical Colleges Comparative Budget Summary. 

• Wisconsin GI Bill at UW-Madison – The budget does not create a separate University of Wisconsin-Madison authority.  Accordingly, the provision that would have enabled the UW-Madison Board of Trustees to eliminate the Wisconsin GI Bill under an adopted resolution is null and void. 

• Increased Budget for Veterans Property Tax Credit – The budget increases the expenditure authority for the Veterans Property Tax Credit Program by $23.8 million over the biennium to support an anticipated increase in usage.  Accordingly, the budget expands the total program budget to $39 million over the biennium.  For more info, see item #5 in LFB’s General Fund Taxes Comparative Budget Summary. 

• Exemption from the Nursing Home Bed Assessment (Bed Tax) – The budget continues the exemption from payment of the bed assessment for the Wisconsin Veterans Homes.  For more info, see item #2 under “Veterans Homes” in LFB’s Veterans Affairs Comparative Budget Summary. 

• Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls – The budget approves the operating budget for the forthcoming Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls.  Also, the budget restores the requirement to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for the purpose of identifying the most appropriate business model for the future operation of the Chippewa Falls Veterans Home.  Under the final version of the budget, WDVA will conduct a cost-benefit analysis prior to contracting with a private entity for the operation and staffing of Chippewa Falls and submit the analysis to the Department of Administration.  WDVA may only contract for services which can be performed more economically or efficiently by such contract.  For more info, see item D-34 in the LFB’s Summary of Partial Vetoes in the 2011-2013 State Budget.

• Funding Restored for Military Funeral Honors Stipends – The Legislature and Governor recently passed Assembly Bill 148 (“the bill to pay the bills”), which provides $68,900 GPR to ensure the availability of military funeral honor stipends for veterans service organizations for the remainder of the current fiscal year.  Because the stipends were funded in AB 148, the repetitive language in the state budget bill was not needed and therefore removed.

STATE VETERANS LEGISLATION:

• Legislature Recesses for Summer – Now that the budget has passed, the Wisconsin Legislature has adjourned the regular session.  They aren’t scheduled to convene until early fall.  While legislative committees can still hold public hearings and executive sessions, the Legislature is not scheduled to hold any regular floor sessions until September.

• Appointment of WDVA Secretary; WDVA Board Composition and Powers (AB 96 / SB 97) – On June 8, both the Assembly and Senate passed AB 96 / SB 97, which gives the Governor to appoint the WDVA Secretary and alters the composition and powers of the WDVA Board.  The bill is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Under this bill, the Governor would appoint the WDVA Secretary.  Before appointing the Secretary, the Governor must consult with the presiding officers of at least six Wisconsin veterans organizations.  Also, the proposal transfers the direction and supervision of the Department from the Board to the Secretary.  Relating to the composition of the Board, this proposal expands the Board to nine members, one from each of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts and one serving at large.  Finally, the proposal stipulates that all Board members must have served on active duty, but need not have served in any particular war or conflict.

• Preferential Hiring for Disabled Veterans (not introduced) – The WDVA Office of the Secretary is putting forward a proposal to create new pathways to state employment for disabled veterans.  Under current law, state agencies are allowed to expedite appointments of 30% disabled veterans through the non-competitive hiring process if the applicant meets the qualifying criteria set by the agency.  But the non-competitive hiring process is limited to entry-level and non-professional positions.  Accordingly, the Office of the Secretary is working to bring forward legislation that expands the non-competitive hiring process for disabled veterans to all state positions.  See the following link for more info:  Issue Brief: Preferential Hiring for Disabled Veterans.  The Office of the Secretary submitted the proposal to the Governor’s office and is currently awaiting their feedback.

• Track State Veterans Legislation – You can visit WDVA’s State Veterans Legislation – Key Bills webpage to track developments and gather additional information on state veterans legislation.  Also, you can sign up for the Wisconsin Legislative Notification Service toreceive automatic email alerts relating to legislative action on specific bills, committees, legislators and subject areas.

• Contact Your State Legislators – Contact your State Legislators

FEDERAL VETERANS LEGISLATION

• Senate Committee Action on “Hiring Heroes Act of 2011” (S. 951) – The Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Patty Murray, recently introduced the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 (S. 951).  The bill would implement a variety of practices to increase employment opportunities for veterans, including:

1.      Requiring preseparation job counseling to members whose discharge or release is anticipated;

2.      Instructing the VA Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to follow-up on the employment status of certain veterans;

3.      The provision of additional VA rehabilitation programs for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities; and

4.      The provision of VA grants to nonprofit organizations under a collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program for eligible veterans seeking employment.

On June 8, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held hearings on the bill, and on June 29, the bill was ordered to be reported out of committee without amendments.  For more details, see the Congressional Research Service’s summary of S. 951. 

• Track Federal Veterans Legislation – You can visit WDVA’s Federal Veterans Legislation – Key Bills webpage to track developments and gather more information on federal legislation specific to Wisconsin veterans. 

• Contact Your Federal Legislators – Contact your Federal Lawmakers

For additional updates and information on the veterans budget and veterans legislation, visit www.WisVets.com/Legislation.  Otherwise please don’t hesitate to contact our office 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

New Law Provides $68,900 in additional GPR for WDVA Military Funeral Honors Program

STATE OF WISCONSIN
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Email:  Headquarters@dva.state.wi.us
Website:  www.WisVets.com

June 30, 2011
WDVA Bulletin No. 960
TO:  Veterans Service Organizations, County Veterans Service Officers

SUBJECT:  Military Funeral Honors (MFH) Stipend Funding

The purpose of this bulletin is to announce that $68,900 of additional funding has been approved for funeral
honors stipend reimbursement requests for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 by the Wisconsin State
Legislature as part of 2011 Wisconsin Act 27.  This legislation provides funding to cover the stipend program
funding shortfall previously identified in WDVA Bulletin No. 958.

Veteran Service Organizations are encouraged to submit reimbursement requests for stipends using the normal
submission process in an expeditious manner.  Reimbursement requests for fiscal year 2011 will be processed
with the approved additional funding as part of the biennial budget.  Payment of these stipends will occur on or
after July 5, 2011.

Please check our website at www.WisVets.com/FuneralHonors#Stipend for future program updates.  For more information on WDVA funeral honors program, please call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387) and ask to speak with someone in the Military Funeral Honors Section.

Governor's Veto Message -- Introduction and Veteran-Related Provisions

To the Honorable Members of the Assembly:

I have approved Assembly Bill 40 as 2011 Wisconsin Act 32 and deposited it in the
Office of the Secretary of State.

This budget reflects a return to the bedrock principles of our state's constitution –
frugality and moderation.  It's a budget that is, for the first time in many years,
balanced – now and in the future – with a structural surplus of over $300 million in
the 2013-15 biennium.  It avoids relying on accounting gimmicks, fund raids and
one-time funds.  With this budget, we have begun to put our state's financial house in
order and make our finances more transparent.  And this budget is enacted before the
start of the new biennium – with the earliest signing date since 1967.

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VETERAN-RELATED COMMENTS

Ensures the solvency of the veterans trust fund over the next biennium by providing $5 million GPR in additional funding to support benefits to veterans.

Strengthens the veterans tuition remission program by expanding it to include the University of Wisconsin-Madison Executive Masters in Business Administration program, distance education, on-line and 100 percent fee funded programs, and by increasing the number of credits or semesters eligible for state tuition remissions.

Chippewa Falls Veterans Home Cost-Benefit Analysis 

Sections 234 and 9101 (2u) 

These sections require the Department of Administration to conduct a cost-benefit 

analysis on the initial contract for the operation and staffing of the Veterans Home at 

Chippewa Falls and to submit the results to the Joint Committee on Finance by 

February 1, 2012, or before the Department of Veterans Affairs enters into a contract for 

the operation of the home.  Further, the Department of Veterans Affairs is exempted 

from the current law requirement to conduct a cost-benefit analysis meeting the same 

criteria prior to entering into the contract. 

I am vetoing section 234 because I object to exempting the Department of Veterans 

Affairs from the requirement to conduct a cost-benefit analysis prior to contracting for the 

operation of the home.  Further, I am partially vetoing section 9101 (2u) requiring the 

Department of Administration to conduct a similar cost-benefit analysis because this 

requirement is unnecessary and duplicative of the Department of Veterans Affairs 

analysis. 

Veterans Trust Fund Information 

Section 9153 (2j) 

This section requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit as part of its 2013-15 

biennial budget request to the Department of Administration an estimate of the amount 

of revenues that will be deposited into the veterans trust fund during that biennium and 

that the total recommendation for appropriation from the trust fund is not greater than the 

amount to be deposited into the fund. 

I am partially vetoing this section to remove the requirement that the total 

recommendation for appropriation from the fund is not more than available revenue 

because it is overly limiting on the department.  It is widely understood that the veterans 

trust fund is facing financial uncertainty and to place such restrictions on the department 

does not work toward the goal of finding reliable revenue streams while maintaining 

services for Wisconsin's veteran population. 

Military Funeral Honors Funding – Technical Veto 

Sections 9253 (1j) and 9453 (1j) 

This provision provides $68,900 GPR funding in the second year of the 2009-11 

biennium to reimburse veterans service organizations that provide military funeral 

honors for veterans in this state. 

I am vetoing this provision at the request of the Legislative Reference Bureau because 

funding for this purpose has already been addressed in 2011 Wisconsin Act 27.



SCOTT WALKER,
GOVERNOR

GOVERNOR: Governor Walker’s Budget for Veterans - Promises Kept

Governor Walker’s Budget for Veterans - Promises Kept

Restoring the Wisconsin GI Bill:

In 2006, a promise was made to the men and women who sign up to serve our nation in the military.  Since that time they have fought, been injured and far too many have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.  While these heroes were fighting, a benefit promised to them was taken away.  The Wisconsin GI Bill, a landmark piece of legislation was effectively eliminated.

In Governor Walker’s budget, the Wisconsin GI Bill is ‘fully’ restored.  Not only is the Wisconsin GI Bill restored, but it is expanded and clarified to include distance learning and online courses.  

By protecting the Wisconsin GI Bill so veterans can retrain and rebuild their resumes they will be in a better position to find gainful employment and provide for their families that have also sacrificed so much for our nation.  

There is no greater benefit to our veterans struggling to find employment than the restoration of the WI GI Bill.  The restoration of the Wisconsin GI Bill is part of creating 250,000 jobs and keeping a promise to our honored veterans.

Ensuring the Solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund:

The solvency of the Veterans Trust Fund has been an issue for the better part of a decade.  When Governor Walker took office the balance of the trust fund was on a steady decline and projections had it in deficit at the end of the second fiscal year.  

Governor Walker’s budget provides $5 million general fund tax dollars to the Veterans Trust Fund.  This is the largest injection of general fund dollars to the fund since 1972.  The Governor’s budget also provides $416,800 in GPR to repay the raid on the fund by the previous administration and Legislature.

Governor Walker’s budget also gives the WDVA, with Legislative oversight, the flexibility to shift funds in surplus within the department to ensure the VTF remains a strong tool to assist our needy and honored veterans into the future.  The budget also requires WDVA to report a long term solvency plan for the fund to the Governor and Legislature.

Funding for Wisconsin’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery King:

Governor Walker’s budget provides $66,500 general fund revenue for maintenance of the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at King.  Previously, money from veteran’s estates and nursing home operations funds were used to maintain the 14 acre cemetery. 

Caring for More Veterans and Creating Jobs at No Cost to State Taxpayers:

The Governor’s budget keeps a promise made by the state to create a veterans home in Northwest Wisconsin.  The Chippewa Falls Veterans Home complements Wisconsin’s two existing Veterans Homes in King and Union Grove, bringing additional resources to our aging veterans in Northwestern Wisconsin.  Through construction of this facility, Wisconsin will be able to not only honor our aging heroes, but offer them a unique community built to address their unique needs.

In addition, the Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls is an economic win for the local community and taxpayers, providing a long term economic boost to the region.  It will help add vitality and opportunity to the Chippewa area’s construction industry.  The home will also create permanent health care jobs.

The Chippewa Veterans Home is a $20 million construction project that is estimated to create 90 full‐time professional jobs in the area without requiring any state general fund tax revenue.  A federal grant along with ongoing revenues from the home will pay for the entire project’s cost.  The home is also required to achieve a four star rating similar to the King and Union Grove homes ensuring our veterans are properly cared for.

By constructing the veteran’s home in Chippewa Falls, the Governor is continuing to fulfill our responsibility to the men and women who served their country and state so well.

Fully Funding the Veterans and Surviving Spouse Tax Credit:

In the Governor’s budget, the Veterans and Surviving Spouse Property Tax Credit is fully funded without reducing eligibility.  The tax credit benefit offered to our most vulnerable veterans and their spouses will increase to $39 million in the next biennium (2011‐13).  That is a $23.8 million increase in property tax credits over the next two years for eligible veterans.

Continuing the Disabled Veteran Business Certification Program:

Governor Walker’s budget continues the new disabled veteran business certification program.  The program will be housed in the new Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

Extending a Property Tax Relief Program to Veterans: 

Governor Walker’s budget allows eligible veterans to now participant in the property tax deferral loan program operated by the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.  

Fully Funding Military Funeral Honors:

The Governor fully funds military funeral honors in the “bill to pay the bills”.  Assembly Bill 148 fully restored and funded $68,900 for military funeral honors.  Because military funeral honors were funded in AB 148, the repetitive language in the biennial budget bill was not needed and
therefore removed.

Governor to Sign Budget: Veterans Programs, New GRP Funding to Remain Fully Intact

 

The Governor has announced he will sign the biennial budget this Sunday at a local business in Green Bay.  The budget includes many favorable veterans-related provisions, including nearly $30 million in new GPR.

The Governor's office today explained that the Military Funeral Honors Program was already fully funded through the current biennium via the "Bill to Pay the Bills" passed a week or two ago.

The only budget veto related to veterans will be a technical change to therefore strike the redundant MFHP language from the budget bill. There should be an explanatory note as well.

Details about the veterans’ budget provisions, including a relatively small but important expansion of the Wisconsin G.I. Bill tuition remission for veterans and dependents at UW campuses. will be posted here in the next day or two. 

Commander Reaches Out to Key Elected Officials

 

The following is the test of a letter new DAV State Commander Kevin “K.C.” Johnson sent to Governor Walker this week.

Commander Johnson sent similar letters to key legislators.

--Anthony Hardie, Madison, Wis.

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

June 12, 2011

Dear Governor Walker,

Yesterday, I was honored to have been elected to serve as the Disabled American Veterans Department of Wisconsin State Commander for 2011-12. As the new DAV state commander, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and to reintroduce DAV to you.

As you may know, DAV is the largest organization of service-disabled wartime veterans in the world. Made up of well over one million men and women disabled in our nation’s defense, DAV is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our entire 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. As a major national commitment, DAV also provides an extensive transportation program to our veterans get to their often far-flung VA medical appointments. As part of this key national DAV program, we operated 35 volunteer-driven vans that crisscross the state. DAV also maintains state-level department like here in Wisconsin and more than 2,400 local chapters, including 55 here in our state.

Like our other members, I’m a service-disabled wartime veteran. But as I’m sure you would agree, this is really about the disabled veterans we serve.

For my year as Commander, I have assembled and appointed a staff of high quality, knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated service-disabled men and women who, I anticipate, will help make my year as DAV State Commander one filled with shared accomplishments to further benefit Wisconsin’s disabled and other veterans and their families.

To that end, I have directed key members of my staff – most of them volunteers – to work closely with you and your staff, our State Legislature, and our Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. Those DAV staff members include: State State Legislative Director Al Labelle of Marshfield; State Special Assistant and State Council on Veterans Programs Representative Anthony Hardie of Madison; State Adjutant Ken Kuehnl of Union Grove; and, State Deputy Adjutant Dick Marbes of Green Bay.

DAV is fully prepared to continue to actively assist the continuing influx of our newest disabled veterans returning to our state from active duty in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the globe. While DAV’s financial and staffing requirements are both large and demanding, we keep up with those demands through countless volunteers and donors who see the need for DAV’s assistance programs. There are many sick and disabled veterans who need to be transported to their medical appointments at the myriad of VA facilities around the state and DAV will always be there for them.

We have seen your immediate efforts on behalf of Wisconsin’s veterans that began shortly after you had been elected as Governor, even before you officially took office. Those ongoing efforts and your first successes on behalf of our service-disabled and other veterans are noted and greatly appreciated.

On behalf of DAV and the more than 53,500 service-disabled Wisconsin veterans whose interests we represent, I look forward to working with you and your staff for the betterment of our disabled, wartime and other Wisconsin veterans. If we or I can ever be of assistance to your or your staff in our shared goals of aiding and assisting our veterans, please do not hesitate to contact any one of us.

Sincerely,

DAV DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN

Kevin C. “K.C.” Johnson

COMMANDER

WDVA: Groundbreaking for the John R. Moses Chippewa Falls Veterans Home June 24th

June 13, 2011 Contact: Kathleen Scholl 608-267-3582

For Immediate Release

Groundbreaking Ceremony for new Skilled Nursing Facility to be held on June 24 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls
Facility to be dedicated in honor of former department Secretary John R. Moses

The following advisory from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) is to announce and invite the public as well as the local media to attend an important event -- PHOTO OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT: A formal ceremony with federal and state officials will take place on June 24th to break ground for a new Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) at the Wisconsin Veterans Home-Chippewa Falls (WVH-CF).

Initial phases of construction have started on a 72-bed facility on the grounds of the Chippewa Falls Home, located at the Northern Wisconsin Center.
Initial plans for a Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls began with 2003 Wisconsin Act 102, which authorized WDVA to use specified funds for programs and facilities for veterans in northwestern Wisconsin.

The project has been reviewed by the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs, Wisconsin State Legislature, the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, and the Wisconsin Building Commission.

The Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs, in a building naming motion in April 2011, approved naming the new Skilled Nursing Facility in honor of the late John R. Moses.

WHEN: Friday, June 24, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: 2175 East Park Ave., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
The ceremony will take place off of the National Guard Armory parking lot that is just past the actual construction site on County Road J/ East Park Ave. Please follow the signs from Seymour Cray Sr. Blvd.

WHO:

• Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Acting Secretary Donna Williams
• Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs Chair Dan Naylor
• Judy Johnson-Mekota, Deputy Network Director, U.S. Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23
• Chippewa Falls Mayor Greg Hoffman
• Representatives of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl and U.S. Congressman Sean Duffy
• State Representatives Tom Larson and Kathy Bernier.

Veterans, their family members, legislators and other interested parties have been invited to attend the ceremony. Also on hand will be members of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs and family members of the late former Secretary John R. Moses.

WISCONSIN VETERANS HOME-CHIPPEWA FALLS

Location: 2175 East Park Ave., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

Directions: From I-94 take US 53 N toward Eau Claire/Superior. After 10 miles merge onto WI-29 E via Exit 95A toward Green Bay. After 3.2 miles take the WI -29 BR/WI-178 exit, Exit 79 toward Chippewa Falls. Turn right onto WI-178 N/Seymour Cray Sr. Blvd. After 1.4 miles turn Right at stoplight on CR-J/E Park Ave. The site is on the right and parking is available in the National Guard Armory parking lot (just before 1^st Street).

Message from the Chair: Assembly Vets Committee Chair Rep. Dick Spanbauer on Why He Supported AB 96

 

The Assembly and the Senate met on Wednesday of this week to vote on several important pieces of legislation, including a few bills that were held over from our May session. Perhaps the most significant from my perspective as chairman of the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs is Assembly Bill 96, which overhauls the leadership structure at the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. AB 96 was scheduled for a floor vote on May 17, but an objection to the bill’s third reading delayed the final vote until this week.

AB 96 expands the Board of Veterans Affairs to nine members, including at least one from each of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts; members’ terms are reduced from six years to four years. AB 96 also gives the Governor the authority to appoint the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, who must be a veteran. Under current law, the Board appoints the Secretary, which means that the Secretary is appointed by appointees and is not directly accountable to any elected official.        

I supported AB 96 throughout the process because I believe that not only is it in veterans’ interests for the Secretary to have good working relationship with the Governor, but also for the Governor to have the power to remove a Secretary who does not perform his or her duties effectively and give veterans the service they deserve. The Governor, regardless of party, is commander in chief of Wisconsin’s National Guard, and I see his position as similar to that of the President, who has the authority to appoint the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That is the primary reason by why I support allowing the Governor to appoint the WDVA Secretary despite supporting legislation last session that would have allowed the Natural Resources Board to appoint the DNR Secretary.          

The Assembly passed AB 96 on a 59-37 vote, and the Senate concurred on a 21-12 vote. It will now go to Governor Walker for his signature.

 

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The Spanbauer E-Update is the e-newsletter designed to keep my constituents and friends up-to-date with the latest State Capitol news. I hope that you will find these updates informative, and also it will give readers another way to communicate to me their concerns. 

I hope you will continue to share your opinions with my staff and me, regardless of which side of an issue you’re on. My office’s toll-free number is (888) 534-0053.

Please feel free to forward the newsletter to friends and family who you think would like to know what is happening at the State Capitol. To sign up, send an email to Rep.Spanbauer@legis.wi.gov and request Spanbauer E-Update.

WDVA Legislative Update - June 8, 2011

VETERANS LEGISLATION – MONTHLY UPDATE

June 8, 2011

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) provides the Veterans Legislation Monthly Update to notify veterans advocates on relevant legislative developments relating to Wisconsin veterans.

STATE BUDGET UPDATE:

• Budget Status – The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) completed executive action on the Governor’s 2011-13 State Budget on Saturday, June 4.  Now that JFC has finished its work, the budget has been forwarded to the full Assembly and Senate for their consideration.  From there, the budget will be sent to the Governor, where vetoes or partial vetoes may be introduced.  Pending a delay, the budget is set to take effect on July 1.

• JFC made several important changes relating to veterans programs, including:

• Restoration of Wisconsin GI Bill – JFC approved motion #489, which adopts the Governor’s recommendation to fully restore access to the Wisconsin GI Bill for Post-9/11 veterans.  Furthermore, the motion implements several additional clarifications to enhance access to the Wisconsin GI Bill, including a provision to ensure that the Board of Regents remits the full amount of tuition and fees charged for any degree credit course, including online and distance learning courses (see items #19 and #20 in the motion). 

• Wisconsin GI Bill at UW-Madison – JFC approved motion #489, which deletes the Governor’s recommendation to create a separate University of Wisconsin-Madison authority (see item #1 in the motion).  Accordingly, this motion removes the provision that would have eliminated the Wisconsin GI Bill at UW-Madison as of July 1, 2013, or under a resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees.

• Increased Budget for Veterans Property Tax Credit – The Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) reestimated the costs to support the Veterans Property Tax Credit for the 2011-2013 biennium.  They anticipate that the state will need to budget $9.7 million more than delineated in the Governor’s budget recommendations.  LFB explains that the higher costs are due to increased awareness of the program as well as projected increases in property taxes.  Accordingly, JFC increased expenditure authority for the program by an additional $9.7 million, expanding the total program budget to $39 million over the biennium.  For more info, see LFB’s Budget Paper #313. 

• $5 Million GPR Provided to Trust Fund – JFC unanimously approved a motion to allocate $5 million in general purpose revenue to the Veterans Trust Fund.  Recent budget projections from WDVA and LFB indicated that the Veterans Trust Fund would experience a $3.7 million shortfall before the end of the 2011-13 biennium without legislative authorization.  Provided the provision passes in the final version of the budget, this would be the first infusion of GPR dollars into the Trust Fund since 1988.  The motion also requires that WDVA provide recommendations to the Legislature on adopting a viable long-term funding source for the Veterans Trust Fund by June 30, 2012.  For more info, see “Finance Committee Provides Cash Infusion to Veterans Trust Fund.” 

• Exemption from the Nursing Home Bed Assessment (Bed Tax) – JFC unanimously voted to continue the exemption from payment of the bed assessment for the Wisconsin Veterans Homes.  If the exemption were to be discontinued, private pay rates for members of the Homes would increase by $2,200 annually.

• Cost-Benefit Analysis Requirement Restored for Chippewa Falls – JFC unanimously adopted a motion to require the Department of Administration (DOA) to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for the purpose of identifying the most appropriate business model for the future operation of the Chippewa Falls Veterans Home.  The motion requires DOA to submit the results by February 1, 2012, or before WDVA enters into a contract, whichever occurs first.  The motion also requires that if the Department contracts out, the contract contain a performance guarantee that states that the Home shall maintain an overall star rating at least equal to four stars. 

JFC did not take action to provide at least one position authority required by federal law as a condition precedent to receiving federal funds.

• Funding for Military Funeral Honors Stipends – JFC unanimously voted to provide $68,900 GPR to ensure the availability of stipends for veterans service organizations for the remainder of the fiscal year.

• Contact Your State Legislators – Contact your State Legislators;

STATE VETERANS LEGISLATION:

• Legislature Passes Assembly Bill 96 and Senate Bill 97 (Appointment of WDVA Secretary; WDVA Board Composition and Powers) – On June 8, both the Assembly and the Senate passed AB 96 / SB 97, which gives the Governor the authority to appoint the WDVA Secretary and alters the composition and powers of the WDVA Board.  The Assembly passed AB 96 on a vote of 59 to 37 and the Senate passed SB 97 on a vote of 21 to 12.  The bill will now be sent to the Governor for his signature.

On May 19, Senator Joe Leibham officially introduced Senate Bill 97, which is identical to the amended version of AB 96 under Assembly Substitute Amendment 1.  On May 23, SB 97 received a public hearing before the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans & Military Affairs.  On May 31, the Senate Committee held an executive session and passed the bill on a vote of 5 to 2.  For more information on the public hearing and executive session, see the Record of Committee Proceedings for SB 97.

Under this bill, 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, the proposal transfers the direction and supervision of the Department from the Board to the Secretary.  Relating to the composition of the Board, this proposal expands the Board to nine members, one from each of Wisconsin’s eight congressional districts and one serving at large.  Finally, the proposal stipulates that all Board members must have served on active duty, but need not have served in any particular war or conflict.

• Governor Appoints and Senate Confirms New Board Members – On June 8, the State Senate approved the Governor’s appointment of Ben Collins, Al Richards, John Gaedke, and John Townsend to the WDVA Board.  The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans & Military Affairs approved the four nominees in an executive session on June 7:  see the record of committee proceedings on Ben Collins, Al Richards, John Gaedke, and John Townsend.

• Property Tax Credit Expansion to Surviving Spouses (SB 84 / AB 121) – On May 5, Representative Kevin Petersen introduced Assembly Bill 121, the Assembly companion to Senate Bill 84, which expands eligibility to the veterans property tax credit to surviving, unremarried spouses of veterans who died from a service-related disability and were eligible for federal Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).  AB 121 has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.  SB 84 is awaiting action before the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans & Military Affairs. 

• Track State Veterans Legislation – You can visit WDVA’s State Veterans Legislation – Key Bills webpage to track developments and gather additional information on state veterans legislation.  Also, you can sign up for the Wisconsin Legislative Notification Service toreceive automatic email alerts relating to legislative action on specific bills, committees, legislators and subject areas.

• Contact Your State Legislators – Contact your State Legislators

FEDERAL VETERANS LEGISLATION

• Senate Veterans Committee Chair Introduces “Hiring Heroes Act of 2011” (S. 951) – The Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Senator Patty Murray, introduced the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 (S. 951) on May 11.  The bill would implement a variety of practices to increase employment opportunities for veterans, including:

1.      Requiring preseparation job counseling to members whose discharge or release is anticipated;

2.      Instructing the VA Secretary and the Secretary of Labor to follow-up on the employment status of certain veterans;

3.      The provision of additional VA rehabilitation programs for certain veterans with service-connected disabilities; and

4.      The provision of VA grants to nonprofit organizations under a collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program for eligible veterans seeking employment.

For more details, see the Congressional Research Service summary of S. 951.  An estimate of the fiscal impact of the legislation has not yet been generated by the Congressional Budget Office.  The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, and similar legislation has been introduced in the House (HR 1941).

• Federal VA Response on the Interaction of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Wisconsin GI Bill – As reported previously, a section of the Post-9/11 GI Bill Improvements Act of 2010 (S. 3447, now Public Law 111-377) could create 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. 

After sending a letter to the federal VA and garnering unanimous support from the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation in ajoint letter, on April 26, WDVA received a response from the VA General Counsel stating that the VA does not intend to compel use of the Wisconsin GI Bill prior to use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill (i.e. the Wisconsin GI Bill will maintain its place as the payer of last resort).  While the response does not state what the intended rules look like and how the VA will interpret them, this is a positive statement of intent, and the Department is encouraged that this reiteration of the VA’s intentions sets a standard and implicates a future policy that will be favorable for Wisconsin veterans.  Accordingly, the Department is thankful to the VA and the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation for their special attention to this matter, and WDVA looks forward to continuing its work with its federal partners to ensure that the final language treats Wisconsin veterans fairly.

• Track Federal Veterans Legislation – You can visit WDVA’s Federal Veterans Legislation – Key Bills webpage to track developments and gather more information on federal legislation specific to Wisconsin veterans. 

• Contact Your Federal Legislators – Contact your Federal Lawmakers

For additional updates and information on the veterans budget and veterans legislation, visit www.WisVets.com/Legislation.  Otherwise please don’t hesitate to contact our office 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