Back on February 4, Bluestem noted in the post McLeod vets' needs require second county officer; Republican bills cut veterans programs:
On the county level, the county veterans service officer is the latter's best first hope, a staff person to guide them through the state and federal programs a more-or-less grateful nation provides to those who give their time to serving the country.
So what is the Republican majority in the Minnesota legislature doing about this increased need?
Why, cutting money for county veterans services offices.
On January 27, the Star Tribune reported in $1 billion in cuts passes first test:
. . .DFLers said cutting that money would hurt veterans, soldiers and college students most. Targets could include a state soldiers assistance program, which provides emergency financial aid to veterans, along with money for county veterans service officers. . . .[emphasis added]
Today, Senate DFLers asked to send the conference committee report for HF130 sent back so that a slight changecould be made to the language, a change that would ensure that veterans' programs would not be put on the chopping block.
Not a single Republican voted to protect veterans' programs. The DFL Senate Caucus has posted video from the floor debate:
Perhaps I should contact my state senator's legislative aide about his vote. That'll do it. Yeah, given Senator Newman's "Bus Dumping" Prowess, I'm sure he'll get my message.
Meanwhile, what will we say to Minnesota's veterans? To State Senator John Harrington's son, a member of the Red Bulls?
What promise can the GOP caucus give to vets that they couldn't put in writing?
Update: Governor Dayton vetoed the bill. His reasons are stated here.
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