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State Representative Tom Hackbarth
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-2439
For more information contact: Austin Bleess 651-296-5529
NEWS COLUMN
HONORING VETERANS IS MORE THAN A ONCE A YEAR OPPORTUNITY
By Tom Hackbarth
State Representative
Veterans Day is always a reminder of the every day American Heroes who live next door or down the street from us. These heroes have given much for our country. Many have spent time away from their families, fighting the enemy over seas while protecting our freedoms here. These Veterans from World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the Gulf war, to the current war deserve our thanks and our praise.
While there is a single day set aside each year to honor these Veterans I truly believe we should be honoring them every day of the year. I have always supported many benefits for all of Minnesota’s Veterans. In fact this year I was proud to vote to increase the Minnesota GI Bill which provides more tuition assistance to our Veterans. But they still deserve more.
Recently Governor Pawlenty has proposed a set of 35 Veterans Initiatives that would be a way for Minnesota, as a state, to honor our veterans all year long. The main initiative, which I have supported for years, is to exempt military pay and pensions from the Minnesota state income tax. Our military men and women have paid us back by defending our freedom; we don’t need to tax them for that. By providing this exemption it would save veterans approximately $25 million a year, when the program is fully implemented.
Another great service that is part of the Governors’ initiatives is a program called LinkVET linkage line. This program, which would receive $220,000 under the Governors’ proposal, is a toll-free number which veterans can use to connect with veteran services officers that can help veterans and their families with an array of services such as benefits. This funding will continue the operation of the vital toll-free hotline service, including program software, crisis connection contract, staffing, and training. As our veterans transition from soldier to citizen these services are vital to have in place.
Another initiative is one that would help soldiers receive work. If enacted into law, Businesses owned by veterans would be included as a preferred group by the state in awarding state contracts. This would provide jobs for veterans and would benefit the state by creating more jobs.
These are just a small sampling of the 35 initiatives the Governor presented that I will strongly support when the legislature reconvenes in February. If you are interested in reading more about the Governor’s proposal and seeing a full list of the initiatives please visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs website at www.mdva.state.mn.us or by calling them at 651-296-2562. As always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions on legislative issues. You can reach me at rep.tom.hackbarth@house.mn or 651.296.2439. Mail should be sent to Rep. Tom Hackbarth, 209 State Office Building, 100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155.
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