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State Representative Kathy Brynaert
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-3248
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
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HOUSE PASSES BILL TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR RETURNING VETS
ST. PAUL – In consideration of the nearly 3,000 Minnesota service members who will be returning home in the coming year, the Minnesota House of Representatives today passed a bill that significantly increases the support they will receive as they re-adjust to civilian life.
The bill, which was part of the Omnibus Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Bill, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 131-2.
"Our state currently has the largest deployment of National Guard and service members since World War II, the vast majority in Iraq or Afghanistan," said Brynaert. "As they return home, we owe it to them to have enough resources available to them so they can more easily reintegrate."
Highlights of the veterans' initiatives in the bill include:
· Funding for suicide prevention and psychological support for returning combat veterans.
· A 14 percent increase in funding for the State Soldier Assistance Program.
· Increased funding for Veterans County Service Officer assistance grants to enhance programs provided to veterans.
· Increased funding for Veteran's outreach, including tribal veterans service offices.
· Extension of education benefits for the spouses of soldiers killed in action.
· Assistance for WWII memorial celebration (June 9th).
"This bill is a bipartisan effort to honor and support our men and women who have served their country in the Armed Forces," Brynaert said. "This was reflected in the overwhelming support for the bill."
News Items
- 2013 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 3:59PM)
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-05-24 00:00:00)
- 2012 SESSION UPDATE - (Posted: 2012-05-09 00:00:00)
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