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State Representative John Persell
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-5516
For more information contact: Jessica Nyman 651-296-8877
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GOP Refuses to Advance Veterans Bill in Legislature
St. Paul, MN – Today, State Representative John Persell (DFL – Bemidji) presented a motion on the house floor to re-refer his bill, HF 2934, a veteran’s affair bill from the House State Government Finance Committee to the Ways and Means Committee. The bill had been stalled in the committee process. With important veterans measures found in this bill and committee deadlines approaching, Rep. Persell believed it was important to move this bill along expeditiously.
“The provisions outlined in my bill include additional funding for county veterans service offices and the Minnesota GI Bill," said Rep. Persell. “We have high volumes of veterans unemployed. Given all they have sacrificed on behalf of our country and our freedom, we should be doing all we can to ensure they have the tools needed to be successful when they return.”
HF 2934 reflects recommendations made by Governor Dayton and includes a $1.45 million appropriation to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, providing grants for multiple programs, such as the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, which addresses homelessness among veterans. Additionally it would fund an expansion of the Minnesota GI Bill, a program that provides educational assistance and job training for returning veterans. The expansion would be focused on administering new on-the-job training and apprenticeship programs. The bill also provides important funding for honor guards at the funerals of Minnesota veterans.
This morning, HF 2934 was heard in the House State Government Finance Committee and despite hearing testimony on the bill, the chair laid the bill over, deciding against taking action on the bill. DFL members attempted to move the bill out of the committee, progressing it through the legislative process, but these attempts were shot down on party line votes.
“As a veteran myself, I know how challenging the transition back to civilian life can be and the importance of honor guard recognition for our veterans,” said Rep. Persell. “Not only are the provisions in HF 2934 beneficial for our vets, but they’re smart for our state. The faster we can get veterans back to work and engaged in our communities, the better off our state is going to be.”
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News Items
- Rep. Persell: We Must Come Together to Help Citizens, Businesses Affected by Disaster - (Posted: 2012-08-16 00:00:00)
- Rep. Persell: Today’s Hearing an Important First Step - (Posted: 2012-08-07 00:00:00)
- Rep. Persell: Omnibus Tax Bill Exemplifies Irresponsible Budgeting - (Posted: 2012-05-01 00:00:00)
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