More funding sought for tuition costs for military, vets homes expenses

The state’s military personnel scholarships, veterans programs and cemeteries are becoming more and more expensive to Minnesota taxpayers.

Lawmakers on Thursday continued sorting through Dayton’s budget recommendations for the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs, prodding department officials for further information and whittling down precise concerns. The House State Government Finance Committee took no action on the budget.

House Photography file photo

The Veterans Affairs Department is asking the Legislature for a $5.26 million increase in spending, with $2 million expected to be a one-time request to repair and maintain its current infrastructure, including its five veterans homes. An additional, continuous $1 million would aid the department’s staffing and maintenance for the forthcoming Duluth-based cemetery.

A 10 to 15 percent staff shortage is driving longer wait times, and it’s also increasing overtime expenses, veterans department officials said.

“We’re having some issues we’re working through,” agency chief of staff Mike McElhiney added. “Staffing is one of them and I’ll leave it at that.”

Current military personnel seeking tuition reimbursement is a major projected budget-driver for the military department, executive director Don Kerr said. His agency is asking for an $11.54 million increase to meet ongoing financial “education benefit” needs.

The federal government changed eligibility requirements for the 9/11 GI scholarship, Kerr said, and it’s “effectively removing (military-students) from eligibility.” In response, the state’s tuition reimbursement is skyrocketing.

Without the increases, the department warns, an estimated 1,900 service members’ tuition reimbursement could be affected and some 1,523 military personnel’s bonus incentive could get hit. It would also impact retention and increase the number of facilities with a “poor” condition rating if the department transfers money from its maintenance fund to aid personnel.