SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota House Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Division has announced the committee’s omnibus budget bill. The legislation includes $4.34 million in new funding for the state Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Military Affairs.
“We all have a responsibility to uphold our promises we’ve made to the brave Americans who have put on the uniform, and in my role as chair of this committee, I’ve put this at the forefront,” said the committee’s chair, Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls). “The work in our committee is totally bipartisan. I’m proud that we’ve worked together to assemble a budget that does right by those who are currently serving and those veterans who have previously made sacrifices for our nation.”
One of the main initiatives of the committee this session was the expansion of Veterans Courts and restorative justice practices. To that end, the bill includes new sentencing recommendations for veterans who have experienced PTSD or another service related disorder to refer them to treatment for substance abuse or mental health problems rather than jail or prison. Along with this, the bill includes $400,000 toward a Veterans Justice Grant Program to support veterans who fall into the criminal justice system.
Veterans Affairs section highlights:
- $544,000 operating adjustment for programs and services
- $775,000 operating adjustment for veterans’ cemeteries
- $500,000 toward expansion of the C.O.R.E (Counseling and Case Management, Outreach, Referral and Education) program to address veteran homelessness
- $150,000 toward a Minnesota Medal of Honor Commemorative Memorial to be built on the Capitol complex
- $100,000 for the Armed Forces Service Center at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport
- Ongoing funding for the state’s five veterans homes, soldier assistance programming, and GI Bill administration.
Military Affairs section highlights
- $1.75 million for enlistment and retention bonus programs
- $116,000 for reintegration programs for deployed service members
- Ongoing funding for maintenance at Camp Ripley and the Twin Cities and Duluth air bases
The committee will consider the bill in a public hearing Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in Room 120 of the State Capitol. A spreadsheet of the bill’s contents can be accessed here.