Times-Journal - Fort Payne, AL, USA
By Jared Felkins
The Times-Journal
Published February 20, 2009
Sen. Lowell Barron led the effort in the state Senate Thursday to honor Alabama's veterans, not only recognizing their sacrifice for our country but also helping to pass several bills to assist them.
Barron arranged for the “Veterans’ Day at the Legislature” to give state lawmakers the opportunity to thank them for their service.
The Senate passed several bills to honor veterans, including authorizing the display of POW-MIA flags at state buildings, parks and rest areas; exempting retired soldiers from license taxes and registration fees for one car; allowing spouses of retired military personnel or reservists to receive the distinctive tag for retired military; and streamlining the payment process for residents in state veteran homes.
“These bills are our contribution to you, but they pale in comparison to the contributions you have made to us and our country,” said Sen. Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe. “We stand here in the freest nation on earth, not by accident, but by will, determination, hard work and sacrifice of the outstanding men and women in our armed services. You are the shining examples of what makes America so great.”
Thursday’s passage of bills is in addition to veteran legislation passed earlier in this year's session. The Senate Democratic Caucus also expanded the education benefits of children and spouses of those killed, disabled or missing in action in the line of duty. This bill gives these spouses and children free tuition, fees and books at any college, university or trade school in Alabama for five years, an increase of one year over current Alabama law.
“This was the first time in my tenure we have had a veterans day in the Legislature,” said retired Rear Admiral Clyde Marsh, director of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. “It was a reflection of tremendous respect and concern by our elected representatives. Above all, good legislation was passed to improve conditions for the veterans of Alabama. We owe a debt of thanks to Sen. Barron for arranging the day and leading efforts on the senate floor.”
Fort Payne’s Charles Stephens said he is proud to see the Senate pass these bills.
“This is legislation we’ve needed, especially for the veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Stephens, who is the current convention chairman for the state Veterans of Foreign Affairs.
Stephens said the group is now concentrating its efforts on getting the bills passed through the House of Representatives. He also expressed gratitude for the veterans day at the Legislature.
“We appreciate what Sen. Barron did on this event, and the recognition for veterans all over the state,” he said.
The Senate Democratic Caucus also passed legislation creating a new car tag for veterans of Operation Freedom Iraqi and Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. That bill passed the Senate last week and now goes to the house.
“These soldiers and their families give the ultimate sacrifice to our country,” Barron said. “They take care of us and we should take care of them. So many times, the finances of these families are decimated, and we must ensure they have the money available to attend the state college or university of their choice.”
Showing posts with label Legislation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Legislation. Show all posts
20 February 2009
15 December 2008
Scholarships Available For Children Of Veterans
Asheville Citizen-Times - NC, USA
Ashley Wilson • AWilson@CITIZEN-TIMES.com
published December 15, 2008 3:16 pm
ASHEVILLE – The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs is reminding high school seniors of the ongoing state scholarship program for children of certain disabled, deceased or POW/MIA veterans.
The scholarships may be used at schools located in North Carolina that are state-owned institutions of higher education, community college and technical institutions or privately-owned, nonprofit colleges and universities.
Scholarships, with one exception, provide free tuition, certain fees and a reasonable room and board allowance in state-owned institutions and $4,500 per academic year in private institutions.
The exception being that awards under the 100 percent service-connected disability provision provide free tuition and certain fees in state-owned institutions and $1,500 per academic year in private institutions. All awards are for four academic years in duration which must be used within eight years from the date of award.
Interested persons are urged to contact their local County Veterans Service Officer or the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, 71 Turtle Creek Dr. Asheville or 274-5559 for more detailed information, advice and assistance with an application.
Call Ashley at 828-232-5856 or e-mail AWilson@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.
Ashley Wilson • AWilson@CITIZEN-TIMES.com
published December 15, 2008 3:16 pm
ASHEVILLE – The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs is reminding high school seniors of the ongoing state scholarship program for children of certain disabled, deceased or POW/MIA veterans.
The scholarships may be used at schools located in North Carolina that are state-owned institutions of higher education, community college and technical institutions or privately-owned, nonprofit colleges and universities.
Scholarships, with one exception, provide free tuition, certain fees and a reasonable room and board allowance in state-owned institutions and $4,500 per academic year in private institutions.
The exception being that awards under the 100 percent service-connected disability provision provide free tuition and certain fees in state-owned institutions and $1,500 per academic year in private institutions. All awards are for four academic years in duration which must be used within eight years from the date of award.
Interested persons are urged to contact their local County Veterans Service Officer or the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, 71 Turtle Creek Dr. Asheville or 274-5559 for more detailed information, advice and assistance with an application.
Call Ashley at 828-232-5856 or e-mail AWilson@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.
10 December 2008
Hottinger Pushes For Veterans Bonuses Despite Budget Woes
The Newark Advocate - Newark, OH, USA
By AMY HOLLON • Advocate Reporter • December 10, 2008
NEWARK — An Ohio House bill introduced by Rep. Jay Hottinger could soon be providing bonuses to veterans of recent wars.
“The state of Ohio for all of our recent major conflicts has always provided a military bonus for our recent military conflicts. No one is in disagreement that these veterans are deserving of this,” Hottinger said.
But in a time when the state government is facing drastic cutbacks in a sour economy, the bill is expected to cost $106 million, according to Hottinger. The resolution will allow up to $200 million, however.
Hottinger said the cost was not fixed because veterans are still serving.
A similar bill was passed in the Senate earlier this year but stalled in the House because it proposed taking out bonds, which would have to be paid back later, to pay for the expenditure. Hottinger’s bill instead proposes paying up front with money from a budget stabilization fund or rainy day account.
The expenditure is an appropriate use of the account, he said, because it is a one-time purchase. It would be inappropriate to use it on the operating budget because that is a repeat expenditure.
“This is a very important issue but it’s part of a broader philosophical discussion we continue to have,” Hottinger said. “Living way beyond our means is not something that should be acceptable of anybody and certainly not government. It is always cheaper to pay for things today rather than putting it on your charge card.”
If passed, the bill will award veterans of the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars $100 for each month he or she served, up to $1,000 each. Veterans who served during that time period elsewhere in the world would be awarded $50 per month, up to $500 each. The families of those who were killed in action or are missing in action would be awarded $5,000.
“These numbers have been indexed for inflation and they are in line with what previous veterans have received,” Hottinger said.
Hottinger said the bill continues a tradition of giving back to veterans in Ohio.
“Our veterans deserve this award for their commitment to our country and the ideals on which our nation, and state, is founded and the sacrifices they have made,” Hottinger said in a press release. “This is a small token of our appreciation that we have given to veterans since World War I, and it is important that this tradition continue.”
The bill was voted Tuesday out of the House Finance and Appropriations committee, which Hottinger chairs, on a straight party-line vote.
Hottinger said Gov. Ted Strickland has said he will veto the bill because it draws from the budget stabilization account.
Amy Hollon can be reached at (740) 328-8543 or ahollon@newarkadvocate.com.
By AMY HOLLON • Advocate Reporter • December 10, 2008
NEWARK — An Ohio House bill introduced by Rep. Jay Hottinger could soon be providing bonuses to veterans of recent wars.
“The state of Ohio for all of our recent major conflicts has always provided a military bonus for our recent military conflicts. No one is in disagreement that these veterans are deserving of this,” Hottinger said.
But in a time when the state government is facing drastic cutbacks in a sour economy, the bill is expected to cost $106 million, according to Hottinger. The resolution will allow up to $200 million, however.
Hottinger said the cost was not fixed because veterans are still serving.
A similar bill was passed in the Senate earlier this year but stalled in the House because it proposed taking out bonds, which would have to be paid back later, to pay for the expenditure. Hottinger’s bill instead proposes paying up front with money from a budget stabilization fund or rainy day account.
The expenditure is an appropriate use of the account, he said, because it is a one-time purchase. It would be inappropriate to use it on the operating budget because that is a repeat expenditure.
“This is a very important issue but it’s part of a broader philosophical discussion we continue to have,” Hottinger said. “Living way beyond our means is not something that should be acceptable of anybody and certainly not government. It is always cheaper to pay for things today rather than putting it on your charge card.”
If passed, the bill will award veterans of the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars $100 for each month he or she served, up to $1,000 each. Veterans who served during that time period elsewhere in the world would be awarded $50 per month, up to $500 each. The families of those who were killed in action or are missing in action would be awarded $5,000.
“These numbers have been indexed for inflation and they are in line with what previous veterans have received,” Hottinger said.
Hottinger said the bill continues a tradition of giving back to veterans in Ohio.
“Our veterans deserve this award for their commitment to our country and the ideals on which our nation, and state, is founded and the sacrifices they have made,” Hottinger said in a press release. “This is a small token of our appreciation that we have given to veterans since World War I, and it is important that this tradition continue.”
The bill was voted Tuesday out of the House Finance and Appropriations committee, which Hottinger chairs, on a straight party-line vote.
Hottinger said Gov. Ted Strickland has said he will veto the bill because it draws from the budget stabilization account.
Amy Hollon can be reached at (740) 328-8543 or ahollon@newarkadvocate.com.
19 November 2008
Scholarships Available For Children Of Combat Vets
Shelby Star - Shelby, NC, USA
Scholarships available for children of combat vets
Wednesday, Nov 19 2008, 9:11 am
Star staff
The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs is sponsoring an ongoing state scholarship program for children of certain disabled, deceased, POW/MIA, recipients of the Purple Heart Medal or certain combat veterans.
The scholarships must be used at schools located in North Carolina, which are privately owned, non-profit colleges and universities or state owned institutions of higher education, community colleges and technical institutes.
Scholarships provide free tuition, certain fees and room and board allowances in state owned institutions. The scholarships provide $4,500 per academic year in private institutions. All awards are for four academic years and must be used within 8 years from the date of the award.
Applicants must be under 25 years of age at the time of application. Competitive scholarship applications must be received by March 1, 2009.
POW/MIA applications are taken at anytime.
For more information, call Carol McCraw at the Cleveland County Veterans Services Office, 704-484-4803.
Scholarships available for children of combat vets
Wednesday, Nov 19 2008, 9:11 am
Star staff
The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs is sponsoring an ongoing state scholarship program for children of certain disabled, deceased, POW/MIA, recipients of the Purple Heart Medal or certain combat veterans.
The scholarships must be used at schools located in North Carolina, which are privately owned, non-profit colleges and universities or state owned institutions of higher education, community colleges and technical institutes.
Scholarships provide free tuition, certain fees and room and board allowances in state owned institutions. The scholarships provide $4,500 per academic year in private institutions. All awards are for four academic years and must be used within 8 years from the date of the award.
Applicants must be under 25 years of age at the time of application. Competitive scholarship applications must be received by March 1, 2009.
POW/MIA applications are taken at anytime.
For more information, call Carol McCraw at the Cleveland County Veterans Services Office, 704-484-4803.
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