VFW State
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE JANUARY 10, 2011
BILL MANES, STATE VFW LEGISLATIVE CHAIRMAN
"Governor Brown released the first version of his State Budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 this date. He had stated in advance that many people would be unhappy with his proposals. You can add veterans to those who will be unhappy – very much so. The major shock is the proposal to eliminate all state funding to the Counties for support of the County Veterans Service Offices.
"The Governor has clearly stated his intention of transferring some state programs to the local governments, and particularly to the Counties. The withdrawal of support for the county veterans offices fits this pattern. The proposal also eliminates funding for Operation Welcome Home which was started, with much fanfare, by former Governor Schwarzenegger. This means elimination, not only of the increased funding for the County Offices, but also the new funding, estimated at $1 million, which was supposed to provide a capability for the Department of Veterans Affairs to contract with the Veteran Service Organizations.
"The total reduction in the State expenditures by this action is projected to be $9.9 million. There is no indication, at this time, what will happen to the funding increases which have already been approved for Fiscal Year 2010-2011. The Department of Veterans Affairs was supposed to issue a call for proposals to the veteran organizations in November but this seems to have been put on hold after the election. Elimination of this funding would be expected to result in the total closing of at least some of the County Veterans Service Offices across the State. Many of the offices have already experienced reductions in their funded positions this year. The County services were never mandated by the State and there always were those Counties that considered closing of the offices because the State funding was so low and the net County costs were significant.
"After many years of attempts by the veteran organizations to increase the state services to veterans, to help them obtain their federal benefits, there is definitely a threat of pushing this state into the dark ages in this area. The veteran organizations can be expected to make major efforts to restore the funding to the Counties. However, even if the Legislature’s Budget Committees could be convinced to oppose the Governor on this issue and put some funding in the Budget bill, the Governor could eliminate it with his line item veto authority. The Governor has also stated that there will be employee reductions throughout the state agencies, and salary reductions for those employees who may continue their employment. Actions such as these can be expected to have an adverse impact on the State Veterans Homes. The admissions to the Homes had already been curtailed under the previous State
Administration. The additional reductions would clearly continue the restrictions on admission of new residents.
"The total reduction in the General Fund Budget for the California Department of Veterans Affairs, from Fiscal Year 2009-2010 to the next year which starts July 1, 2011 is supposed to be $5.6 million, which would indicate that there are increases in some lines other than Veterans Services and Benefits. Additional details about the proposed Budget will be available in the near future as the Legislature’s Budget Committees introduce the actual legislation."
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