The Minnesota Senate today approved a comprehensive veterans, state government, and transportation bill that includes legislation authored by Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) to provide additional funding for new construction projects at the veterans’ homes in Preston, Bemidji, and Montevideo, plus an enlistment and re-enlistment bonus program that retains and rewards active servicemembers. 

“The state’s three new veterans homes are going to enable us to provide well-deserved care to more veterans, and that is fantastic news,” Miller said. “We have a duty to provide the highest level of care that we can to those who answered the nation’s call. This bill will allow us to fulfill our commitment to Minnesota’s veterans.”

“I am grateful for the engagement from local officials from the city of Preston, Fillmore County, veterans groups, and countless volunteers who continue to make sure we are supporting as many people as we can,” Miller added. “This bipartisan effort is a wonderful way to honor our veterans and their families.”

The bill provides $26 million to be divided between the Preston home, the Bemidji home, and the Montevideo home for the design, construction, and equipping of site and building improvements that were not funded through the initial appropriation. 

The legislature originally approved funding for three new veterans’ homes in Preston, Montevideo, and Bemidji in the 2018 bonding bill. The federal government authorized nearly $80 million in funding for its share of the projects in March of 2021, but due to the gap in the timeline, certain important projects had to be removed in order to meet the original budget. Miller’s bill would allow those projects to be completed. 

Groundbreaking for the Preston home took place in August of 2021, and it is slated to open in the summer of 2023.

The bill also provides $4 million to the Department of Military of Affairs to offer enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses for Guard and Reserve members. Over the last 2 years our Guard members have stepped up to help with civil unrest, natural disasters, and provide critical support for COVID response, and these dollars will help us keep our Guard enlistment numbers sufficient to the needs of Minnesotans and recognize the service of those members re-enlisting. 

The legislation now awaits action by the House of Representatives.