Friends and neighbors,
On Wednesday, April 17, hundreds of Minnesota Veterans visited the Capitol for the annual Veterans Day on the Hill march and rally. Our Veterans put aside their safety to preserve the freedoms we enjoy each and every day. We truly owe so much to these brave men and women. Thank you for your service and advocacy!
Fittingly, the Senate passed its Veterans omnibus bill this week. Supporting our Veterans and services should never be partisan, and with the legislation’s strong bipartisan support, I am grateful to see this tradition continue.
This legislation reaffirms our state’s commitment to our Veterans and military members, and
a highlight of the bill is the creation of the Referral Bonus Program. This new program will provide bonuses for referrals that lead to enlistment in the Minnesota National Guard, and it is another tool for recruitment and retention. To note, the bill does not require the program’s implementation, it simply authorizes the Minnesota National Guard to implement the program to assist in recruitment efforts. A handful of other states have successfully launched similar state-funded programs.
Additionally, the Senate Veterans omnibus allows the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to plan for a new Veterans Cemetery in Bemidji. Our Minnesota Veterans and their families should have the option to be laid to rest close to home, and this provision addresses the current cemetery gap in Northwest Minnesota. Right now, state cemeteries exist in Little Falls, Duluth, Preston, and Redwood Falls, with additional national cemeteries in Fort Snelling and Fargo. The goal of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is to provide 95% of Veterans with a burial option within 75 miles of their home, and this legislation allows the process to advance.
Other notable sections of this legislation include:
- Lifting that cap on funding that counties can appropriate for Memorial Day and Veterans Day exercises.
- Authorizing the Commissioner of Veterans Affairs to operate a central pharmacy to better serve the needs of Veterans home residents.
Working on behalf of our Veterans, military members and their families is always a top priority for me, and I am pleased to see the Senate continue our bipartisan work to support our service members.
Contact My Office
Please feel free to reach out to my office with any concerns or ideas you may have. I will keep your thoughts and concerns in mind as legislation comes before me. You can contact my office at sen.bruce.anderson@mnsenate.gov or 651-296-5981.
Sincerely,
Bruce Anderson