Dear Neighbors,
On Tuesday, I hosted a meeting at the American Legion in Morris with a number of veterans to discuss legislation passed the last two years that will benefit our veterans. I was joined at the meeting by Veterans Affairs Division Chair, Rep. Bob Dettmer.
Veterans issues are a topic at the Capitol that are truly non-partisan. Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, honoring the commitment to our veterans and making sure we honor their service and sacrifice is among the highest priorities of legislators in Saint Paul.
Here is just a few of the things we accomplished the last two years for our veterans:
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Excluded all military retirement pay from state income taxes
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Allowed active duty military members and their families to bypass the one-year wait and immediately qualify for higher education grants and scholarships
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Made it easier for National Guard members deployed by the Governor to vote
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Increased funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs and state veterans homes
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Provided funding for study of unmet mental health needs for Minnesota veterans
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Created a state-based veteran-owned small business certification program
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Established Military Spouses and Families Day to honor military families
As always, if you have questions regarding veteran related issues or any other topic related to state government, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can be reached by phone at 701-361-1909 or via email at rep.jeff.backer@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Jeff