Fiscal Year 2014 Budget – Veteran's Services & Soldiers' Homes

In case you missed it, today marks the second day of debate on the House Ways & Means Fiscal Year 2014 Budget.

As you may have heard, the House of Representatives recently unveiled their $33.8 billion state budget proposal. While the budget presented to the Legislature includes significantly less spending then Governor Patrick’s budget proposal, the House’s plan relies too heavily on revenue found in the recently passed transportation finance bill, and House Republicans will continue to oppose this fiscally irresponsible approach.

Tonight’s debate will now shift its focus to amendments relative to veteran’s services and soldiers' homes. Below, you will find the amendments offered by House Republicans, along with a brief description of the amendment.

Veteran's Services and Soldiers' Homes

Amendment 12 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $50K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for war memorials. Increases the overall appropriation by $50K.

Amendment 13 - An Act Relative to Veteran War Memorials in Wenham (Hill, Bradford) Earmarks $10K from the Veterans' Services Administration and Operations account (1410-0010) for the construction of the Wenham War Memorial. Increases the overall appropriation by $10K.

Amendment 459 - An Amendment to the Worcester Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial Upkeep (Fattman, Ryan) Assumed intent is to CHANGE the inside language of the Department of Veterans Services’ (DVS) Agawam and Winchendon Veterans Cemeteries account (1410-0630) to authorize DVS to expend funds in this account for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Worcester, which is historically funded by DVS Administration and Operations account (1410-0010).

Amendment 474 - NEADS Assistance Dogs (Ferguson, Kimberly) Earmarks $85K in the Department of Veterans Services' Administration account (1410-0010) to train 3 assistance dogs for veterans. Does not increase the overall appropriation.

Amendment 730 - Veteran Service Organization Grant (Durant, Peter) Adds $500K to the total budget appropriations by creating a new Veterans Service Organization Grants account (1410-xxxx) within the Department of Veterans’ Services for matching grants to the local American legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or similar organization for capital improvements provided that each organization commit to matching funds received as a grant.

Amendment 771 – To Create a Partnership Between the Department of Veterans Services and the Office of Labor and Workforce Development for the Administration of the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program (Winslow, Daniel) Adds a new outside section requiring the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to delegate administrative oversight of the veterans’ workforce investment program to the Department of Veterans’ Services.