Vets' money transfer on fast track
UPDATE: Off the fast track?The Assembly Veterans Committee chaired by Rep. Gabe Loeffelholz, R-Platteville, took no action Tuesday on a plan to transfer millions of dollars from the vets'nursing home in King. AB 1034 that would allow the transfer of money - up to $16 million - that could be invested for the future at the King Home to the trust fund account was suspended in freeze frame while GOP legislative leaders decide what to do about the measure. No executive action was taken and no amendments are pending.
-- By Gary Fisher:
A high-speed transfer of $16 million from the vets' nursing home at King in Waupaca County to the account of the Veterans Trust Fund is set for a committee vote Tuesday.
The executive session takes place Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Veterans Affairs Committee chaired by Rep. Terry Musser, R-Black River Falls.
Just introduced and fast-tracked, Assembly Bill 1034 would allow the transfer of money that could be invested for the future at the King Home to the trust fund account. The original draft of the bill stated an amount of $16 million to be transferred.
The measure would have to pass in both houses and then be signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle.
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs hasn't provided documents pertaining to the financial performance of King Home or the accounting reasons why the planned transfer of millions from the nursing home to the trust fund is such an urgent necessity. Nor has it provided documents to show why the King Home has a cash surplus to bail out the trust fund.
Whatever the reasons for the transfer, 23 senators and 89 representatives overwhelmingly support the legislation.
The bill would also exempt certain vets from UW System and technical college tuition and fees, ensure eligibility for reduced tuition fees for surviving spouses that haven't remarried, and the children of certain deceased veterans, and increase IT staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The committee is also set to act on SB 436, a college reenrollment and registration priority for those called into active military duty and AB 164 that would exempt a military death gratuity payment from taxation.
The Veterans Affairs Board meets Tuesday and Wednesday this week at the state Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Madison. On Tuesday it's Salute to the Legislature at Monona Terrace.
Meanwhile, board member holdout Kathy Marschman, whose term was over May 1, 2005, still blocks Rod Moen from succeeding her on the board, and Republican Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz hasn't scheduled action for a floor vote on Moen's confirmation. Gov. Jim Doyle appointed Moen last year to serve a six-year term, but Marschman has refused to resign even though her term ended, so Moen can't take the seat until the Republican State Senate confirms him, which it seems unwilling to do.
Board member Don Heiliger's term on the board also ended at the same time as Marschman's last year, however, the governor has yet to appoint a replacement
for him.
posted by xoff @ 6:11 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Mr. Xoff,
I’m going to call my comments the FISHER WATCH. Why? Using your own words (about Jessica McBride), “Because he makes it so damned easy!”
Quiz question of the day, kids: Who is the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs?
Answer: Rep. Gabe Loeffeholz, NOT Terry Musser! Sorry Gary. Another missed fact – Dang it!
Let’s not start crying about picking on Gary Fisher and sticking to issues. Don’t insult my intelligence and tell me that you always subscribe to that same dictum, Mr. Xoff!
Who is this Gary Fisher that only writes about annoying conspiracy theories? Does he have anything better to do than write endless stories about Veterans Affairs? What is his real agenda? He never does elaborate on that. Makes one wonder…
While Gary Fisher continues his tirade about how this legislation is filled with crap, he completely ignores that the legislation is aimed at strengthening the solvency of the trust fund. That is good for veterans. He also ignores that increasing tuition remission from 50% - 100% would be an absolute victory for veterans whom deserve this great benefit. Only a clear majority of legislators agree. But what do they know? According to Gary Fisher's logic, they are all wrong.
Instead, Gary Fisher prefers to write about crime and corruption. Don’t take my word for it. Read this article again as well as others posted by him!
Gary Fisher’s articles always show “no evidence of wrongdoing, but plenty of innuendo in coverage.” Sound familiar, Mr. Xoff? That is what you said regarding Doyle’s donations that preceded the sale of a nuclear plant.
Mr. Xoff also said this awhile ago about Gary Fisher:
“I don't know Gary Fisher or his politics. I know him only from his byline as a former WisPolitics reporter. When he told me about the story, I agreed to give him an outlet for it.”
Using Gary Fisher’s own words (when he demeaned the WDVA Public Affairs Director recently):
“Oh. Right.”
Gary – why are you a FORMER WisPolitics reporter? Why don’t you have your own column posted here?
Hmmmm…maybe lack of credibility?
89 Assemblymen? Holy cow! Talk about success! Can we get a list of these 89 sponsors? Wow! Who were the 10 missing from that list? We need to track them down and get them onboard!
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