Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC)

Governor McDonnell Highlights Legislation Focused on Making Virginia America's Most Veteran-Friendly State

In a ceremonial signing ceremony, Governor Bob McDonnell on 29 April 2010 highlighted 27 pieces of legislation approved by the 2010 General Assembly, signaling his commitment to make Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in America. The Governor was joined on the South Portico of the Virginia Capitol by Paul Galanti, Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services, Major General Bob Newman, Commander of the National Guard, and Delegate Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), as well as other bill patrons and veterans.

The Governor served 21 years active duty and reserve in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1997. His oldest daughter, Jeanine, also served in the Army, including a one-year tour of duty in Iraq.

Earlier today, Governor McDonnell hosted Iraq War Veteran and Paralympics athlete, Heath Calhoun, at the Executive Mansion in celebration of the coming weekend's Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway, which will carry his name.

Speaking about the legislation, Governor McDonnell commented, "In 1789, George Washington said, 'The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.' The same holds true today-the more than 830,000 veterans who call Virginia home deserve the absolute best. They have put their lives on the line abroad for our freedom here at home and I intend to make Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in the country. As promised during the campaign, I have directed the Commissioner of the Department of Veterans to develop a Veterans Bill of Rights. By working with veterans groups, Commissioner Galanti will identify the needs of veterans and their families and ensure that those needs are met."

The Governor continued, "This tough economy has had a significant impact on veterans. I've asked the Virginia Employment Commission, in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Services and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, to establish the Veterans Skills Database. Free to both veterans and employers, this database will help market and promote the workforce skills of our veterans. In an effort to return more money to their pocketbooks, I support the state constitutional amendment to provide real estate tax exemption for veterans with 100% service-connected disability. In addition, when applying for a small business permit through the one-stop business permitting program, we will waive certain fees for veterans giving them a greater opportunity to positively impact our economy."

Governor McDonnell also noted, "The American flag is a symbol of our freedom and democracy. There is bipartisan consensus to protect a Virginian's right to fly the American flag on his/her property. In addition, I am designating the Honor and Remember Flag as the Commonwealth's emblem of service and sacrifice by the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, who have given their lives in the line of duty. Three of our most recent wars, the Global War on Terrorism, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, will now be recognized on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. It is important to remember and honor all of our veterans, as well as those who gave the ultimate sacrifice."

Finally, the Governor concluded, "All of the legislation recognized today will take us a step further and ensure our veterans are receiving our gratitude and thanks when they return home. I thank all the patrons for their acknowledgement of the great sacrifice our veterans have made. The overwhelming bipartisan support of our veterans strikes the right tone that I look to build upon. I look forward to working with our veterans and their families during my administration so we can make Virginia the best state in America for veterans."

A prisoner of War in Vietnam, Commissioner Galanti said, "It's an honor to be able to continue to work with our veterans in this capacity. I know the Governor is extremely dedicated to this cause and I am eager to see it through. This legislation being signed today will further the goals and initiatives of this administration and I look forward to building upon them."

Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), concluded the event by saying, "I was proud to carry a number of veteran initiatives through the General Assembly this session. The Wounded Warrior program will now be expanded to cover mental health and rehabilitative services for Virginia veterans with stress-related injuries and traumatic brain injuries resulting from military service. Anyway that we can show our appreciation and give back to our veterans who gave so much to us is worth our time and our efforts."

The legislation signed by Governor McDonnell included several bills fulfilling priorities of the Virginia Council of Chapters – MOAA and the Virginia Joint Leadership Council. These included:

·       Constitutional amendment November ballot item to allow property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans,

·       Burial vaults at state-operated veterans cemeteries, and

·       An exemption for funds received from Virginia Military Family Relief Fund from income tax.

Governor McDonnell previously signed other legislation that covered other items on the VCOC and JLC list of objectives. These provide funding in the Department of Veterans Services FY11-FY12 Budget that included:

·    Continue level funding for the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP).

·    Provide funds to continue development of the Automated Claims Processing System.

·    Provide the necessary resources to open and operate the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery.

·    Provide funds for furniture, equipment, and operations at the Virginia War Memorial.

                                   GOVERNOR SIGNED VETERAN-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION       

On April 29, Gov. Bob McDonnell (a MOAA and Richmond Chapter member) signed a number of pieces of legislation addressing military community issues, several of which were 2010 JLC State Legislative Objectives. The event capped a highly successful program for the JLC and its 23 VSO’s and for our military families in Virginia. As many already know, of the 6 Objectives and 10 issues recommended by VCOC and the other VSO’s, the General Assembly and our Governor took positive action by making our objectives state law. At the signing event, Gov McDonnell signed the Constitutional change for Real Estate tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans and the referendum for the Nov. 2010 election to gain public approval of the exemption. On this point, it is essential that members “GET OUT THE VOTE”, not just their vote but to “spread the word” to family members, friends, fellow-workers, church members etc. Without public approval in Nov. nothing will have been gained for our disabled veterans after all the efforts of Delegate O’Bannon and Senator Toddy Puller in both the 2009 and 2010 sessions of the General Assembly plus the time/effort of JLC members and their VSO membership. So please ensure we  gain public approval with a large YES vote in Nov!! The Gov. also signed into law the elimination of tax (both Fed and State) on funds from the Military Family Relief Fund for emergency needs of families of deployed troops along with funding required to open, equip, operate and maintain the Paul and Phyllis Galanti Educational Center (named after yet another MOAA member and our new Commissioner of the Department of Veterans Services). Two Budget Amendments by our loyal Delegate Kirk Cox addressing both the Virginia Wounded Warrior program and the Automated Claims Processing System were also signed during the event. The Patrons of these issues were on hand to receive the signing pens and the appreciation of the attending veterans. Patrons included Delegate John O’Bannon, Chris Stolle and Senators Toddy Puller and Mark Herring to name just several Patrons of legislation to support the military. Two issues were not signed since Patron Carrico was unable to attend. His legislation addressed the new S.W. State Cemetery and the burial vaults not provided by the Fed at state cemeteries. The only Objective not passed was the one dealing with Military/Veteran Courts on which the JLC did not have sufficient details hence was not actively pushed during the 2010 session. In closing, again and very critical is to “GET OUT THE VOTE IN NOV ON THE TAX EXEMPT ISSUE FOR DISABLED VETS” Let’s not let these heroes be forgotten..WE OWE IT TO THEM!!!   

Regards, Don Kaiserman-VCOC Legislative Chair

10 May 2010