VFW WI Legislative Updates

LEGISLATIVE REPORT FOR STATE OF WISCONSIN

Posted at 9:46 AM on Friday, January 16, 2009 by Legislative

 

As we begin a new session of our State Legislature , we face significant financial issues.

The State faces a projected budget deficit of some five billion dollars.  This means that we must remain vigilant if we are to maintain the current benefits offered by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

We are also facing a steady decline in the numbers of senators and assemblymen who have experienced some form of military service.

Most legislators want to do the right thing.  However their unfamiliarity with our issues means constituents who are veterans need to make special efforts  to educate legislators.  We must outline both the problems and the solutions for them.

The leaders of both parties have determined the membership of the veterans committees in the Senate and the Assembly.  Our good friend, Terry Musser, has retired and is no longer head of the Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

There are no changes to the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs, Biotechnology and Financial Institutions.  Jim Sullivan chairs the Committee with Spencer Coggs, Tim Carpenter, Joseph Leibham and Ted Kanavas as members.  Senator Jim Sullivan is the only veteran on the committee.

There are significant changes to the Assembly Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.  The new chair is Steve Hilgenberg with Marlin Schneider, Robert Turner, Mary Hubler, Christine Sinicki, Nick Milroy, Kevin Petersen, Jerry Petrowski, John Townsend, and Dan Meyer as members.     

Chairman Hilgenberg and Dan Meyer as US Army veterans of the Vietnam era.  Assemblymen Turner, Petersen and Townsend are VFW members.  Assemblyman Milroy is a Persian Gulf War veteran, while Assemblyman Petrowski is a veteran of the US Army Reserve.  

I look forward to renewing old acquaintances and meeting new committee members  as we work together to make Wisconsin a better place for veterans to live.