As Memorial Day approaches, let’s honor Iowa’s heroes. Although Memorial Day is officially a time to remember those who gave their lives for our country, it is also a good time to remember those who served our nation and thank those still serving today.
During the three terms I’ve served in the legislature, I’ve been proud to work with my colleagues in a bi-partisan manner to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans and military families.
Several of Iowa’s veteran programs and efforts have proven successful. As an example, in 2012, we provided tuition grants to National Guard members and airmen to attend college at a state university, community college, or an Iowa private college. We should be proud of Iowa’s successes in providing support and benefits to veterans.
However, a number of veterans programs fail to accomplish their mission for one reason or another. Improper funding and bureaucratic roadblocks are often to blame. We cannot truly honor those who have fallen or served if we simply accept the status-quo. This session we’ve made some progress.
As an example, last year a disabled veterans’ homestead property tax exemption was signed into law. It was for veterans rated as 100 percent disabled. This was good, but not good enough as some veterans were denied when the exemption was implemented. This year, I worked in a bi-partisan manner to increase eligibility for the credit. Our efforts were successful. The eligibility criteria has been expanded and more disabled veterans will be served. Now eligibility criteria is determined by permanent and total disability ratings based on individual employability, compensated at the 100 percent disability rate as certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Most veterans who applied last year, but were denied, will be eligible now.
In addition, the Legislature passed a consumer protection bill for veterans. Private providers of services for veterans are required to disclose that benefits are free through federally chartered veteran service organizations and by county commission of veteran affairs offices.
Again, we’ve made some progress this year. But we are far from done. We must improve funding at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, especially to care for those suffering from severe PTSD. We also need to boost funding for the Veterans Trust Fund. I’ll continue to work in a bi-partisan manner to honor those who’ve served our nation. We simply cannot accept the status-quo as good enough for Iowa’s heroes, and we must never go back to the days when few said thank you to our vets.
If you are a veteran in need of assistance, call me at home anytime, 641-521-9260. I’ll help you find solutions and support. I can also be reached by email at dan.kelley@legis.iowa.gov.
We’re now in our third week of overtime this session. Instead of breaking the gridlock on school funding, the house majority party voted down a fair 2.625 percent compromise on necessary inflationary adjustment to school budgets for the 2015-16 school year, and then actually lowered their offer for the 2016-2017 school year. This unfortunate move means the gridlock will continue into June and schools will continue to lay off teachers because of the budget uncertainty.
I’ll be working at the Capitol every day during the extension to end the gridlock on school funding. Partisan bickering is unacceptable. We must put our kids first.