From the Halls ….

Budget ax hits veterans

Gov. Granholm’s recent emergency budget cuts $1 million of the $4 million to 11 state veterans organizations. The groups affected:

• American Legion: $226,500
• Disabled American Veterans: $187,200
• Marine Corps League: $86,000
• American Veterans of World War II and Korea: $118,700
• Veterans of Foreign Wars: $226,400
• Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America: $42,500
• Purple Heart: $40,400
• Polish Legion of American Veterans: $10,500
• Jewish Veterans of America: $10,500
• Vietnam Veterans of America: $40,800
• Catholic War Veterans: $10,500

“This message is priority and is being sent out to the entire eleven Departments we must have full support if we are to be successful.” (This has been sent to Phil and Warren MCL. The Legion will send out a mass e-mail and each other organization will disiminate through their information outlets.

Per our conversation today there will be a rally at the State Capital on Thursday the 21st 2009 starting at 3:30 P.M. (1530). The rally is to protest the cuts to our VSO’s by the Governor and section 707 of SB 250 sponsored by Senator Garcia. The Commanders Group has authorized the following signs be made by each organization and brought to the rally. It is suggested that you inform the League membership we need as many as possible to attend and show support for our efforts.. As parking may be a problem we suggest, that they be asked to car pool to help with that problem. Please make the following signs.

1. KEEP VETERANS HELPING VETERANS

2.WHY??? VETERANS CUT 25% ALL OTHERS 4%

3.SUPPORT VETERANS ADVOCACY

4.SAY NO TO SECTION 707 OF SENATE BILL 250

5.STATE CUTS FUNDS IN SPITE OF WAR

Each person attending is asked to wear the organizational cover and if they like bring their organization flag.

Doug Williams
Legislative Director       Legislative Affairs Chairman   Legislative Chairperson
Marine Corps League      American Legion                 Commanders Group
Department of Michigan  Department of Michigan        Department of Michigan

From the Desk of Jim Tuohy:

I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THIS BILL. THE PART THAT DIRECTLY AFFECTS US IS SEC 707 BEGINNING ON PAGE 19.

This bill would permit the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to create an office of Veterans Affairs using 50% of the VSO Budget for the second half of FY-2009-2010 that is currently given to the 11 VSO’s. It would permit them to hire individuals to do veteran counseling and allow them to work with counties to provide at least one trained Service Officer to write claims. The bill does not state who the individuals but it could possibly open this up to law students, law firms, etc. who today know nothing about the work we perform. One thing for sure is that it would be a move to eliminate the VSO’s from service work and close our offices down by   pulling our funding. Currently the 11 VSO’s go into over 85% of the County Offices today doing the same thing, writing claims and advising veterans and their   dependents. There are only about 7 counties with full time County Service Officers. VSO Service Officers visit the remainder of the 83 Counties in the State. A Majority of the County Offices do not want to do claims work as they are busy with other duties and are against this. However, the few officers of their  association are trying to force this issue.

DON’T LET THEM DO IT !! This change was inserted into what we call the boilerplate language of the Senate Bill.

 It was done behind the backs of the VSO Directors and was only done to create a few positions for some folks who otherwise would be out of a job in the next few years. The 11 VSO’s have been operating successfully the current way since the 1920’s. We are very successful at what we do and are required by the VA to train annually to maintain our accreditation. The 11 VSO’s receive an annual grant of just over 4 million per year which is divided between all of the organizations.

Your Marine Corps League VSO receives $346,000 per year to operate our office. Last year all organizations in their annual report to the state reported recoveries (Money back to Veterans and their dependents from the Federal Government) $331,305,715.00 or $85.00 for every $1.00 given to us by the state. This move is nothing more than a power play by a few individuals to establish themselves in a job securing their future,

We ask that all Marine Corps League Detachment, Auxiliaries and Devil Dogs as well as Young Marine Units telephone their Senator and defeat the passage of this bill.

PLEASE  CONTACT YOUR SENATOR AND ASK HIM TO VOTE AGAINST THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 250 (S-1)

Thanks  for your support,  

Semper Fi

Jim Tuohy, Director  

Marine Corps League Veterans Service Office