State Representative
Carl Jacobson

St. Paul State Representative Carl Jacobson was successful last week in passing legislation in the Minnesota House of Representatives to help veterans organizations. The legislation allows Minnesota veterans organizations to utilize some profits made from charitable gambling to pay for utilities such as heat, water, sanitation and telephone necessary to keep the organizations open. The legislation also allows the organizations to spend up to $5,000 in a calendar year for recognition of military service by members of the organizations.

"In recent years, the number of World War II veterans has decreased to less than the number of Vietnam veterans in Minnesota," said Jacobson. "We should do everything possible to recognize their service to our country and the preservation of liberty. These organizations are becoming their own charities because their membership numbers are decreasing. As this generation of vets begins to pass away, we should provide every opportunity to recognize their service."

According to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, there were 95,100 World War II veterans residing in Minnesota in 1999. World War II veterans are well into their 70s and 80s, and their numbers are dropping quickly. The number of Vietnam veterans in Minnesota - 144,000 - is now higher than the number of World War II veterans. There are 416 VFW and American Legion posts and auxiliaries in Minnesota, and they comprise 27 percent of the state's charitable gambling organizations.

In testimony last month to the House Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Committee, Jacobson said, "In my work as a Certified Public Accountant, on several occasions I've found American Legions or V.F.W.s who are having a hard time paying their bills and keeping the club open. Under current law, they are unable to utilize even some of the profits from charitable gambling to pay for club costs. My proposal changes that law, allowing these organizations to remain open and continue serving veterans and their communities."

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Joining Jacobson in testifying in support of the bill were several members of the American Legion Post 513, located in New Brighton, Minn. Edwin Lindquist, the Post Adjutant, highlighted the fact that Legions and V.F.W.s throughout Minnesota are losing members at a rapid pace and are having a hard time keeping up with fixed costs. Pete Varhol, of Legion Post 513's Housing Committee, and Marvin Moe, the Post's Gambling Manager, also addressed the needs Minnesota American Legions face.

Jim Cornell, the Manager of Gaming Operations for Cornell, Kahler, Kosbab & Shidell, PLLP, indicated that this is a survival issue for veteran's organizations that are really struggling to make ends meet.

"It will be impossible for veteran's organizations to keep their 'homes' up and running over the course of the next few years without additional funds," said Cornell. "All Legions and V.F.W.s are struggling on the general side of their operations and this is a great opportunity for the Legislature to help them out."

In order for the legislation passed by the House to become a law, it will also have to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the governor.

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The text of this news release, along with a headshot of Representative Jacobson, are available at www.house.mn/53B or by contacting Jessie Roos at 651-296-9719.