Broken incentive promises could be ripe for committee debate

An issue of National Guard members being promised incentives and not being paid after deployment surfaced in places like California, but the discussion topic could make its way to Minnesota.

Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul) told Department of Military Affairs Executive Director Don Kerr on Monday he intends on making the issue of Minnesota National Guard members not getting paid for their service a discussion point throughout the session. Lesch’s comments, during a question-and-answer segment with Kerr in the House Veterans Affairs Division, followed a presentation on how the department operates.

“I’m going to be asking that question this session about where we’re at,” Lesch said. “… How much was promised and how much was given out.

Kerr said he was willing to talk further with Lesch and other lawmakers as the session continues. The Military Affairs Department oversees the Minnesota National Guard, which includes both air and army, and is one of the largest employers in Morrison County – what Kerr referred to as a “crown jewel”—Camp Ripley.

With 1,536 Army employees, 709 Air Force employees and a state economic impact of $28 million, the department receives 93.5 percent of its funding from the federal government.

Other committee members, like Rep. Marion O'Neill (R-Maple Lake), signaled interest in hastening the benefits process for both active military members and veterans. Bills currently awaiting division action include modifying past military service credit and deceased veterans’ spouses’ benefits.