ST. PAUL – In hopes of kickstarting momentum, State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) is co-authoring legislation that would bring a veterans home in Preston back to the legislative forefront.
“We must never forget the sacrifices made by our veterans in their service to our nation,” Davids said. “Part of honoring that sacrifice includes ensuring that these brave men and women have a place to call home.”
The House resolution Davids is co-sponsoring states: “A resolution memorializing the United States government to honor veterans by funding construction costs for proposed veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston.”
In 2018, Rep. Davids championed legislation that provided $10.2 million in state funds to a veterans home project located in Fillmore County. But these allocations only represent a portion of the total construction costs, as new veterans homes are a combination of federal funds (65%) and state and local funds (35%).
To date, federal funding has not arrived. This is why Davids wants to remind the federal government of its needed commitment to those who have fought for our freedoms.
"Our state has a great need for veteran care, and the state has held up its end of the funding bargain," Davids said. “Its time for the federal government to follow suit.”