ST. PAUL — On May 6, the Minnesota House overwhelmingly approved legislation that shows our state’s commitment to taking care of our veterans. The Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus bill was approved by the House on a 122-1 vote.
State Representative Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake), who serves as the Republican Lead for the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, was pleased with the legislation.
"I'm grateful for the overwhelming bipartisan support for our veterans," Dettmer said. "This bill will provide well-deserved bonuses to our post 9/11 veterans and gold star families, funding for our veterans’ homes, and will help combat veteran homelessness. Minnesota has a proud tradition of coming together to support those who have fought and sacrificed for our country and I'm proud that we could get this done working together."
Dettmer said the bill includes more than $10 million for construction cost increases for the three new veterans’ homes in Bemidji, Montevideo, and Preston, and more than $16 million for enhancements and furnishings to these facilities.
Dettmer served as a chief warrant officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and was deployed for two years serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has been a leading advocate for veterans’ affairs in the Minnesota House; having served on the Minnesota House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee during each of his terms.