Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This week in the Veterans Committee, we advanced a number of bills that will have a positive impact on our servicemen and women throughout Minnesota.
First, House File 1414 was heard and passed onto the State Government Finance Committee. This bipartisan bill would provide funding to design and build two new veterans homes in Montevideo and Bemidji which would be run by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. The appropriations are part of the 35 percent match which is necessary to be eligible to apply for the 65 percent match from the federal Veterans Administration to build the homes.
If signed into law, HF1414 authorizes the commissioner of Veterans Affairs to apply for federal funding for up to 140 beds for the two facilities in Bemidji and Montevideo. There is a need for more facilities to house our retired veterans in Minnesota, and I am hopeful that this bill will move forward so we can build these two new veterans homes.
Also on Monday, we heard House File 705 which was passed and re-referred to the Taxes Committee. This legislation, which also has bipartisan support, would provide a property tax reduction of around 33 percent for qualifying American Legions and VFWs.
I will continue to work on behalf of veterans in the Minnesota House of Representatives, advancing legislation that benefits the people who have sacrificed so much to protect our state, our nation and our freedoms.
As always, thank you for the honor and privilege of being your state representative. If I can ever be of assistance to you or your family on a matter of state government, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Bob