Vets cemetery needed, but funds lacking for land acquisition

A January report confirms that, based on demographics, a new state veterans cemetery is warranted for southern Minnesota. However, current law directs the Veterans Affairs commissioner only to seek possible sites in Redwood County and in the northeastern part of the state, with a $500,000 appropriation for land acquisition.

Rep. Andy Welti (DFL-Plainview) and Rep. Greg Davids (R-Preston) represent neighboring southeastern Minnesota districts, and they each sponsor bills that address the location discrepancy.

Davids’ bill, HF3057, would add Fillmore County as a location. Welti’s bill, HF3180, would add southeastern Minnesota to the current law.

The bills were heard by the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division with no action taken.

The National Cemetery Administration decides the need for cemeteries and covers the construction costs, but the state is responsible for obtaining land and the ongoing operational costs. David’s acknowledges that the current appropriation is not enough to purchase needed acreage in southeastern Minnesota for a cemetery.

The companion to Welti’s bill, SF2894, is sponsored by Sen. Ann Lynch (DFL-Rochester) and David’s companion, SF2682, is sponsored by Sen. Sharon Erickson Ropes (DFL-Winona). Both await action in the Senate Finance Committee.