Here's the news release: The question is how much of an increase will vets get? I will find out asap!
House Passes Legislation to Improve Veterans’ Benefits, Assist Rural Vets
Rep. Luján Cosponsored Legislation to Help Veterans Across New Mexico
Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation cosponsored by Rep. Ben Ray Luján that will help veterans across New Mexico. The Veterans Cost of Living Increase (H.R. 1513) provides a cost of living increase for disability benefits for veterans and dependency and indemnity for their families. The Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement (H.R. 1377) requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to reimburse veterans receiving emergency treatment in non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
“Rural veterans often are not able to travel to VA facilities for emergency care. The Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act will help them receive emergency care in their communities without traveling long distances to VA facilities,” said Rep. Luján. “The Veterans Cost of Living Increase Act will make is easier for veterans who struggle as their cost of living increases without seeing equal increases in their benefits. We have a responsibility to provide our veterans with the benefits they have earned and deserve, and I will continue to fight for veterans throughout New Mexico.”
# # #
Mark Nicastre
Communications Director
Office of Congressman Ben Ray Luján (NM-03)
502 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Direct: (202) 226-4256
Cell: (860) 685-1542
mark.nicastre@mail.house.gov
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
NM Bill Benefits Out of State Residents - No bill for New Mexico veterans though
A bill that would allow residents from outside of New Mexico to be able to pay in state tuition rates is on the governors desk. Yes, this would bring money from outisde of New Mexico, but how does it help veterans who want to go to school already living in New Mexico?
Why aren't our state lawmakers creating ways for New Mexicans (veterans or not) to be able to afford school in New Mexico?
I appreciate the effort to provide more benefits to veterans, but as a New Mexico resident veteran I find it hard to believe that my lawmakers would approve this bill before coming up with something that will help me and my fellow veterans already paying into the state.
Heres a snippet from the press release:
Santa Fe-On its way to the Governor's desk is Senator Bill Payne's bill
to� offer in-state tuition at New Mexico universities to honorably
discharged veterans, their spouses and children no matter where they
live at the same time. The bill sponsored by Senate Minority Whip
attracts Federal GI Bill dollars to New Mexico Universities and to the
state's economy. The bill passed the House unanimously minutes ago.� It
also passed the Senate unanimously.
It is estimated that $40 million could pour into the state if 1,000
veterans attend school here.� �
"This is a way of attracting students to come here who have money from
the Federal GI bill for tuition,� as well as for living expenses. It is
a boon for the state. It is a benefit.� Also, it thanks our veterans for
their service to our country," Senator Payne said.� Right now, at least
300 veterans would qualify for the program and that could be a $12
million gain for universities and for the economy.
"In addition to benefiting the honorably discharged veteran and his or
her family, this bill benefits the state of New Mexico and the
universities," (BUT NOT NEW MEXICO'S VETERANS) Senator Payne said. "The state would be able to attract veterans to come to New Mexico to study and hopefully make New Mexico
their home. The college educated veterans could help improve the state's
economic development efforts by attracting more businesses looking for a
better educated work-force."
Why aren't our state lawmakers creating ways for New Mexicans (veterans or not) to be able to afford school in New Mexico?
I appreciate the effort to provide more benefits to veterans, but as a New Mexico resident veteran I find it hard to believe that my lawmakers would approve this bill before coming up with something that will help me and my fellow veterans already paying into the state.
Heres a snippet from the press release:
Santa Fe-On its way to the Governor's desk is Senator Bill Payne's bill
to� offer in-state tuition at New Mexico universities to honorably
discharged veterans, their spouses and children no matter where they
live at the same time. The bill sponsored by Senate Minority Whip
attracts Federal GI Bill dollars to New Mexico Universities and to the
state's economy. The bill passed the House unanimously minutes ago.� It
also passed the Senate unanimously.
It is estimated that $40 million could pour into the state if 1,000
veterans attend school here.� �
"This is a way of attracting students to come here who have money from
the Federal GI bill for tuition,� as well as for living expenses. It is
a boon for the state. It is a benefit.� Also, it thanks our veterans for
their service to our country," Senator Payne said.� Right now, at least
300 veterans would qualify for the program and that could be a $12
million gain for universities and for the economy.
"In addition to benefiting the honorably discharged veteran and his or
her family, this bill benefits the state of New Mexico and the
universities," (BUT NOT NEW MEXICO'S VETERANS) Senator Payne said. "The state would be able to attract veterans to come to New Mexico to study and hopefully make New Mexico
their home. The college educated veterans could help improve the state's
economic development efforts by attracting more businesses looking for a
better educated work-force."
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