Topeka — Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday announced an effort to try to get services to more military veterans.
"We will always remember and honor our veterans," Brownback said at a news conference.
When the 2014 legislative session starts Monday, Brownback said he will seek approval for hiring four employees who will help veterans access benefits, a $1.4 million upgrade of the Kansas Soldiers' Home, and opening a 40-bed housing unit at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield.
There are approximately 230,000 military veterans in Kansas.
Wayne Bollig, with the Kansas Commission on Veterans' Affairs, said about 12 percent of veterans in Kansas receive benefits, while in neighboring states the figure is 18 percent to 22 percent.
Comments
Steve King 3 years, 7 months ago
Hummm...why didn't he do that 2 years ago? Maybe now with an election looming and all of us tired of his antics he's working to make some positive points.
Julius Nolan 3 years, 7 months ago
Re-election time. Now Brownback is trying to get votes from all those he's been screwing over.
Richard Heckler 3 years, 7 months ago
Proposing and accomplishing are two very different animals. Yep election year rhetoric. Actually this rt wing GOP party that Sam has been a part of has some disturbing history of voting against veterans benefits in the beltway.
In fact this same rt wing GOP has suggested reducing military retirement benefits quite recently.
GOP Blocks Veterans Job Bill -http://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-gop-blocks-veterans-jobs-bill/
Richard Heckler 3 years, 7 months ago
Paul Ryan and GOP Must Own Cuts to Vets Benefits - http://www.redstate.com/2013/12/18/paul-ryan-the-gop-must-own-the-cuts-to-veterans-benefits/
Before becoming an elected official Paul Ryan trained under Sam Brownback ...... yep.
Even John McCain was voting against vet benefits until some vet organizations called him out.
C'mon Sam come up with some benefits for vets that = worthwhile dollars and cents. Let's talk substance and commitments to vets not campaign rhetoric. And pass these benefits in Topeka without loop holes long before the election. Sam YOUR party has complete control there are no excuses.
Richard Heckler 3 years, 7 months ago
There are plenty of veterans organizations in Kansas that know how to track down benefits for vets and also represent vets if need be. This service has been around beyond forever.
Michael LoBurgio 3 years, 7 months ago
Support our troops the GOP's broken record
Refusing the medicaid expansion Slashing unemployment benefits Holding up bill to support disabled veterans Blocking veterans job bill Voting down funding for VA hospitals
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