Last week, I was at the Topsham Town Hall and overheard a conversation between a customer and a town worker. The conversation went something like this:
Customer: “My shoulder really hurts.”
I happen to know the customer is a Vietnam combat veteran. I asked him, “Have you been to Togus? You were boots on the ground. Have you inquired about Agent Orange?”
His reply was: “I don’t need the help, give it to the veterans who need it.”
The problem is the VA works on number of veterans served and that is how the funds are distributed within Region One, which is New England. So the larger number of veterans served results in more funds being allocated. So, it benefits all Maine veterans when more veterans get registered with the V. A. It’s easy to do, just call the Veterans Resource Center at Brunswick Landing and start the process.
Maine Legislation:
LD 1280: An act to build a resort casino and hotel in Cumberland/ York County. This past Wednesday, this bill was brought before the House for a vote. What I don’t understand is how could an amendment (minority) with four members of the Veterans & Legal Affairs Committee, three Democrats, one Republican from Oxford, Lewiston, Bangor and Ellsworth all voted against LD 1280 before the majority vote eight members voting in favor of LD 1280? It is my opinion this was back room politics. The vote against LD 1280 was 83 yes, 61 no and seven members absent. The vote breakdown was Penobscot County, 16 yes and 10 no; Oxford County, 11 yes and 1 no; Androscoggin County, 10 yes and 1 no.
The bill was to go to the Senate Thursday, but two no votes were absent so the bill was tabled till later. Once again, my opinion, back room politics.
Two bills were signed by the governor, LD 1524, an act to update the laws governing the Maine Veteran Homes, and LD 1504, an act to establish Nov. 1 as Veterans in the Arts and Humanities Day.
Dead in committee, LD 221, to amend the laws regarding service animals housing accommodations.
Other veterans bills in Augusta include:
• LD 1062, an act to support housing for homeless veterans — carried over.
• LD 873, an act to authorize a general fund bond issue for housing for homeless veterans — carried over.
• LD 997, an act to streamline requirements for and payments from Veteran Organizations — Ought to Pass
• LD 1343, an act to increase access to post secondary education for National Guard members — Ought to Pass June 9, 2015. Note: Over a year ago Gov. LePage spoke in favor of this bill, proposed by Rep. Farrin, Norridgewock. See the article in The Times Record March 24, 2016, “This One’s on Us.”
• LD 1590, an act to exempt from the Sales and Use Tax sales to certain Veteran Organizations funding direct supportive services to veterans and their families — carried over.
Legislation recommended by the Commission to Strengthen and Align the Services provided to Maine veterans. Veterans were heard in both the House and Senate:
• LD 1602, an act to establish a pilot project to inform the development of V.A. long term transportation policy to assist veterans
• LD 1610, an act to clarify the laws governing certain benefits provided to veterans and military service members.
• LD 1611, an act to establish an interagency council to coordinate services for homeless veterans.
• LD 1612, an act regarding enhancement to the Bureau of Maine Veteran Services. These bills were lumped together for further action.
Gov. LePage announced a bill and executive order to promote employment of veterans. It’s an act to reform the veterans preference in State hiring and retention.
Book group
Maine Humanities Council offers the veteran book group in partnership with Maine Togus with support from the Welch Charitable Fund at the Maine Community Foundation. The group will meet Wednesday at the Curtis Memorial Library Seminar Room, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick. The subject will be from her point of view. The time will be 5:15 p.m. socializing and food and will conclude at 7:30 p.m.. This book group is for women veterans/former service members — come join us. LaRonda Harris, Director of Women’s Clinic at Togus V.A. will be present.
Till next time, keep the faith.
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Chick Ciciotte is the legislative chairperson for the Mid-Coast Veterans Council. He lives in Topsham.
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