Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas — At the Department of Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Mid-Winter Conference, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst added to his list of Interim Charges created to guide the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations in preparation for the Legislative Session in 2015. “Here in Texas, we honor our veterans because of their sacrifices and service to our country and the positive impact their leadership, experience, and education have on our economy,” said Dewhurst. “I am committed to making Texas the most vet-friendly state in the country.”
Having championed numerous pieces of legislation to improve benefits for Texas veterans, Lt. Governor Dewhurst added the following Interim Charges to those he issued to the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations in November:
SUPPORT SERVICES. Lt. Governor Dewhurst instructed the committee to study and make recommendations to improve access to services provided by non-profit organizations to veterans, their families, and survivors, including examining the effectiveness, standards, and consistency of the 2-1-1 information and referral system for military and veteran families statewide.
PROFESSIONAL LICENSING FOR VETERANS. Dewhurst also instructed the committee to monitor the implementation of the veterans occupational licensure bills passed during the 83rd Legislative Session to expedite the licensure process for those who are serving, have served, or are married to someone serving our nation in uniform. Additionally, he instructed the committee to study and make recommendations to strengthen and improve state efforts to ease the transition of military veterans and their spouses into the Texas civilian workforce.
MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. Lt. Governor Dewhurst complimented the Legislature for their investment this past session in mental health and instructed the committee to monitor implementation of the veteran’s mental health legislation passed during the 83rd Legislative Session, including funding to support the Military Veteran Peer Network at Department of State Health Services. Dewhurst also asked the committee to assess whether state mental health initiatives targeted to veterans and their families appropriately address Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and if not, recommend actions to further help our returning veterans suffering from PTSD. Additionally, Dewhurst instructed the committee to study and make recommendations to enhance the delivery of mental health services to veterans at the local level through the network of Veteran County Service Officers.
“When troops endure the stress of combat, the scars they bring home aren’t always visible,” concluded Dewhurst. “Accelerating the implementation of our veterans’ mental health programs and the availability of other non-profit services will help them to enjoy the freedom they’ve fought to defend.”
The charges announced today will be added to the following charges that the Lt. Governor announced for the Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations in November 2013:
DWINDLING FEDERAL INVESTMENT. In light of ongoing reductions in federal spending for military programs and veterans’ benefits, Dewhurst instructed the committee to investigate the impact of federal actions (including the federal government shutdown, sequestration, military force reductions, and potential base closure or realignment) on active-duty service members, the Texas Military Department, veterans, their families, defense-related contractors, small businesses, local governments, and state agencies.
SERVICE MEMBER REINTEGRATION. As veterans of post-9/11 conflicts in places like Afghanistan and Iraq return to civilian society, they deserve the smoothest possible integration into the workforce. Dewhurst charged the committee with monitoring and examining efforts to provide employment and workforce opportunities for veterans, service members, and their families. He also called for their recommendations on how best to continue collaborating with and supporting this valuable population as they re-enter the civilian workforce, including improving employment opportunities for veterans at all state agencies.
REDUCING THE BENEFITS BACKLOG. Having championed the State Strike Force which is working to move Texas veterans’ disability claims through the federal system, Dewhurst called for an update on the team’s progress and recommendations on any additional steps necessary to ensure that veterans promptly receive all federal disability benefits to which they are entitled.
Lieutenant Governor Dewhurst will continue to release his interim charges in the coming weeks.
