Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Texas is on the verge of abandoning scores of Veterans if proposed budget cuts are approved.
NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE is part of the ethos embraced by Americas military. This commitment to our fellow warriors is embraced by every young man and woman in uniform and it exemplifies the commitment we make to defend our democratic values.
The Texas Legislature is considering a 20 cut in the near $14 million in state funds which the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) receives to provide veterans services across the state. This cut is on average disproportionate to the reductions other state agencies face. If approved this will drastically reduce the TVCs ability to provide services.
With the proposed drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next two years our returning veterans will need considerable assistance to ensure they access the benefits they have earned. Now is not the time for Texas to curtail the funding for veterans services.
Every day the counselors and staff at the Texas Veterans Commission work tirelessly as advocates on behalf of our states true heroes to ensure they are not left behind.
The TVC staff 84 percent of whom are veterans themselves -- has made astounding progress in the last year helping Texas Veterans access their benefits. Note the following direct impact of TVC efforts:
• 170795 benefit cases filed resulting in over $2 billion in monetary benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to Texas veterans and their families;
• 34038 jobs found for veterans generating $1.8 billion in wages;
• 67015 veterans approved for post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits totaling $397 million;
• $9 million in grants funded mostly from the Veterans Cash lottery ticket to 38 community and faith-based grantees offering a range of services to Texas veterans and their families.
Service to veterans is the reason the Texas Legislature created the Commission back in 1927. With ongoing combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan sustaining the capacity of the TVC is critical in order to continue this level of support and impact on the lives of our veterans and their families.
Furthermore there is an enormous positive economic impact that is a direct result of TVC efforts. These veterans benefits generate state revenue that taxpayers and legislators should consider as they debate this budget cut.
According to the VA TVC counselors played a direct role in bringing in $2 billion in monetary benefits into Texas in fiscal year 2010. Because veterans and their families will spend part of those benefits on items that are subject to the sales tax those benefits generated an estimated $63 million in state revenue last year. That amounts to $16 in state revenue for every dollar Texans spend on TVC Claims counselors. By any measure this is a worthwhile investment for the people of Texas.
The proposed reduction could impact up to approximately 50000 claims over the next two years. This could result in a staggering loss or delay of $760 million in benefits to Texas veterans. The corresponding estimated loss in state sales tax revenue could be over $26 million dollars.
Economically this does not make sense. Mandating a disproportionate TVC budget cut will eliminate significant veterans services at exactly the wrong time for Texas and for our young men and women who sacrifice so willingly to preserve our democracy.
If this proposed budget cut is approved Texas will violate a sacred trust that everyone of us who has ever served inherently possesses. The people of Texas will leave behind literally thousands of the heroes who have served our country over the last decade. The 1.8 million veterans of this great state deserve unwavering support during this very difficult time in Americas history.
It is time for every Texan to sacrifice at the same level as our veterans. Preserve the TVC budget at current levels.
Retired Lieutenant General Ricardo S. Sanchez was the commander of U.S. ground forces in Iraq and was the highest-ranking Hispanic in the United States Army. He currently volunteers as chairman of the Texas Veterans Commissions Communications Advisory Committee.
