Veterans Nursing Homes Board

The board was appropriated about $45 million, compared to current spending of about $38.4 million. Almost $1.3 million was appropriated to the Commissioner of Administration for emergency repairs to the fire support and sewer systems at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. An appropriation of $1.4 million was authorized to open the final 24 beds at the 200-bed domiciliary facility at Hastings. Major renovations have been completed on the campus to bring the domiciliary facility up to current health standards. The Legislature provided $4 million for operating costs of the new veterans home in Fergus Falls, which is expected to reach full operations by July 1, 1999.

The Omnibus State Government Appropriations Bill (Chapter 202) provided about $25.9 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Of that amount, about $17.1 million is for bonus payments to Gulf War veterans and $500,000 is for the administrative costs of the bonus program. Other significant appropriations to the agency included about $3.1 million for the emergency financial and medical needs of veterans; $500,000 for grants to Vinland Center, which provides rehabilitative services to veterans with handicapping conditions; and $463,000 for training of county veterans services officers.

Veterans Service Organizations

Chapter 202 provided $82,000 for the Veterans of Foreign Wars; $40,000 for the Military Order of the Purple Heart; and $26,000 for the Disabled American Veterans.

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