|
| Date: | December 12, 2011 | | Contact Name: | Chris Van Guilder | | Contact Phone: | 651-296-1388 | | Contact Email: | christopher.vanguilder@senate.mn | | For Immediate Release | |
|
| SENATOR MIKE PARRY AND REP BRUCE ANDERSON ANNOUNCE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARING TO REVIEW VETERANS SERVICES ISSUES |
(ST. PAUL) -- Sen. Mike Parry (R-Waseca), Chairman of the Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee and Rep. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo Township), Chairman of the House Veterans Services Division, announced today a joint legislative hearing to address and review veterans services issues on December 19, 2011.
The agenda items include review of exceedingly high suicide rates in Minnesota’s National Guard, the Department of Veterans Affairs Minnesota Service C.O.R.E program, and a review of the Legislative Auditor’s report of possible financial wrongdoing at a Minnesota veterans home.
The joint committee will review instances of suicide among members of Minnesota’s National Guard, which are some of the highest totals in the nation. Additionally, the committee will review the Minnesota Service C.O.R.E program. Administered within the Department of Veterans Affairs, the program is a new initiative to provide family, financial, addiction and disability counseling and services to veterans, military members, and their families throughout Minnesota.
Sen. Parry commented, “We are very concerned about our veterans, their families and their loved ones. This hearing will provide an opportunity to gain more information and insight into how we can better serve our veterans in a variety of areas. Most importantly, we need to be vigilant and proactive in our efforts to prevent future tragedies and the loss of our service men and women here at home.”
The committee will also examine a December 1, 2011 Office of the Legislative Auditor financial review of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis. This review found “evidence of possible financial wrongdoing” involving money that belongs to residents of the home. The risk of wrongdoing was increased because the home “did not have adequate financial controls” to ensure that residents' money was safeguarded.
The joint committee hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 19 at 10:00 am.
Joint Committee: Senate State Government Innovation and Veterans Committee
Room: 200 State Office Building
Chairs: Rep. Bruce Anderson, Sen. Mike Parry
Agenda: Review of suicide rates in Minnesota National Guard, Case Management, Outreach, Referral & Education (CORE) Program, Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis – Review of Audit.
# # #
