Date: 01/05/2015
Final
SMART Act Presentation -- DMVA
COMMITTEE ON JOINT STATE VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
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10:08 AM -- SMART Act Presentation, DMVA
The committee was called to order. New members of the 2015 joint committee introduced themselves, including: Senators-elect Scott and Sonnenberg; Representatives-elect Lontine, Neville, Tate, and Thurlow; and Representatives Primavera and Tyler.
Brig. Gen. Jerome Limoge, Deputy Adjutant General of the Colorado National Guard, introduced himself to the committee. Mr. Mickey Hunt, Deputy Executive Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), presented information to the committee. Committee members received a packet of slides (Attachment A) and a packet of strategic planning information from the Office of State Personnel and Budgeting (Attachment B). Mr. Hunt discussed DMVA's legislative and regulatory agendas. He described the department's budget and capital development requests for Fiscal Year 2015-16. He noted that DMVA's budget is primarily federal funds.
15JtStateSMARTAct0105AttachA.pdf Attachment B can be viewed at Legislative Council.
10:15 AM
Mr. Hunt continued to discuss DMVA's performance plan and strategic policy initiatives. Senator Jones and Mr. Hunt discussed the department's request to increase open space around Buckley Air Force Base (AFB) in Aurora as part of the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program. Representative Ryden and Mr. Hunt discussed the National Guard operations at Buckley AFB. Discussion continued regarding the REPI initiative at Buckley AFB.
10:22 AM
Gen. Limoge provided an overview of the department. He described National Guard deployments and operations, and the state's partnership programs. He provided information about federally funded military projects in Colorado. Representative Primavera and Gen. Limoge discussed the loss of mental health counselors under National Guard family programs. Mr. Hunt clarified that these are federal programs and federal positions, decided by the National Guard Bureau. Discussion continued on this point. Gen. Limoge clarified the distinction between different federal funding streams for the military.
10:33 AM
Reuben Mestas, director of the Division of Veterans Affairs, introduced himself and described the division's work. He discussed the division's assistance in submitting claims to the federal Veterans Administration (VA), the administration of the disabled veterans property tax exemption, and the Veterans Assistance Grant program.
10:41 AM
Dana Nemela, Vice-Chair of the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs, introduced herself and described the board. She discussed the board's key initiatives in 2014, including the grants the board awarded from the Veterans Trust Fund. Senator Aguilar and Ms. Nemela discussed the Veterans Choice Card, which helps rural veterans gain access to care.
Representative Primavera and Ms. Nemela discussed concussive injuries and mental health issues facing young veterans. Mr. Hunt added information about medical care for active duty military personnel. Gen. Limoge and Representative Primavera continued to discuss the military's work on traumatic brain injuries.
10:51 AM
Discussion continued regarding the Veterans Choice Cards and healthcare access for rural veterans.
10:55 AM
Col. William Aceves, Commander, Colorado Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, introduced himself and described the work of the Civil Air Patrol. He discussed the wing's achievements in 2014.
11:00 AM
Gen. Limoge provided additional information about statewide military issues. He discussed the DMVA's proactive approach toward the next possible Defense Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. He further discussed the potential negative affects of continued federal sequester. He described the economic impact of the military presence in Colorado.
11:03 AM
Senator Ulibarri provided a draft letter (Attachment C) expressing concerns about VA care in Grand Junction.
15JtStateSMARTAct0105AttachC.pdf
11:04 AM -- Chris Blumenstein, a former social worker at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center, testified about the case raised in Senator Ulibarri's letter. He described the care and treatment Vietnam veteran Roger Holmes received in Grand Junction, noting particular problems with this care. He explained that Mr. Holmes died on December 20, 2014.
11:16 AM
Senator Ulibarri and Senator Aguilar discussed Mr. Blumenstein's testimony. Committee discussion continued regarding further committee action on this issue.
11:21 AM
The committee recessed.