Date: 01/20/2006
Final
State board of vet affairs
COMMITTEE ON JOINT STATE VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
| Votes: View--> | Action Taken: |
| <none> | <none> |
10:38 AM -- Board of Veterans Affairs
Ralph Bozella, chairman of the Board of Veterans Affairs, briefed the committee on the state of the board. Mr. Bozella introduced members of the board who were present in the audience, and passed out a copy of the 2005 Annual Report of the Board of Veterans Affairs (Attachment B). Mr. Bozella outlined the mission of the board, which is to identify and represent the needs of the veterans of Colorado. The board also advises the Governor's office and oversees the Veterans Trust Fund. Mr. Bozella distributed a handout (Attachment C), and provided an overview and history of the Veterans Trust Fund. Mr. Bozella pointed out that due to the budget crisis in 2003, the board had to spend 75 percent of the trust's funds, and only 25 percent of those funds went into savings, inverse from previous years. Primarily, the funds have gone to the support of the Division of Veterans Affairs office, the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, and grants. The board would like to see the restoration of funds appropriated by the state.
10:46 AM
Mr. Bozella discussed the current balance of the trust fund, saying that the board would like to see the Veterans Trust Fund dollars reinstated. Mr. Bozella continued by discussing other functions of the board, specifically networking. Further, the board acts as an advisory board to the County Service Veterans Office and veterans nursing homes. Mr. Bozella clarified that there are five plus one nursing homes in Colorado. The board is working hard to establish strong connections with the VA, and closely monitors the Tobacco Settlement Funds.
10:52 AM
Mr. Bozella echoed the Division of Veterans Affairs' concerns about the maintenance of the cemetery, and the need to increase funding to manage this issue. The board is also working to carry out legislation mandated to them by the legislature. Mr. Bozella highlighted the board's veterans graduate program. Since 2002, the program has graduated between 4,000 and 5,000 veterans, granting them each high school diplomas. Mr. Bozella commented on issues the board would like to see the legislature consider. Mr. Bozella highlighted the improvements made by the Fitzsimons facility, and areas of concern for the department.
11:00 AM
Former Representative Sinclair addressed the committee and discussed his concerns about funding for veterans. Former Representative Sinclair referred to the State Veterans General Fund Appropriation State Comparison (2004 data) sheet (Attachment C). These figures are from 2004, the most current year for comparable data. Former Representative Sinclair stated that 9.3 percent of the Colorado population are veterans; however, Colorado's average expenditure per veteran is extremely low, less than one dollar per veteran. Former Representative Sinclair urges the members of the committee to address their respective caucuses on veterans' issues.
11:07 AM
Representative Gallegos asked Mr. Bozella to clarify the use of veteran's preference points for state employment. Senator Tupa asked about state monitoring and compliance around this issue, and asked if there has been any instances of willful noncompliance. Mr. Bozella said the problem is not willful noncompliance, but instead that the state agencies and their respective hiring departments may need to be attentive to preference points. Further discussion around veteran's preference points ensued.
11:15 AM
Senator May told the committee that he has not heard many complaints around the issue of veteran preference points. Senator May asked about the $8.5 million dollar federal appropriation to the department and asked if the board has any involvement in the appropriation of those dollars. Mr. Bozella stated that originally the board was not involved in that process; however, it has been able to increase its involvement.
11:24 AM
Senator May stated that he would like to see the board have oversight in the appropriation of the federal dollars; however, Mr. Bozella did not believe the board would be able to give much input. Senator Tupa thanked the department and the Board of Veterans Affairs for the work they have done on these issues and many others. Senator Tupa also stated that he hoped the legislature would be able to repay some of the depleted funds in the Veterans Trust Fund. Representative Gallegos welcomed newest member to the board, Mr. Atencio.