Political Notebook

Walz to help launch 'Veterans United' to defeat marriage amendment

1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz is helping launch a new group tomorrow called "Veterans United" aimed at helping defeat the marriage amendment.

The group is a coalition of veterans of the armed services that oppose the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, according to a news release. Walz will be joined by Lori and Jeff Wilfahrt, whose openly-gay soldier son Andrew was killed while on a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2011. The group is connected to Minnesotans United for All Families, the main organization fighting against the marriage amendment. The kick-off will be at 10 a.m. at the state Capitol.

Walz has already spoken out against this amendment and has supported efforts to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act at the federal level. The Mankato Democrat served 24 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard and retired after achieving the rank of command sergeant major. He is the highest ranking enlisted soldier to serve in Congress.

Veterans United plans to tour the state in the weeks before the Nov. 6 election to urge defeat of the amendment. Walz's opponent, Republican Allen Quist, has said he supports the constitutional amendment, which would define marriage as being between one woman and one man.

It's interesting to note that Richard Carlbom is heading up the Minnesotans United's campaign efforts. He previously worked as Walz's campaign manager.

 

 

 

 

Walz's bill to help veterans find jobs headed to president

Yesterday, the U.S. House and Senate passed a bill sponsored by 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz aimed at making it easier for veterans to find jobs once they come home.

The "Veteran Skills to Jobs Act" streamlines the federal certification process, making it easier for veterans to take advantage of their military skills when looking for jobs at home. The bill directs the head of each federal department and agency to treat relevant military training as sufficient to satisfy training or certification requirements for federal license. The idea is to get rid of redundant training requirements for veterans so they can get back to work sooner.

“We must do all we can to ensure our veterans are finding careers that give them the opportunity to utilize their skills, support their families, and have passion for their work," Walz said in a statement following the bill's passage. "This bill will work to do just that and I’m pleased that both parties were able to work together in bipartisan fashion and send this common-sense bill to the President’s desk to become law. The work does not end here, however, and I will continue to fight for ways to ensure our brave warriors are able to find good paying jobs when they get home.”

The bill is now awaiting President Obama's signature.

Senjem not on board with Roch vets museum — yet

Preston Republican Greg Davids recently made headlines earlier this month when he announced  plans to seek  $15 million in funding for a proposed veterans museum in Rochester. Davids said he plans to seek legacy funding and state bonding money for the Minnesota Veterans and Emergency Services Museum. But what does the chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee think about the project proposed for his hometown?

Sen. Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, said at this point he has a lot of questions.

"I haven't jumped on board heavy on this one. Not saying it's a bad idea, I just don't know enough about it," he said.

Senjem's questions include who would own the facility and where it would be located. There has been plenty of debate about whether the proposed 60,000-square-foot museum should be built at Soldiers Memorial Field.

He added, "If the state is going to own it and run it, is somewhere on the Capitol grounds or near the Capitol a better visitor or tourism location?"

It will be interesting to see if any Rochester lawmakers sign up as cosponsors for Davids' proposal.

Walz to present medals to WWII veteran in Roch tomorrow

1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz will be in Rochester tomorrow morning to present a set of replacement medals to local World War II veteran Dr. Robert Sabbann. The veteran will get his medals as he prepares to head out on an honor flight to see the World War II Memorial in Washington  D.C. next week. Walz's office helped make sure Sabbann received his medals.

The congressman will present those medals to Sabbann at Soldiers Field Memorial in Rochester. Joining him will be Pete Mathias, Southeast Minnesota Honor Flight treasurer.

Fight over where to put vets cemetery reemerges

Last session, lawmakers representing Fillmore County squared off with lawmakers representing Olmsted County over the issue of where a new veterans cemetery should go. In the end, it was the Olmsted County lawmakers who prevailed.

Former state Rep. Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview, and former Sen. Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester, both backed a bill that would require all of southeast Minnesota be considered for a new state veterans cemetery. The argument was that all of southeast Minnesota should be examined for a possible site to make sure the best location was picked. That could potentially include land near Stewartville.

Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, and former Sen. Sharon Erickson-Ropes, DFL-Winona, had backed a bill that would require the new cemetery be built in Fillmore County. The county and city of Preston have offered to donate land for the project.

But in the end, the broader language passed last year. But Davids is bringing the issue back up sponsoring a bill to require the cemetery be built in Fillmore County. There is a hearing at 12:30 p.m. before the Veterans Services Decision on his bill, HF 226. Sen. Jeremy, Miller, R-Winona, is sponsoring a similar bill in the Senate.

The bills rely on $500,000 in funding already appropriated for veterans cemeteries. That isn't much, given that there are three proposal in the works in Minnesota — one in southwestern Minnesota, one in northeastern Minnesota and one in southeast Minnesota.

 

Walz and veterans on the campaign trail

DFL Congressman Tim Walz's support of veterans is taking centerstage in his campaign for re-election. On the heels of a recent TV ad promoting Walz's work to help Vietnam War-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange, the Veterans for Walz group is sponsoring meetings  with veterans in Austin and Winona today.

A news release says the event is aimed at talking about the differences between himself and Republican Randy Demmer on the issue of veterans. The release states that "in light of the Demmer campaign's insistance that Tim and Representative Demmer are the same when it comes to veterans' issues, local vetearns are holding discussions with fellow veterans around the district to discuss the clear choice in November."

Yesterday, Walz traveled to the Rochester VFW to announce he has been endorsed by the VFW PAC.His office also announced today that Walz is sponsoring a bill to help prevent vetearns with VA home loans from becoming homeless due to foreclosure.

Demmer Campaign Manager Jason Flohrs has repeatedly said that Demmer would also be committed to helping veterans if elected. This does pose a dicey situation for Walz's opponents — including IP candidate Steven Wilson and independent Lars Johnson. If they criticize Walz for focusing on his efforts to help veterans, they run the danger of looking like they don't care about veterans' issues.

 

 

Walz to host town hall on veterans' issues

1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz is hosting a public town hall in Rochester on Monday on veteran's issue.
The event will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Memorial Hall, Room MH-223 at Rochester Community and Technical College, 851 30th Ave. S.E. Doors will open at 5 p.m.
Walz is a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and a 24-year veteran of the Army National Guard. Walz is expected to give a brief overview of the latest development in veterans issues and then field questions from the audience.
Attendees are encouraged to part in the University Center Rochester east parking lot just off 30th Ave. S.E.

Walz looks to simplify tax credits for hiring vets

1st District Democratic Rep. Tim Walz introduced a bill today that would simplify tax credits for employers who hire returning veterans.

To qualify for the credit, employers must hire veterans who left military service in the last 5 years. The bill is aimed at streamlining the certification process for recently returning veterans who qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The measure would allow veterans to get certification from the U.S. Department of Defense without going through the current, lengthy certification process. Service members would also receive training on how to market themselves to employers in terms of the tax credit.

From 2006 to 2009, unemployment among male veterans between the ages of 18 to 24  has climbed more than 11 percentage points to more than 21 percent, according to a news release. For female veterans of the same age, unemployment rates have risen by 7.5 percentage points to 20 percent.

"When the brave men and women who serve our nation in uniform leave to deploy overseas, they don't just leave behind their family and friends, often times they leave behind jobs and livelihoods as well. After the sacrifices they have made, making sure that they have access to a good paying job to support their families when they return is the least we can do," Walz is quoted as saying in the news release.

Walz serves on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., introduced identical legislation in the Senate.

Walz: 'I don't think we can ever do enough' for soldiers

1st District Congressman Tim Walz offered his reaction to the Fort Hood shootings in an interview last night on MSNBC's "The Ed show" hosted by Ed Schultz. Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier ever to serve in Congress, called the incident an "incredible tragedy."

"We've got these brave warriors who do their duty, put themselves at risk for us and they are back on their home post with their families and we see something like this happen," Walz said.

During the interview, Schultz asked Walz whether enough is being done to help support soldiers. Walz said progress is being made but there is still more work to do.

"This is a very demanding job on the families and the warriors. I don't think we will ever be able to do enough," he said.

Here is a link to the interview. It should be noted that it is outdated in terms of the shooting information, saying that the suspected gunman was killed when in actuality he survived with injuries.

Walz: Returning vets still falling between the cracks

1st District Rep. Tim Walz gave the keynote address today at the American Legion National Convention in Louisville, Ky. During his 20 minute speech, the Democrat told the crowd that more work still needs to be done to help veterans returning home. To see his speech, go here.

He said one of the biggest problems is a lack of communication between the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, which makes it difficult for veterans to get the benefits they deserve.

"There is a chasm that soldiers drop between," he told the crowd.

He said more needs to be done to ensure a "seamless transition" for veterans returning to civilian life. He said more also has to be done to reach out to young soldiers.

"We know that these younger warriors coming back, the VA doesn't even capture their e-mail address to contact them," Walz said.

He also emphasized the importance of maintaining funding for veterans benefits. During the health care reform discussions, he said he has heard some suggestions that military veterans on the "Tricare" insurance plan should pay copays — something he vowed to fight against.

"The copay was paid when they swore their oath in enlistment to this nation and it won't go further," he said.

Walz did crack a joke during his speech about the fiery debate over health care reform and townhall meetings.

"If you want to make me feel at home, just randomly yell at me some now. It will make me feel a little more comfortable."