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Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008 | 2 a.m.
Sun Archives
Rare is the time one desperately needs cash, and a check falls in your lap.
But that’s what seemed to happen to Tim Tetz, director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services.
Just as he was trying to cut his budget by $1.7 million to satisfy the governor’s office, he learned the federal government is giving the agency $1.9 million more than expected for the veterans home in Boulder City.
Amazing!
Tetz thought his budget woes were solved despite the state’s revenue crunch.
Not so fast.
The state requires its agencies to relinquish any unexpected surplus money from outside sources. So, the state is seizing the $1.9 million from Medicaid — and still ordering the agency to make cuts.
Tetz doesn’t think a budget rule should take money from veteran programs — but if it does, then cut the veterans some slack on the new budget.
“We’re ready to hand you $1.9 million in cash right now,” Tetz said of his plea to the state. Now, “just leave us alone.”
But Andrew Clinger, state budget czar, said the rules are clear.
“We are not trying to be mean to the veterans,” he said. “We treat every agency the same way.”
The $1.9 million from Medicaid is for operating the veterans home the past two years. It can’t be applied to upcoming budgets, Clinger said.
Bill Crowley, president of the National Association of State Veterans Homes, said the association is seeking a legal opinion on whether the state is violating federal code by taking Medicaid money for the general fund.
“It’s reprehensible that any state government would consider using funds specified for the care of elderly and disabled veterans for anything other than that,” he said.
For Medicaid’s part, its regional office says it met its obligation to pay the cost of taking care of veterans at the home and has no further role in what’s going on at the state level.
Tetz and angry veterans plan on bringing up the issue in the upcoming Legislature.
Andrew Clinger, state budget czar, said the rules are clear.
"We are not trying to be mean to the veterans," he said. "We treat every agency the same way."
That statement is just BULL!
Our Veterans, especially some of our most Disabled Veterans living in Veteran's Homes should be treated with the highest dignity as they are the most diverse and deserving of our citzenry!
How dare Mr. Clinger makes such a disrespectful and flippant comment- shame on you!
Veteran's Advocates and Activists recently caught The Great State of Nevada stealing money from the Disabled Veterans License Plate Program!
Tim Tetz is right on! "Just leave us alone" is probably the best policy this budget cycle - especially since most of these bureacrats don't know how to fold an American flag, let alone tell the difference between a U. S. Marine or Army Soldier!
It should be noted that The Nevada Office of Veteran's Services (NOVS) assists thousands of veterans in getting their federal benefits and brings millions of dollars into The Great State of Nevada every year!
And what do these few lucky vets do with their paltry pensions and dwindling disability payments in these terrible times?
They first pay their rent/mortgage, then pay SW Gas, NV Power/Energy, and Telephone Utility bills! Then, what little is left over, goes to buying groceries to make it through the month!
Most Disabled Vets can't even afford to go out to a buffet and don't even play the penny slots (though you'll find some military retirees doing so) - and all of that money helps "The Great State of Nevada"!
Tim Tetz has passed the test of demonstrating that he is willing to "walk-the-walk" and be a sincere, genuine advocate, especially for our elderly veterans (the NOVS is in charge of Veteran's Homes and Cemetaries, as well as helping Disabled Veterans with their V.A. Claims) - KUDOS to Tim and Carol and the small, smart, hard-working staff of NOVS!
If "The Great State of Nevada" was really smart they'd say "Hey, we have the fastest growing veterans population in the nation!"
And, "The NOVS is a successful program that we should be supporting" and not robbing vets to pay for other failings in the Nevada - in fact, Nevada should be giving money to supplement the NOVS budget so they can do even more great work!
I recently spent a full day at the State Veterans Legislative Summit put on by the NOVS to educate the political community at-large.
I fear the stupid state bureacratic bullies will poison this wonderful program that is bringing money into Nevada by robbing the Golden Goose and continuing to cut the budget forcing it to eventually fail - what else can I say? NAIVE, IGNORANT, UNINFORMED, DISCOMPASSIONATE, INCOMPETENT, MEAN, RUDE, NASTY, SELFISH, GREEDY, IDIOTS - well, all of those words together don't seem to be enough?
Tetz is right "JUST LEAVE US ALONE!"
Good story Megan! I apologize for losing my temper and angrily name-calling, but, I am a passionate Veteran's Advocate, Activist and Columnist - and it was a few smart, hard-working NOVS Service Officers that helped to save my life about 5 years ago!
So, I can honestly say that the NOVS SAVES LIVES!
If there ever was a social service program that was fully deserving of being treated as a "sacred cow" the NOVS is The ONE!
I hope the State Assembly and Senate leaders will do more homework and realize that not only is the NOVS doing the right thing by our vets - it's a money maker in bringing in federal benefit dollars that supplement the budget across the board!
So, PLEASE, "Leave Us Alone!" "Do YOUR Homework - and work with us!"
Andrew Clinger: "We are not trying to be mean"....
What kind of statement is that for a state official to provide the media (?) Emotion(s), "meanness", or some degree thereof, has nothing to do with the math. When problems or questions arise, or they are disclosed, get out the measuring stick and take a fair measurement.
Andrew Clinger: "We treat every agency the same." No doubt, in Nevada, that is probably the case. When substantial Medicare fund cuts were announced recently, the announcement was couched with the statement "services will not be effected". Uh Huh.
"State speak" and "Corporate Speak" abound in Nevada, which amount to nicely framing a bad picture just hung on the wall, on numerous public policy hot topics. Pictures abound on the same wall of public and private professionals in NV regarding allegations of illegal, unethical and immoral professional behavior (see Dr. Desai, and others; see home builders giving funds for development, see home builders financing new home sales with upgrade money, then selling the notes; see Medical Mafia and FBI Investigation on med mal suit; see allegations against high ranking state official last week; continue to trace back in time to Clark County Commissioner's criminal misuse of elected power a few years back).
Government comes FROM the people, so this is an endictment against every citizen in NV that does not work and vote for change in Nevada, to get people in office who share their views on the street that an action path must be put in place through Parties and Unions to effect outcomes at election time which will improve quality of life for everyone in Nevada.
It sort of looks like people from OUTSIDE Nevada have been running a fair share of the gaming industry the past few years, and finding and supporting "compromised people" from INSIDE Nevada to do their dirty bidding in policy and decision making in the public sector arena.
I agree, it's all about the money! The out of state powers that be find in state people they can buy off to do their dirty work - but, of course, it's always framed carefully so no one is responsible or ever held accountable and any political blow-back is minimized!
We've found this even inside the Veteran's Community where non-disabled veterans (who were well to do and insiders of a particular political party with their own agenda) worked behind the scenes, and even publicly, to cut Veteran's benefits - they're nothing short of TRAITORS!
It's seems it's always about the money for some - and even when we try to work within the system and play fair - we've constantly got to be very vigilant and watch out for lying, cheating, thieves (and they come wrapped in the flag and giving lip service to how much they appreciate our troops, military families and vets) - then, like Porter went right back to Carson City or Washington and voted AGAINST us!
All I can say, any politician we catch doing this is going to pay a high public price each and every time their name gets published and at the polling booth next election cycle!