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Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Parades and praise for veterans last weekend were one thing, but Nevada has struggled to help veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan access federal benefits. Years of budget cuts have resulted in a two-month wait for veterans to see a state liaison for help with applying for federal education, housing, health care and pension benefits — a delay that the Nevada Office of Veterans Services called “inexcusable,” according to an agency memo written last month. With more than 100 Nevada veterans on a waiting list to see a veterans services officer, the state “is unable to keep abreast of the ...
The thing that's troubling about this article is not only what Governor Sandoval cut before, but the fact that he is incommunicado, and only has other people speaking for him.
This all spells out clearly that Governor Sandoval could care less about the Veterans who call Nevada their home.
As a Retired U.S. Navy Veteran who calls Nevada his home, I also want to express the same sentiment.
I could care less about Governor Sandoval.
He can count on me to vote him out at the earliest opportunity I can.
Maybe Nevada could use some of the $6 trillion dollars the Chameleons spent on green energy follies, stimulus, banks, Detroit unions and just selfish greed. Better yet, how about taking it from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The trouble with Nevada's budget is that it is over-funding several things including over-funding compensation to City, County, and School District employees. When we right-size compensation, there will be more-than-enough money for the things government SHOULD do. K-12 and the university system have become expert at selling Nevadans on the hype that "education" will attract jobs and a diversified economy. We've dumped literally billions additional into this and have negative results. We need to stop attracting the low life--indigents who drain our social welfare programs AND our schools. Unemployed custodial parents who keep having more kids than they are willing to support. We can turn it around by supporting those who have done--those who have worked for years and years and paid in.
What the article doesn't address is that the VA has a benefits office that works with the vet to apply for these FEDERAL benefits. Add in that the DAV as a non-profit organization also has people that help the vet apply for FEDERAL benefits, why do we need a state organization to help apply for VA benefits.
I applied directly to the VA for my VA Loan, health care and disability benefits without any problems. Add in that all active duty personnel when they are preparing to leave service goes through a VA benefit class to assist them on applying for VA benefits, the need for the state office to assist with FEDERAL benefits is a "NICE" have, not a "REQUIRED" except for any state unique benefits (which are few and are handled by the Assessors office and DMV).
As the VA moves to a digital application world, the Vet can apply for benefits on-liine or at a VA Veterans Assistance Office. the need for a third party isn't a need, just a luxury that the state is providing.