‘Veterans’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 26th, 2012
The Iowa House approved a bipartisan bill today to prevent a tuition hike on National Guard members who are back in college this year. Last week, House Democrats pushed Republicans to approve the bill quickly and end the uncertainty for National Guard students. The bill was approved by the Senate last week and now goes to the Governor.
Here’s the latest from Radio Iowa’s Kay Henderson:
$1.3 million set aside for Guard tuition grants (audio)
January 26, 2012 By O. Kay Henderson
The Iowa House has given final legislative approval to an emergency allotment of $1.3 million that will cover tuition costs for Iowa National Guard soldiers who’ve enrolled in college courses.
Representative Chris Hall, a Democrat from Sioux City, has heard from a number of soldiers in his district who saw their individual benefits cut by $1300 for this semester.
“During the first week of the legislature, I know that I received emails from several of our Guardsmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing,” Hall says.
Representative Jerry Kearns, a Democrat from Keokuk, says this fulfills a promise made to those soldiers.
“I would have been happy to act on this last week and (get) it out of the way, but I’m very pleased we’re here today acting on it,” Kearns says.
The Iowa Senate approved the bill last week, but Republicans delayed action in the Iowa House to ensure that the Guard indeed needed that much money to fulfill its tuition grant promises. Representative Royd Chambers, a Republican from Sheldon who is a member of the Iowa Air National Guard, says Republicans were just doing their “due dilligence” in checking the numbers.
“We are, of course, all in support of supporting our National Guard members,” Chambers says. “But we also must remember that we are responsible for spending our tax dollars wisely and efficiently.”
Representative John Wittneben, a Democrat from Estherville, says legislators set aside money for the program last year, but that was before about 3000 Iowa National Guard soldiers came back to Iowa after active duty in Afghanistan.
“It’s awful hard to appropriate these dollars when you don’t know how many are going to be returning and taking advantage of this education (grant),” Wittneben says.
The Guard announced in December that Education Assistance grants to its soldiers would be cut because there wasn’t enough money set aside to cover the tuition grants for the 1400 Iowa National Guard soldiers who’re enrolled in college. Governor Branstad has indicated he’ll sign the legislation.
In other action this morning, the Iowa House approved spending $3 million in state money to help restore the USS Iowa, a World War II era battleship that will be docked in Los Angeles as a floating museum. The Iowa Senate approved that level of spending on the project last week.
Tags: chris hall, iowa national guard, john wittneben, Tuition Assistance
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Recent News, Veterans |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 17th, 2012
House Democrats today encouraged Republicans to take quick action on two bills to prevent tuition hikes on national guard members and improve safety at Iowa’s correctional institutions.
“House Democrats are ready to take swift action this week and stop the tuition hike on national guard members. We are ready to work with Republicans and get the bill to the Governor’s desk before we return home for the weekend,” said Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, who leads Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee. “With most Iowa students already back at college for the spring semester, we need to take quick action to restore their tuition assistance before it’s too late.”
In December, the Iowa National Guard announced it would reduce awards for the Education Assistance Program from 90% to 50% because of high enrollment.
“Over the interim, we’ve heard from many Iowans with concerns about safety at our correctional institutions,” added Olson. “As legislators, we have an obligation to ensure the safety of workers in dangerous situations as well as protecting the general public from criminals.”
Olson said both bills will be filed tomorrow.
Tags: Iowa Correctional Institutions, Iowa House of Representatives, iowa national guard, National Guard Tuition, Prison Safety, Public Safety, Rep. Tyler Olson
Category 2012 Session Information, Budget, Featured, Public Safety, Recent News, Veterans |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 12th, 2012
The annual Veterans Day at the Capitol is coming up on Wednesday, January 18th. All service members, veterans, and their families are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The day will give Iowans concerned about veteran’s issues a chance to meet with their legislators and other veterans.
The Iowa Veterans Coalition sponsors the Day at the Capitol, which includes events where you can learn about the latest legislative activity in Des Moines, hear from key policy makers, visit with event vendors about veteran-related services, and meet with your elected officials to make your voice heard on the key issues affecting veterans.
In addition, that day, Major General Timothy Orr, the Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, will address the Iowa Legislature on the Condition of the Iowa National Guard. Since September 11, 2001, more than 16,000 soldiers and airmen of the Iowa National Guard have served in the ongoing campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan, peacekeeping duties in the Balkans and the Sinai Peninsula, and emergency response missions in Iowa and across the country. Iowa is in the midst of what is the largest, single unit call-up in Iowa since World War II. During 2011, there are over 3,000 Iowa National Guard Soldiers deployed overseas.
For more information, go to http://iowahouse.org/veteransday2012.pdf
Tags: iowa national guard, Iowa Veterans Day, military, military families, military spouses, Timothy Orr, Veterans
Category 2012 Session Information, Featured, Recent News, Veterans |
Author: deanfiihr Published: December 6th, 2011
In celebration of the National Guard’s 375th birthday, the Iowa National Guard will host an observance on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m., Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, Camp Dodge, 7105 NW 70th Dr., Johnston. The festivities include a program about the history of the Iowa National Guard, followed by a birthday cake-cutting ceremony.
The origin of the National Guard began with its first muster of Citizen-Soldiers forming the Massachusetts colonial militia on Dec. 13, 1636 in Salem, Mass. Period re-enactors will display uniforms representing the 172-year history of the Iowa National Guard.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information go to: http://www.iowanationalguard.com/Museum/Museum.htm
Category Featured, Recent News, Veterans |
Author: deanfiihr Published: November 10th, 2011
Tomorrow we celebrate all those who have served and fought for our country. To show our gratitude there are a number of great events being held all across Iowa.
Des Moines:
- Larry Nehring Detachment Marine Corps League Veterans Day Program, 11 Nov 2011 10:00 am, Iowa State Capitol Grounds (Between Korea & Vietnam Memorials, Southeast Side of Capitol Grounds), East 13th St. & East Walnut St., Des Moines, IA
- World War II Veterans Day Commemoration Including Governor Terry Branstad Reading of Proclamation in Honor of The Gass Brothers Service In World War II, 11 Nov 2011 2:00 pm, World War II Memorial, East 13th St East of Capitol, Des Moines, IA.
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City
- Veterans for Peace Armistice Day Observance, 11 Nov 2011 10:30 am, Old Capitol Building, Iowa City IA, Note – Bells will ring at 11:00 am. Free lunch to follow at Old Brick.
- Veterans Day Services, 11 Nov 2011 10:00 a.m., Teamsters Hall, 5000 J Street SW, Cedar Rapids IA.
Sioux City
- Woodbury County Veterans Appreciation Ceremony, 11 Nov 2011 11:00 am, Woodbury County Courthouse Rotunda, 620 Douglas St., Sioux City IA 51101.
To see the Veterans Day activities that are taking place around your community, go to: https://va.iowa.gov/images/11-9-2011_events.pdf
Category Featured, Recent News, Veterans |
