HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter to Assembly Member Irwin - Vets Funding Support �wBOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEMBERS O TIE BOARD
25 COUNTY T+$C DRIVE,Suite 20
ROVI L ,CALIFORNIA 95 65-33 0
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Telephone:(530)538-7631 ax:(530)538-7120 STEVE LAM E 'r
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January 27, 2015
The Honorable Jacqui Irwwrin
California State ssernbly ,;:�ru�rure��..r,c.A�,rrar�rutA
State Capitol
acr°amento, CA 95814
RE: AB 171 County Veterans Service Officers Funding_SUPPORT
Dear Assembly Member Irwin:
The Butte County Board of Supervisors strongly supports AB 171. This bill seeks to increase local assistance
funding for County Veterans Service Officers ( " tis), CVS0s are the initial, loa1 point-of-contact for
claimants accessing the United States Department ment of Veterans Affairs. They are instrumental in helping our
returning veterans in understanding the complex process. AB 171 would encourage irmovation and reward
outstanding service by C VSOs and again increase the rurururuurrt of state assistance provided to counties to fuund
the activities of CVSOs to$5.6 million statewide,and to make this increase permanent.
It is critical that the+C VSOs again receive an increase in this allocation. For the past two years, funding has been
S5q6 million. If funding returns to$2.6 million as noted in the Governor's budget, new efforts that have been
implemented ented to care for or veterans, including new hires, will be in jeopardy. Additionally,there continues to
e a large number of underserved veterans and their dependents who e not aware of the federal and state
benefits available to them as a result of their military service. Presently,there are an estimated 18,5100 veterans
Living in Butte County. When factoring in the widows and dependcruts of those veterans as well as other'special
populations' such as student veterans, incarcerated veterans, and transient veterans, the number of those in need
of assistance grows significantly. Passage of AB 171 would make it possible to expand services to thousands of
underserved veterans and their dependents.
For these reasons, Butte County unty suupp its Aft 171 and wishes your success in its passage. Ifyou have any
questions,, please contact Hannah Williamson, Butte County Veterans Service Officer, at 530-891-2759 or
hwilliarnson@buttecounty.net..
Thank, you for your leadership.
. cereIy,
Doug l.eeter,'
hairruuarw, Board of Supervisors
cc:
Members,Board of Supervisors
The Honorable Mark Leno-Chair, Senate Budget Committee
The Honorable Shirley Weber-Chair, Assembly Budget Committee
The Honorable Jim Nielsen,Vice Chair, Senate Budget Committee
The Honorable Melissa Melendez,Vice Chair,Assembly Budget Committee
The Honorable Richard Roth-Chair,Senate Budget Subcommittee#4
The Honorable Adrin Nazarian-Chair,Assembly Budget Subcommittee 94
Hannah Williamson-Butte County Veterans Service Officer
Pete Conaty&Associates