MAG Meeting 4 December 2008

I attended the Military Action Group meeting today (4 DEC 08) at the State Capital Building. During the meeting we covered what the priorities of the group were.

      1) 2nd Career Military Tax Exemption
      2) Veterans Preference for State Hiring
      3) SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses) State Contracting Mandate
      4) Veterans Paramedic Apprenticeship Program
      5) Private Firm Incentives for Contracting with SDVOSB's - VICTRI have any update?
      6) CDMRP (Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs)  - VICTRI have any update?

We are trying to get word from the Governor's office regarding any pending release of an agenda for Veterans issues; will pass that along as we learn more.

OJ Doyle, a lobbyist from the Ambulance Association, spoke on getting Paramedics Apprenticeship Program to accept military training and experience. The out-state ambulance crews desperately need these highly experienced individuals in their ambulances. Spoke about $100K in funding for a full time executive director and office costs that was nearly approved last year but wasn't, and the wanted to get the MAG's support in moving this legislation forward.

Discussed how the military tax exemption can only be awarded to veterans who make less than $37,500 a year. It is believed that the legislation needs to be re-written to help a larger group, as most veterans earn more than that.

Discussed the widows of veterans and providing tax relief, and how the department of veterans affairs has addressed that issue.

Discussed the gap between Wisconsin and Minnesota regarding Veterans in Minnesota with Military Pensions. The research, conducted by The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) Ralph Donais, concludes that implementing a tax exemption status on veterans would bring money into the state.

Received a document showing the number of non-elected veterans working for the MN Senate, House, and other non-elected positions. 8 of the 208 Senate employee are veterans, 7 of the 253 House employees are veterans. This is important information for our number 2 priority, Veterans Preference for State Hiring.

Next meeting is January 8, 2009, at 1300 hrs.
Respectfully submitted,

Carl Madsen
MAJ, (RET) NGAMN Legislative Rep (Alternate)