NGAUS LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP

AFTER ACTION REPORT (TRIP REPORT)
TO: NGAMN BOARD
FROM: CAPT BRIAN WINTER
SUBJECT: NGAUS LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP, WASHINGTON DC
DATE: 1 - 2 FEB 2010
CC: NONE

NGAUS LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP
Attendees: Capt Brian Winter, NGAMN Legislative Rep, Brig Gen Cossalter, COL Ahlness

Purpose of Trip: To obtain knowledge of the political process and legislative rep role, current NGAUS legislative priorities.

Day 1:
- NGB-LL FY2010 Strategic Overview, NGB-LL, LTC Bob Priess
---Discussed what's being called the "Guard and Reserve Initiative"
---Current priorities are MILCON and additional authorizations for NDS techs
---Current strategic environment -
- Election year
- QDR - released 01 Feb 10
- HASC/SASC rejected DoD increase in ARNG NDS techs - need to sell why this is needed to the hill
- Comments by General McKinley, Director of the National Guard
---We need to remember that we are the militia - a constitutionally based organization
---ANG needs to realize that the age of manned aviation is coming to an end - "it's time to wake up, time to play ball."
---Technology will need to be the driving force in the ANG
---Think about what our ANG, AF will look like in 5 years, the biggest adjustment in the NG will be in the ANG
---ARNG is currently in great shape, big Army acknowledges the value of the ARNG - not the case with the Air Force and the ANG.
---Currently thinking about how we reset the ARNG post-OIF, OEF; equipment is in marginal shape
---The QDR is a "take it or leave it" budget - not like the past where interests could be cut out or propped up.
---ANG "Way Ahead" -
- Space and cyber field is wide-open, need to get in front of this
- Need to be very active/valuable community, state asset through:
- EMEDS
- State emergency support
- Need to think about how we build our market share, think of the Air Force as GM, ANG as Chrysler
---The budget deficit is the #1 security crisis
- Georgetown Government Affairs Institute presentation, Dr. Marian Currinder and Dr. John Haskell
---Two professors from Georgetown gave a mini-seminar on the legislative process
---Dr. Marian Currinder covered the following:
- Authorizations process = establishes policy
- Appropriations process = how we are going to pay for policy
- 10-14K bills are introduced in a session, only 3-5% become law
- The framers designed it to be a cumbersome system
- House needs 218 of 430 members to pass (majoritarian house)
- Every state gets only 2 senators (100 total), one senator can hold up progress
- Prior to 19th century, senators were appointed by the state legislatures
- The legislative process is more like a tree than a ladder - no direct way to the top (end result), but multiple ways
- Most bills start as ideas, drawing from legislators' past experiences or constituents' letters, etc.
- Defense appropriations is different, happens in committee.
- Hearings are conducted to make research public, "on the record." They are to put on display all the work committees have done.
---Dr. John Haskell:
- "Follow the Money" - how to keep track of your legislative initiative(s)
- Congress is looking at both appropriations and authorizations at the same time - easy to lose track of where a bill is at
- Legislation can move back and forth between these three areas repeatedly: Policy <> Budget committees <> Appropriations
- Presidential Budget - it is not a law, prez submits at the start of session.
- Congress' response is due by 4/15
- Minority party has little impact on the budget
- 302(a) allocation = the amt of $ spent on discretionary spending
---Budget resolution dictates how much is going to be spent
- 302(a) is the entire pie (total discretionary spending), 302(b) is the pieces of the pie shared by the 12 sub-committees (defense, milcon/VA, Ag, homeland security, etc.)
- 2010 Budget Outlook - similar to mid-late 1980's
- PAYGO rules applied, became law in 1991, (1994, 1997)
---Increases in mandatory spending must be funded from somewhere else - figure out how to pay for them
- Middle of cold war
- 2010 - country at war, economy starting to perk up
---Need to deal with deficits again
---Senate re-enacted PAYGO
---Government entering an era of restraint
- Defense spending categories: Procurement/Acquisitions, Personnel, O&M, other
---5 reasons why Republicans/Democrats will do well in the next election
- The Guard and Reserve Initiative
---$30M to the ARNG and ANG to address critical unfunded requirements
---NGB-LL website: www.ng.mil/ll to track points of action throughout the year
---Earmarks happen during the appropriations process (hearings phase)
---ARNG is the most earmarked account in the DoD
- Visits/Q&A with congressional staffers
---Debra Wada, Senior Staffer
---Erin Reif, Sen Lamar Alexander, R-TN
---JP Dowd, Sen Patrick Leahy, D-VT
---Staffers do 90-95% of the work
---Need to know who your state's MLAs are
Day 2:
- NGAUS Legislative Update and Priorities - Richard Green, NGAUS Legislative Dir.
---NGAUS Legislative tools
---Why Lobby Congress? It's in the constitution!
---Who we work with
---Task forces, resolutions committees, legislative process
---Resolutions start with the state associations, Jan-May
---Mandatory vs Discretionary spending
---Top FY10 Legislative Accomplishments
---FY10 Strategic Priorities
- EANGUS Legislative Update
- Congressman Loebsack, D-IA, 2nd Dist and staffer Megan Linn
- AGAUS update, MG Greg Wayt, TAG-OH
- Sen Kit Bond staffer - Mike
- COL Ahlness
---MILCON
---QDR
---Work with National Governors' Association
---Make the staff heroes, tell the truth, don't withhold information
- Kevin McColaugh, NGAUS staff (ARNG programs)
---Make sure to thank legislators for what you have gotten
Recommendations:
- NGAMN should send a minimum of one to two people annually to this conference to hear the information presented, learn the legislative process, build relationships at the national office and on the hill
- NGAUS has a great space available at no charge for hosting legislative events. Several states host thank-you events there for their staff on the hill annually.

In closing:
- Although it was a quick trip, it was a valuable use of time. I learned an immense amount about the legislative process and how things get done on the hill. It's also a great opportunity to meet ARNG/ANG folks from other states to learn about how they are doing things and to meet MN staffers/legislators.



//SIGNED//
Brian C. Winter, Capt NGAMN Legislative Liaison

2011 Budget Proposal Includes Air Force Plane Grab

NATIONAL GUARD ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES, INC.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ONE MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE, NW, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 (202) 789-0031

Contact: John Goheen at (202) 408-5882

2011 Budget Proposal

Includes Air Force Plane Grab


WASHINGTON (Feb. 2, 2010) - Air Force officials have found a new source of inventory to replace their aging aircraft: the more experienced, less expensive and often more heavily tasked Air National Guard.

The plan, which is included in the president's 2011 budget proposal (please see attached budget document), would shift 12 C-130 Hercules cargo planes from Air Guard bases nationwide to replace older active-component models at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark.

The same scheme would also eliminate the only flying unit in the Puerto Rico Air Guard. In all, 21 Air Guard C-130s would be affected.

"This continues the slow but steady grounding of the Air National Guard," said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, NGAUS chairman of the board. "At a time when we should be leveraging cost-effectiveness, the Air Force wants to gut its component with, by far, the lowest operating costs.

"We're cutting muscle when we should be cutting fat-excess personnel and infrastructure not involved in today's missions," he said. "This is bad for America and, ultimately, will be bad for the U.S. Air Force."

Air Force officials said the plan is based on the findings of the Mobility Capability Requirements Study; however, this most recent look at the U.S. military's airlift needs is yet not complete.

In addition, Air Guard leaders in the states and the nation's governors were never consulted or advised of the scheme's significant provisions.



The plan continues an effort that began when Air Force leaders used the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process to cut the Air Guard instead of-as BRAC was intended-to divest excess infrastructure.

"The Air Guard is the last place to look to save money," Bunting said. "Most of our bases are on state or municipal airport property. We have minimal infrastructure and overhead. We have a mostly part-time force. We also have some of the most experienced air crews and maintainers in the Air Force.

"When you cut the Air Guard you're not cutting costs," he said, "you're cutting capability."



# # #



About NGAUS: The association includes nearly 45,000 current or former Guard officers. It was created in 1878 to provide unified National Guard representation in Washington. In their first productive meeting after Reconstruction, militia officers from the North and South formed the association with the goal of obtaining better equipment and training by petitioning Congress for more resources. Today, 132 years later, NGAUS has the same mission.



Internet Availability: This document and other Guard and NGAUS news and information are available at www.ngaus.org.

Legislative Alert #09-07: Army National Guard Black Hawk Modernization

> LEGISLATIVE ALERT #09-07
> March 25, 2009
>
> ________________________________
>
>
> The Issue: Army National Guard Black Hawk Modernization
>
> Immediate Action Required: Contact your Senators and urge them to
> sign on to
> Sen. Landrieu's letter to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the
> Armed
> Services and Appropriations Committees requesting additional funding
> for the
> National Guard to help modernize the National Guard H-60 Black Hawk
> fleet
>
>
> ________________________________
>
>
> The National Guard operates the oldest "A" model Black Hawks in the
> fleet.
> The average age of Army National Guard (ARNG) "A" model Black Hawks
> exceed 24
> years. When all shortages in Army National Guard formations are
> filled, more
> than 500 of the 786 Black Hawk helicopters in the ARNG will be older
> "A"
> models. "A" model Black Hawk helicopters have 1000 lbs less payload
> than
> newer "L" and "M" models, they are less effective operating at high
> altitudes, and more costly to maintain. High operational tempos in
> ARNG
> units, coupled with shortages of H-60 Black Hawks across the nation,
> are
> wearing out the National Guard H-60 fleet much faster than planned.
>
> Until last year the Army had no program in place to address the
> sustainment
> and modernization issues for the "A" model Black Hawk helicopter
> fleet.
> Thanks to the support of Congress, in April of 2008, the Army
> approved a
> program to fund UH-60A-A to UH-60L conversions at a rate of 38 per
> year over
> the next five years. However, even with this program in place, and
> with
> continued fielding of the new "M" model helicopters in accordance
> with the
> Army's plans, the Army will not divest itself of "A" model Black
> Hawks until
> 2023, when the average age of "A" model Black Hawks still flying
> will exceed
> 30 years.
>
> The ARNG wants to accelerate the pace of both the UH-60A-A to UH-60 L
> conversion and "M" model fielding to Army National Guard units. To
> facilitate
> this effort, Senator Mary Landrieu has initiated a letter to the
> Chairmen and
> Ranking Members of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees
> requesting additional funding for the National Guard to help
> modernize the
> National Guard H-60 Black Hawk fleet. Urge your Senators to
> demonstrate their
> support for the National Guard's efforts to fund these critical
> modernization
> efforts by signing on to this letter.
>
> TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTION:
>
> By using the "Write to Congress" feature on the NGAUS Web site at
> www.ngaus.org
> <http://capwiz.com/ngaus/utr/1/EVIQKDESWD/OMLSKDESYO/3097336411> ,
> you can
> immediately e-mail your Senators or Representative. A sample letter
> is
> included in our "Write to Congress" feature. You can e-mail the pre-
> written
> message or edit the sample letter as you desire. This is the
> quickest and
> most effective method of expressing your views to Congress. Also,
> contact
> your friends and family and urge them to "Write to Congress" as
> well. For
> more in-depth information and background visit our web site at: www.ngaus.org
> Please direct any questions concerning this issue to Rich Green, NGAUS
> Legislative Director at 202-408-5881 or via email: richard.green@ngaus.org
> .
>
>
> If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here
> <http://capwiz.com/ngaus/lmx/u/?jobid=120267735&queueid=3097336411> .
>
>
> <http://capwiz.com/ngaus/utr/i1/EVIQKDESWD/3097336411/img/capwizlogo.gif
> >
>

three key issues

The three key issues that MAG is working on this legislative session are as follows:

* House File (HF) 557-- Preference for Veteran Owned Small Businesses
* House File (HF) 558 -- 2nd Career Military Tax Subtraction
* Bill Draft for the Veterans' Preference in State Hiring/Firing

Minnesota continues to fall behind other states when it comes to supporting Veteran owned small businesses, 2nd career military tax subtraction and the veterans' preference in state hiring. The champion for HF557, HF558 and Veterans Preference is Rep. Severson. He has been very supportive on veteran issues and continues to work with MAG to correct Minnesota's stance on veteran legislation.

HF557 - Current law allows state purchasing authorities to give "targeted groups" up to 6% preference in bidding state contracts. Veteran owned businesses is one of those targeted groups that should be considered for state contract bids. Minnesota is not very supportive and does not give veteran owned businesses a fair chance to bid and receive state contracts. This bill will change the language of the law to give veteran owned businesses a leg up when it comes to state contracts. It would allow veteran owned businesses the opportunity to compete for state contracts they way the federal law was intended.

HF558 - Minnesota is one of only 5 states that taxes second career military pensions. Wisconsin is much more veteran tax friendly than Minnesota. We are losing many retirees to Wisconsin each year because they give veterans a much better tax break on their military pensions. HF 558 is designed to give 2nd career military professionals in Minnesota better tax breaks so that they stay in Minnesota. Wisconsin's 2nd career military population has increased at a rate 130% greater than in Minnesota from 2001-2007. Wisconsin's tax exemptions for 2nd career military have created a gap between Minnesota and Wisconsin. It has grown 10 million dollars to over 31 million dollars per year. MAG is trying to mirror the Wisconsin model in Minnesota and make Minnesota a more attractive state for military retirees.

Bill Draft for the Veteran Preference - Veterans' preference for Minnesota state jobs is not doing what it was originally intended to do. Veterans are supposed to get a preference when it comes to applying for state jobs. A veteran resume is supposed go to the top of the pile in the state hiring process. Veterans many times are not even having their resumes considered when they apply. Veteran employment in state agencies is declining more and more every year. This bill would guarantee veterans receive an interview by the hiring authority of state agencies and the Department of Administration would be mandated to collect the data and track the progress of the veterans' preference our state hiring process.

MAG Update

MAG Meeting Notes 26 Feb 09, 1200-1240 hrs, State Office Bldg, Rm
500N, Chip Laingen presided.

Short meeting, only about seven people in attendance. No talk of
National Guard issues directly, but indirectly through discussion of
veterans issues.

- Hiring of veterans for state jobs is decreasing by about 16%
overall since 2004 (see attachment)

o Why? Are there fewer veterans overall? But there should be
more National Guard veterans and they tend to stay in the state.

o Veterans coming off of active duty often go to school to use
their education benefits - do state educational institutions give
preferential tuition pricing to veterans like other students do? No.
Are we losing veterans to other states because of that?

o Anecdotally, someone asked the question of employers about
hiring veterans and at least one employer said, "where are they? We'd
hire them if they applied."

- There are currently two bills in the system to give veterans
preference in state contracts, HF 557 (Severson) and HF 715 (Newton).
HF 557 is the "good" bill because it gives preference to all veterans,
not just disabled veterans, and uses existing federal databases to
determine eligibility, eliminating the need for the State to set up
its own administrative process to do the same thing. Sponsors of the
two bills have been talking. It is likely that the wording of HF 557
will win out, but under the HF 715 label.

- Rep Dettmer is introducing a bill that will allow all disabled
veterans, not just MN citizens, to free entrance into MN State Parks.
Opposition is expected to be light, if any.

- There is a "Special Forces" training meeting Friday, Feb 27th
at 1000 hrs, Rm 300N, State Office Bldg

- UVLC meeting minutes are attached (and I think they're also on
their website - http://www.mnuvlc.org)

Scott Chambers

scottchambers@bigfoot.com
UVLC-Meeting-MInutes.pdf
Veteran-Employment-in-State-of-MN-Jobs.pdf

Contact your Representative

Support House Bill HF 0557 NOW!

Representative or Senator XXXXXXX

-Minnesota Veterans are returning home to the business they left
behind. Or they are starting new businesses. Yet they receive no
preference in competing for State contracts.

- Veteran Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service Disabled Veteran
Owned Businesses (SDVOSB) come from every part of our society.
Military service crosses all racial, gender and ethnic lines. But
these veterans have one common bond – they willingly sacrificed to
serve our country. And some will carry scars with them for the rest
of their lives.

-Helping veterans is nothing new. Federal law has given preference on
Federal contracts to VOSBs and SDVOSBs for several years. Why does
Minnesota continues to fall behind other states that are friendly to
Veteran-Owned Businesses? Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, Florida,
California have taken action to support Veteran-Owned Businesses.

-Please support the House Bill HF 0557 to bring us into the post-9/11 world.

-Currently, minority and woman-owned businesses receive a preference
when competing for contracts with the State of Minnesota. State law
allows purchasing authorities to give these 'targeted groups' up to a
six percent (6%) preference in bidding. Adding Veteran-Owned
Businesses will support this effort because minorities and women
comprise such a significant part of our military.

Not only is House Bill HF 0557 the right thing to do, it will boost
our economy by making Minnesota more competitive for billions of
Federal procurement dollars.

House Bill HF 0557 will create jobs.

Thank you. Minnesota's veterans look forward to your support.

Name
Address
Telephone number

MAG Special Forces Team

The MAG 'special forces' team is a group of MAG members that commit to meeting with representatives face to face at the state capital. Today, our special forces team member, 1LT John Hobot, had this to report:

We met today and went over our strategy on how we are going to get support
for the bill.  There will be talking points and themes put together for the
next MAG meeting.

Basically we are going to sell HF 558 as:
- A great way to create economic development and jobs for Minnesota.
- Creates an environment to create new opportunities for veterans.
- Veterans bring new skills and talents to our Minnesota workforce.
- Wisconsin is far more veteran friendly than Minnesota and we should model
HF 558 off of what Wisconsin is doing.