Governor Holcomb:
The Military / Veterans Coalition of Indiana (TMVCI), a coalition of over 100 organizations who support those serving in our military, those who have served and their families, request you intervene on behalf of Hoosier veterans and their families to prevent a wrong from happening in the current Indiana General Assembly.
The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) has filed an agency bill (SB 316 and HB 1264) that has provisions that we strongly oppose. Specifically, in section 4. IC 10-17-12-9, the addition of language that permits IDVA to recoup administrative expenses from the Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) for staff, technology, and other administrative items up to “15%” of the fund’s annual average revenue. This fund is exclusively used to help honorably discharged Hoosier veterans who meet eligibility requirements established in Indiana Code that are in need. This equates to over $270K that would not be available to assist over 110 Hoosier veterans. Director Dennis Wimer, at our suggestion, presented a draft of his agency bill at our January 8, 2021 meeting. He further indicated that funds were needed because he has been directed by you to revert 15% of his operating budget. This directive places IDVA in a position where they will be required to reduce and limit the support and services to Hoosier Veterans TMVCI strongly believes that IDVA services are critical to veterans and in these economic and pandemic times are most needed. Cutting IDVA’s budget is the wrong thing to do.