The Stick it to Veterans Stimulus

How America’s veterans are getting short changed by the economic stimulus

A quick reading of the economic stimulus quickly reveals a lack of interest in stimulation for America’s veterans. As of May, there are more unemployed veterans then we have had in decades. To be exact there are 1,045,000 unemployed veterans across the United States. Of those, 180,000 are OEF/OIF veterans.

What does that mean? Well, there are more unemployed Iraq and Afghanistan veterans then there are men and women serving in those wars. One would think that with America’s heroes returning home from war to fight another on unemployment, our nation’s lawmakers would go full hog to help them out. Not really. So what did veterans gain from the stimulus.

A $250.00 windfall--Don't spend it all it once.

and

In fairness, the only decent provision veterans did receive was provided by freshman Virginia Representative Glenn Nye, which provides a tax break for employers that hire recently separated servicemembers.

So where are we getting shortchanged?

In reading today’s Washington Post metro section I was disappointed to say the least.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/16/AR2009061603086.html

Two events are about to occur simultaneously. First, the State of Virginia is about to start issuing contracts for stimulus related projects. Once these companies receive these contracts they will start to employ individuals.

This my friends is where veterans receive the shaft. Currently, there are no Virginia specific laws that require companies receiving contracts to do anything for veterans, nor are there any requirements for these companies to do anything for veterans’ employment. But there are requirements for contractors receiving federal contracts. Additionally, 3 percent of all federal contracts are supposed to be awarded to small disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOSB’s). But wait, isn’t stimulus money federal money? It would seem that these same requirements should apply to this grant money.

Thanks for asking but—No!

Indeed, so our federal tax dollars that otherwise would provide employment and contract opportunities for veterans are being bypassed in the stimulus! Since stimulus funds are technically state grants, the states are not required to adhere to the federal veteran requirements even though the money is federal.

When approached for a fix many of our legislators turned their back/ear/leg in fear it would slow the rate of recovery—no worries over the skyrocketing unemployment numbers of veterans, particularly recently separated servicemembers.

In conclusion, Virginia lawmakers need to stipulate that all companies receiving stimulus dollars have a veteran employment preference for those projects. Also, 3 percent of all Virginia contracts and sub-contracts being funded by federal stimulus money ought to be set-aside for small disabled veteran owned businesses from Virginia.

Anything less is sticking it to Virginia Veterans!