Report

Online Only (Meeting at Building 9, VAMC Campus)

• Call to order – 09:30, Invocation – Pledge of Allegiance
• Greetings: Recognition of visitors and guests
• Announcements – Jerry Kyser, Chair; Mike Rivard, Vice Chair
• Introducing Jacob Warkentin with Congressman Stauber’s office.
• The next UVLC meeting will be held virtually on March 17th at 9:30 AM.

Federal Congressional Representatives and Senators

Senator Amy Klobuchar – Kurt Johnson

Not present.

Senator Tina Smith – Alex Schueller reporting

• Bills from previous congressional sessions are on deck to be reintroduced, including the Atomic Veterans Bill. The committee is also working on a larger toxic exposure bill and plan to host discissions about the Atomic Veterans Bill. Smith also plans to reintroduce the Hearing and Tinnitus Bill.
• For legislative asks or casework issues, feel free to reach out directly to Alex Scheuller.
• Smith signed onto a letter regarding the end of the VA copay moratorium. Veterans have been reporting issues to their caseworkers. The VA has indicated there is no way to erase those debts completely, but they have indicated a willingness to work with veterans on a one-off basis. We continue to monitor the situation. Feel free to contact Alex Scheueller to discuss specific cases.

Senator Bruce Anderson reporting

• Senator Howe has presented a bill on veterans’ jobs income tax credits. Senator Lange has presented a bill that would allow up to 50% of veterans’ organizations like the VFW to allow some of their gross profits to be used for the repair, maintenance, and improvement of their property. This has passed out of committee, but there was some pushback.
• The three veterans homes in Bemidji, Preston, and Montevideo missed the cutoff last year for funding. It is unclear whether they met the cut this year. The administrator for Capital Investment indicated that the homes needed to reapply for an extension by the end of 2022.
• There will be a Veterans Committee Meeting on February 18th at 8:30 AM.

1st District Representative – Jim Hagedorn – Joe Steck

Not present.

2nd District Representative – Angie Craig – Mike Siebenaler

Not present.

3rd District Representative – Dean Phillips – Rollie Olson

Not present.

4th District Representative – Betty McCollum – Connie Haddeland reporting

• The VA has placed a moratorium on mortgages and forbearances and extended a moratorium on individuals who have individuals who have bills with the VA until June.
• The House has continued to work on the COVID Relief Act legislation.
• There has been a call out from veterans organizations and the VA for veterans who served in certain eras to register on the Burn Pit Registry with the Health Administration of the VA. Veterans do not need to be patients at the VA to place themselves on the registry. Prominent legislation acting on the registry will be forthcoming this year.
• We are waiting for the service academy candidates to get their appointment offers. Thus far, it is unclear how the spring academy information night will be handled.

Q. Does the new VA director have any different directives?
A. I don’t know his directives. I can find you a list of recent statements. He never served in the military but has extensive clinical experience.

5th District Representative – Ilhan Omar – Akolade Gbadamosi

Not present.

6th District Representation – Tom Emmer – Alejandra Henriquez

Not present.

7th District Representative – Michelle Fischbach –Craig Bishop

Not present.

8th District Representative – Pete Stauber – Jacob Warkentin

• Introducing Jacob Warkentin with Congressman Stauber’s office. He will be taking the lead with veterans issues within the district.

Federal Agencies

VISN 23 – Ron Woolery reporting

• All eight VISN facilities recently conducted vaccination clinics around their communities. Overall, VISN 23 vaccinated 13,966 veterans in three days. Most facilities are providing vaccinations seven days a week.

VBA Regional Office – Kim Graves – Jessica Gillette reporting

• The regional office opened back up to the public on January 21st. Thus far, approximately 72 veterans have come into public contact. Hearings have started up again and the first one has been scheduled for February 22nd. All safety precautions are in place when veterans enter the building, including plexiglass and mask requirements.
• There are new presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure, including Parkinson’s, bladder cancer, and hypothyroidism. We encourage veterans to file these claims to preserve their effective date, though are not processing them at this time as we wait for final procedural guidance.
• The acting undersecretary for benefits is Tom Murphy. He currently serves as the director of the northeast district.

Mpls VA HCS – Director Patrick J. Kelly – Brad Doboszenski reporting

• The Minneapolis VA has given out 30,874 vaccinations since the distribution program officially started. Minneapolis delivered 5,088 doses over 13th and 14th alone. We have also stepped up our contact program.
• The first congressional CBSO update will be held on February 18th.
• The Albert Lee CBOC will be reopened soon. It was initially scheduled for March 1st, but the final date has not been set yet. There will be a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony.

Q. Does the VA supply veterans in the veterans homes, or is that a state responsibility?
A. That is a state responsibility right now.

St Cloud VA HCS – David Hintgen reporting

• Our vaccinations clinics are running seven days a week. Over 200 vaccinations were given out on February 15th and the number continues to grow. Over half of the staff has been vaccinated and 7,000 total doses have been given out. We are currently working on the age 75 and old age bracket, as well as those with serious health conditions. Veterans must be enrolled in VA healthcare to be eligible for a vaccine.
• President Biden issued an executive order further deferring VA copayments. We are waiting for further guidance about how long that deferral will last. Please reach out directly for more information, or to set up waivers.

Ft Snelling Cemetery – John Knapp reporting

• We have conducted 1,697 burials for the fiscal year to date. Recently, approximately 35,000 wreathes were removed after they had been placed for the holiday season. Due to COVID restrictions, only 10 family members can attend services. We are working to increase that number and believe we will be able to do so in the coming week. Please watch the Facebook page for announcements.
• It is unclear whether or not there will be a full ceremony for Memorial Day. It was held virtually last year.
• The 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War will be held on March 29th. Public attendance will be limited, but the ceremony will be posted online.

Q. Do you still do rifle salutes?
A. We brought that back at the end of summer. The rifle team is limited to ten members. Approximately 70% have received their shots. When 100% have been vaccinated, that metric could change. Regardless, all veterans who are buried will receive an honor service.

Q. Can the public access the location to look up where an individual is buried within the cemetery?
A. The public information center is open to the public 24/7. However, the public does not have the ability to go in and talk to the staff during the day. Due to COVID, we ask that all conversations be conducted over the phone.

State Agencies and MN Veteran Assistance Organizations

MN Dept of Veteran Affairs – Larry Herke – Ben Johnson and Douglas Hughes reporting

• MDVA’s policy initiatives have all been heard by at least one side of the house. There are a number of technical corrections. The three deadlines have been announced for the legislature: March 12th, March 19th, and April 9th. Our initiatives are on track to meet those hearing deadlines.
• MN DVA will present the agency budget on March 4th at 8:30 AM to the Senate Veteran Affairs and Military Affairs Committee, following the forthcoming February forecast.
• MDVA’s COVID response for MN Veteran homes include mandatory screening, contract tracing, limitations on non-essential visitors, expanding use of PPE and disinfectant products, scheduled testing, and vaccinations. We are working seven days a week to keep up with the changing regulations from the MN Department of Health and the CDC.
• Executive Order 203 puts the MN veterans homes into a peacetime emergency and provides MDVA to make admission and other changes. It also allows MDVA to provide some staff meals to help maintain morale.
• To date, 29 veterans home residents across the state have died from COVID-19 in Minneapolis Fergus Falls, and Silver Bay. There have been no positive tests for residents in Luverne or in the domiciliary program. The Adult Day program has been temporarily closed. The telehealth program has improved, and we hope to continue making strides post-COVID.
• We have hosted daily strategy calls with all of the homes to review policy and procedures.
• We are hesitant to judge outbreaks at other care homes until we have all the facts.
• MDVA has implemented a number of programs to help employees during COVID with various issues, including with school closures.
• To date, MDVA has received ten million dollars of COVID relief funds. However, we currently have a –$7,295,000 balance. Thankfully we had a budget surplus and are able to continue functioning.
• The total salary and benefits cost through January 19, 2021 is $8,472,981. This represents approximately 10% of the employee budget. Non-salary expenditures through January 19, 2021 totaled $4,663,350 include PPE and COVID-19 testing.
• Approximately 90% of residents and 70% of staff have been vaccinated.
• As of February 17th, only one staff member has currently tested positive, and no residents have tested positive.

MN Military Affairs – Shawn Manke TAG – LTC Jason Hull reporting

• The Moms Leave Act passed, which provides traditional Guard mothers paid maternity leave and retirement points.
• A reserve component of the Space Force was established as part of the NDA. The Reserve will also participate in Space Force operations in the future.
• The MN National Guard supported the presidential inauguration. Nearly 750 soldiers and Airmen went out to Washington, DC.
• The 133rd Airlift Wing C-130 mission is in jeopardy. The Airforce is looking to reduce the total aircraft inventory of C-130s from 300 down to 255. The Airforce will review a Mission Requirements Survey accomplished by Transcom. The study identifies how many aircraft are required. The last study was conducted in 2018 and stated that 300 total C-130s were needed to support operations through 2023. The Air Force wants to fund additional weapons systems and modernize others. The C-130 fleet is not scheduled for updates or modernization. We are concerned the Air Force will remove the C-130s from the 133rd Airlift Wing. This would impact three or four units across the country, including the 133rd.

Q. That evaluation was prior to the pandemic. This should be factored into the discussion.
A. That’s a good point. There is a 2020 MCRS due to be completed this spring that we hope will reflect more favorable numbers to support domestic and international operations.

Q. We would like the TAG to come to our face-to-face UVLC meetings in the future.
A. We will do our best.

Q. Do you have any more MN National Guard members at the present time?
A. Yes, but they are not supporting the fallout from the presidential inauguration. A cyber network has been deployed to support operations on the Title 10 side.

MN Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) – Neal Loidolt – Jon Lovald reporting

• There are currently 275 people on the MN Homeless Veterans Registry, down from 300 at January’s meeting. There are two continuums of care out of the ten that are close to declaring a functional zero. That would just leave Hennepin and Ramsey county.

MN Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) – Ray Douha reporting

• We are funded by the US Department of Labor’s Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) to work with MN businesses and case managers to promote the hiring of veterans. DEED works with the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program (DVOP) to specially help disabled veterans.
• Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER) work with businesses and employers to ensure they are aware of existing resources and services to help them hire and retain veterans.
• DEED Career Force gives all veterans and their spouses priority of service.
• We work closely with justice involved veterans, women veterans, homeless veterans, and Native American veterans. We work with community partners to better serve veterans who are facing an increased amount of isolation and economic uncertainty. We do have concerns about fatigue and isolation both within communities and for the veterans themselves.
• The 15th Annual Veterans Career Fair will be held in July. We hope the COVID restrictions will allow for an in-person event.
• We currently provide virtual services to veterans at www.careerforcemn.com/veterans.
• Executive Order 19-20 directs MN Military Affairs, MDVA, DEED, and MN Management and Budget to ensure that MN was turned into a veteran-friendly state in terms of hiring, recruiting, and retention in the workforce.

Military Action Group (MAG) – Jerry Kyser reporting

• Representative Dettmer noted the Veterans Labor and Finance committee will be meeting virtually on February 17th at 3:00 PM.
• The next MAG meeting will be March 8th.

Disabled American Veterans –Trent Dilks reporting

• There used to be a Day on the Hill which had people coming in from all over the state to talk to the legislators. We will not be hosting that event this year. In the past, over a thousand people were in attendance.
• We will host a digital event on April 11th. There will also be a Call to Action on our radio show. This year, we will also be contacting the federal legislators in addition to the state.
• Information will be available on the DAV website and on the appropriate mailing lists.

Q. Is the veterans legislative agenda available to review?
A. We are still working on the details. It will be out shortly, as will the federal agenda.

MN CVSO – Greg Peterson reporting

• We are preparing for the annual joint training conference in spring with MDVA. Recent changes in the muscular skeletal rating criteria will be discussed.
• MN CVSO recently wrote a letter to Representative Mike Sundin for HF 381, where the author wanted to remove the definition of a veteran that is required to get the word “veteran” placed on a driver’s license. We felt the definition should be more specific.
• The annual fall conference will start on September 13th.
• We are working to help local veterans in Brown County get on a COVID vaccination list.

Vets for Peace –Arlys Herem – Jeff Roy reporting

• The Save Our VA national campaign is to save, strengthen, and expand the excellent VA healthcare provided to veterans through activism, legislative analysis, policy education, and mass organizing of veterans and veteran supporters. Vets for Peace works closely with Save Our VA and the AFG union members, both professional and technical, to support their aspirations and to protect the VA from being further privatized. We are trying to raise awareness in the Twin Cities and across the state about these issues.
• March 13th is the Save Our VA townhall chaired by Susan Gordon, an analyst for the Veterans Healthcare Policy Institute. Please contact royjeff48@gmail.com for more information.

MN Humanities Center – Blake Rondeau

• Not present.

Paralyzed Veterans of America – Todd Kemery

• Not present.

Project Got Your Back / MNME – Paul Davis reporting

• We continue to focus on our navigator program, which is designed to find, funnel, and connect veterans with available resources throughout the state. The program is not ready to launch but we are making good progress. The background CRM technology is nearly complete and identified 20 beta navigators and clients. The website is nearing completion. Storyboards and videos to explain the program and further outreach efforts are also underway. The first beta navigators and clients should be ready by April 1. We continue to leverage our MNME network. Some partial funding will be coming in May, but we are still looking for additional funding opportunities.

MN Military Museum – Randal Dietrich reporting

• The next post-9/11 roundtable will be held on February 22nd. More information is available on mnmilitarymuseum.org.
• We are working closely with MDVA on the post-9/11 project with the state 9/11 and Global War on Terrorism Remembrance taskforce. The next meeting will be on February 17th at 2:00 PM.

MN Historical Society – Chris Belland reporting

• We are still in the planning stages for the upcoming season. We plan to be open. Construction is proceeding on the new visitor’s center.

Q. When will the visitor’s center be open?
A. Staff offices will be open late summer or fall, with the full reopening in 2022.

BHMC – Tiffany Kovaleski reporting

• We are working toward Wellness in Nature for everyone that is military connected. There will be a quarterly meeting with all public lands to get service members, veterans, and their families out of the house and out into public lands in a way that is COVID safe to increase their physical, spiritual, and mental health. The DNR lands do not offer free resources to service members, only to a limited number of veterans. We are hoping to change that.

MN Medal of Honor Memorial – Tiffany Kovaleski reporting

• All funds have been raised and construction bids are out. We plan to break ground this spring and be done in October 2021. The memorial will be directly under the Veterans Services building at the front entrance of the capital mall.