Pennsylvania Senate Budget Plan Would Wreak Havoc on Veterans Home System

Pennsylvania Senate Budget Plan Would Wreak Havoc on Veterans Home System,
Displace Nearly 300 Vets

Proposal Puts Operation of, Plans for Pennsylvania National Guard Facilities
in Jeopardy

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — A budget passed recently by
Senate Republicans could displace nearly 300 veterans and possibly force one
of Pennsylvania’s six veterans homes to close, Adjutant General Jessica L.
Wright warned today, adding that the proposal could also have devastating
implications for the Pennsylvania National Guard, a 19,000-member force that
now has approximately 6,000 soldiers and airmen deployed around the world.     "The Senate budget proposal does a great disservice to veterans who bravely
served this nation, as well as our National Guard troops serving now. At a
time when so many people are struggling, including veterans and families of
deployed soldiers, cutting funds that provide much needed help to those who
have served is the wrong course of action," said Wright, commander of the
Pennsylvania National Guard.

"The Senate’s plan would leave us with no other option but to cut services at
our veterans homes. That could mean closing a smaller home or closing off a
wing and curtailing services in at least two homes, which would mean that many
as 297 beds that are now occupied by veterans or their spouses would no longer
be available. We shouldn’t leave veterans to fend for themselves, as the
Senate’s plan would have us do with this budget," said Wright.

Senate Bill 850, which passed that chamber last week along a party line vote,
cuts $7.6 million in funds to the veterans homes. The state’s six homes
provide services to about 1,600 veterans and their spouses.

Cuts of this magnitude would also trigger the loss of $5.9 million in federal
funds that support the homes because Pennsylvania receives a per diem from the
federal government for every eligible veteran in the homes. The state would
also have to pay money back to the federal government if it closes or curtails
operation at a home that was built with state and federal funds.

"Closing or curtailing veterans homes would be a difficult, expensive and
heart-wrenching process," Wright said. "From the standpoint of veterans’
services and fiscal prudence, this type of cut will not reap the intended
benefits. Cost savings will be illusory."

Under the plan proposed by Senate Republicans, more than $2.5 million is also
cut from the state’s funding share of Pennsylvania National Guard operations.
The federal government pays for the majority of each state’s National Guard
unit, but states must also contribute.

Maintaining operations at Guard facilities located in more than 90
Pennsylvania communities would be in jeopardy, as well, Wright said.

"Without adequate support for operating and maintaining our readiness centers,
or armories, we would have to close some facilities," Wright said. "This would
have a devastating effect on the Pennsylvania National Guard’s ability to
perform its state and federal mission."

The Senate’s cuts will also adversely impact state residents by:
    —  Delaying or killing the commonwealth’s efforts to establish a joint
        interagency installation on Navy property at Willow Grove in
Montgomery
        County.
    —  Removing funds needed to increase the Fort Indiantown Gap police force
        at a time when security needs to be improved at the 17,000-acre
facility
        in Lebanon County.
    —  Forcing the closure of regional veterans’ services offices in
        Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. As of April 1, these offices have
generated
        more than $50 million in new compensation and pension awards for
        veterans and their beneficiaries during this fiscal year.

    —  Eliminating a supplemental life-insurance program for deployed troops.

"Senate Bill 850 takes the wrong approach when it comes to support for the
Pennsylvania National Guard and support for Pennsylvania veterans," Wright
said. "It clearly threatens the longstanding partnership between the Governor,
the General Assembly, the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, our
soldiers, airmen and their families and our veterans."

    CONTACT:  Kevin Cramsey
    717-861-8352