Aid for vets buying homes passes

Legislature pumps money into fund, Vilsack supports bill
by Aimee Tabor

State lawmakers in both houses unanimously approved Wednesday injecting another $2 million into a veterans home buyers assistance program.

Legislators approved the additional money after the program, approved last year, ran out of money. Besides the $2 million for the home buyers program, the bill includes $1 million toward an Iowa injured veterans program.

State Reps. Dave Heaton, RMount Pleasant, and Jodi Tymeson, RWinterset, and who is also a brigadier general in the Iowa Army National Guard, pushed to get the legislation passed in the House.

“I told her about the emails I’ve been receiving from my constituents,” Heaton said. “Some were counting on buying houses when they got back and were concerned because they were told the money was gone. They asked us if we could do anything about it.”

During the opening day of the session, Heaton vowed he would make getting additional funding for the program a priority. The program enables veterans to get up to $5,000 in assistance. In turn, they put up a matching amount to buy a home…

Heaton said he’s pleased the bill passed for the two programs and said it shows veterans that the state is working for them.

“These two programs are very important to our veterans who served in Iraq,” Heaton said. “It helps these people stay in Iowa.”

Sen. Tom Courtney, DBurlington, said he’s pleased and is supportive of the legislation. The Senate Democrats also are working on several veterans initiatives that the party is hoping will get passed this year.

Some of the initiatives Courtney said the Democrats are working on include increasing staff support for the Iowa Veterans Home and the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs at Camp Dodge, completing the Iowa National Veterans Cemetery, allowing nonprofit veterans service organizations to host social gambling fundraisers, helping disabled veterans who aren’t eligible for VA funding with home modifications, providing a no fee Gold Star license plate and increasing the individual veterans’ property tax exemption.

Many of the initiatives are shared by the Republicans. Iowa Senate Copresident Jeff Lamberti, RAnkeny, announced on Wednesday several initiatives he would like to see passed for veterans. At the top of his list is dedicating $25 million toward various veterans programs such as the veterans trust fund.

Some of the other initiatives he would like to see instituted include freezing property taxes for the primary home of a disabled veteran, fully funding the military property tax credit and creating a tax exemption for the costs incurred by active duty members of the National Guard and Reserves for buying life insurance, a press release from Lamberti’s office stated.

Courtney said he feels both Democrats and Republicans are working on veterans issues to show the men and women who serve that Iowa does care. He remembers when he served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era that there were a lot of people who criticized military people for serving.

“I think everyone wants to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Courtney said. “These people don’t get paid much in the service and they put their lives on the line. These are small things we’re doing as our way of saying thanks to the veterans. Everyone feels we ought to be doing all we can for those folks that serve for us.”

Gov. Tom Vilsack praised the move by the Legislature and said he is looking forward to working on other shared priorities.

“The bill passed today by members of the Legislature reflects some shared priorities in the area of supporting and caring for Iowa veterans,” Vilsack said in a statement. “All Iowans should be proud of the swift, bipartisan action legislators took in ensuring secure futures for the men and women who have bravely served our country. Iowa veterans will now have increased financial security and the opportunity to share in the American dream by acquiring their own homes.”

Rep. Dennis Cohoon, DBurlington, said he’s pleased the Legislature passed the home buyers assistance and the injured veterans programs.

“I’m pleased we are providing additional resources to help veterans and their families purchase homes,” Cohoon said. “The home ownership program has been very successful and there are many families who still need assistance.”

Republican Speaker of the House Christopher Rants, of Sioux City, agreed.

“Our servicemen and women spend time away from their families to rebuild countries, so it’s fitting we help them build their own homes,” he said.

Cohoon said Vilsack first proposed the injured veterans program last week. The money would be used to help veterans injured in combat since Sept. 11, 2001.

“We have an obligation to make sure that veterans injured in the line of duty have the support they need and deserve,” Cohoon said. “Far too many of our veterans are struggling to pay their bills while they recover from injuries.”