Lotto program benefiting veterans faces diversion of funds

[white cloud]

Veterans Stabbed in the back again.


Lotto program benefiting veterans faces diversion of funds
Posted Wednesday, Apr. 06, 2011

By Chris Vaughn

[email protected]

Beginning in 2009, Texans could start buying scratch-off lottery tickets that did something unusual amid all the convenience store offerings -- support a specific program.

The $2 Veterans Cash game supports the Fund for Veterans' Assistance, which issues grants to nonprofits around the state to provide counseling, transportation, housing and child care for veterans and their families. It is the only game in the state with dedicated revenue, a measure supported enthusiastically two years ago by some in the North Texas legislative delegation.

But the budget crisis has arrived even to the Veterans Cash scratch-off game.

Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, a former naval officer, inserted a rider into the Senate budget bill that would divert some of that grant money from the Fund for Veterans' Assistance to cover budget cuts within the Texas Veterans Commission.



Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/04/06/2981040/lotto-program-benefiting-veterans.html#ixzz1Iq700V1H

[dkf]

1. But it's still going to provide services for Veterans.

The question is whether Veterans would be better served by whatever the funds provided for in the past or the services that are being cut.

[sonias]

2. The only class of protected people in Texas are the rich

And if they rich are also politicians - double bonus - double protection. :puke:

Looks like Senator Wendy Davis is trying to reverse some of the damage caused by Ogden:

The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations unanimously passed a bill from Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, that would prohibit revenue from the lottery tickets to be used for state employee salaries. That bill would allow the lottery money to be spent only on grants.

Thank you Senator Davis!

:applause::applause::applause:

[white cloud]

3. Budget fix shouldn’t pit vets against vets

By Sen. Carlos Uresti

Senate Bill 1739 represents a good example of a dilemma — defined as a choice between two undesirable outcomes.

Since its debut on Veterans Day in 2009, the Veterans Cash scratch-off lottery game has generated some $11 million. This money has kept veterans from being kicked out of their homes and funded special courts for troubled vets who have run afoul of the law.

It is money well spent, and every time a Texan buys a Veterans Cash ticket, they are helping those who served and sacrificed.


snip>>>>>>

Let’s leave the scratch-off revenue alone. That money has kept veterans in their homes and out of jails through alternative court programs. And given the vital work of the commission’s claims’ administrators, we can find the $2.8 million elsewhere in the budget to keep them on the job.

Texas veterans made a choice to serve our country, keeping us strong, independent and free. Now, as state legislators, it’s our turn to make a choice about supporting our veterans. There should be no dilemma in that.



http://blog.mysanantonio.com/texas-politics/2011/04/budget-fix-shouldnt-pit-vets-against-vets/

[sonias]

4. Great OpEd!

Thank you Senator Uresti. Someone who recognizes that this shift of money from the lottery game is actually a cut in services.

So the dilemma becomes clear. Either way, veterans lose out.

The only way the Veterans don't lose is to leave this lottery money allocation alone and not cut the money to the veterans commission either.

Texas veterans made a choice to serve our country, keeping us strong, independent and free. Now, as state legislators, it’s our turn to make a choice about supporting our veterans. There should be no dilemma in that.

:patriot: