The Joint Conference Committee, which will decide which version of the CVSO budget proposal goes into the Legislature's final budget, will soon be deciding whether to approve or reject an increase for CVSO's (see e-mail update at bottom of this message). The Senate proposed $0 for CVSO's and the Assembly proposed $3 million for CVSO's. We want the Conference Committee to adopt the Assembly version.
Veterans statewide should call, fax, or e-mail the members of the Conference Committee and register their support for the Assembly's proposal to allocate $3 million for the County Veterans Service Officers.
The members of the Joint Conference Committee and their contact information is attached. We recommend that veterans contact all 6 members via phone, fax, or e-mail.
Also attached is a sheet you can fax, e-mail, or use as talking points.
Remember to include or say your full name, where you live, and that you are a veteran! They do not count support from anonymous people. You can state your veterans affiliation if you wish (AMVETS, Legion, VFW, VVA, etc).
Pete Conaty
Pete Conaty & Associates
1107 9th Street, Suite 530
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-492-0550
916-492-8957 fax
916-768-8940-cell
http://www.peteconaty.com
Suggested Letter:
May 28, 2013
Honorable Members of the Joint Conference Committee on the Budget
California State Legislature
State Capitol
Sacramento CA 95814
RE: SUPPORT ASSEMBLY VERSION: $3 MILLION AUGMENTATION INCREASE TO COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE
OFFICERS. (8955, CA DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS)
Dear Joint Conference Committee Member:
I am a veteran. Please approve the Assembly’s version of the proposal to increase the state funding for County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO’s) by $3 million. This will bring total state funding to CVSO’s to $5.6 million.
This funding will help the CVSO’s to assist more California veterans obtain their federal benefits. CVSO’s brought about $350 million in new federal monies to the state last year. With this increase in funding, the CVSO’s could reach out to and qualify more veterans for their federal benefits. This money is spent in the local economies and directs veterans to the appropriate federal programs. This relieves pressure on state and local programs.
The Assembly proposed to allocate the $3 million increase to CVSO’s. The Senate did not propose an increase. Please adopt the Assembly’s version.
ASSEMBLY BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE #4-STATE ADMINISTRATION ADOPTED PROPOSAL (5-21-13):
Increase funding to County Veterans Service Offices. To further assist veterans in filing claims, it is necessary to finally augment state funding for CVSOs to allow these important organizations the ability to increase positions, outreach and productivity. Combined with improved training from Cal Vet, these offices are poised to dramatically improve their efforts to help veterans. This proposal would provide a $3 million augmentation to CVSOs, bringing total state funding to CVSOs to $5.6 million.
Sincerely,
-Your name
-Your full address
-What veterans organization you belong to.
Download
Word Doc: http://www.vvacalsc.com/files/letter_support_cvso_increase.doc or
RTF: http://www.vvacalsc.com/files/ltr_cvso_legis.rtf
Plain Text: http://www.vvacalsc.com/files/letter_support_cvso_increase.txt
- Joint Conference Committee Member Capitol Office Phone # Capitol Office Fax # District Office Phone # District Office Fax # E-mail
SENATOR MARK LENO (D-SAN FRANCISCO) (CHAIR, SENATE BUDGET CMTE) 916-651-4011 916-445-4722 415-557-1300 415-557-1252 senator.leno@senate.ca.gov
SENATOR BILL EMMERSON (R-REDLANDS) (VICE-CHAIR, SENATE BUDGET CMTE) 916-651-4023 916-327-2272 909-801-5040 909-466-4180 senator.emmerson@sen.ca.gov
SENATOR KEVIN DELEON (D-LOS ANGELES) (CHAIR, SENATE APPROPRIATIONS CMTE) 916-651-4022 916-327-8817 213-483-9300 213-483-9305 senator.deleon@senate.ca.gov
ASSEMBLYMAN BOB BLUMENFIELD (D-WOODLAND HILLS) (CHAIR, ASSEMBLY BUDGET CMTE) 916-319-2045 916-319-2145 818-904-3840 818-904-0764 assemblymember.blumenfield@assembly.ca.gov
ASSEMBLYMAN JEFF GORRELL (R-CAMARILLO) (VICE CHAIR, ASSEMBLY BUDGET CMTE) 916-319-2044 916-319-2144 805-230-9167 805-230-9183 assemblymember.gorell@asm.ca.gov
ASSEMBLYMAN MIKE GATTO (D-BURBANK) (CHAIR, ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS CMTE 916-319-2043 916-319-2143 818-558-3043 818-558-3042 assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov
