Vets Rally Tuesday Stresses Need for Full Funding of Programs, Senator Urges Gov. Keating to Raise, Not Cut Funding

With veterans groups set to rally at the State Capitol Tuesday, State Senator Sam Helton renewed his call for Governor Keating not to pursue his proposed cut to veterans programs in the final weeks of the legislative session.

"I know the Governor is anxious to find money for other initiatives on his agenda, but I don't think we should be raiding the budget of the agency that cares for the men and women who served our country. If anything, our veterans need additional funding, not a budget cut," said Senator Sam Helton, chairman of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee.

Governor Keating proposed an 8 percent or $1.65 million cut to the state appropriation of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs when he issued his executive budget in February, prompting protests from Senator Helton, many other state legislators and veterans organizations.

Last month, the Governor did sign the Legislature's general appropriations bill that funded government services at the same level as last year, but a spokesman for the Governor's office made it clear that he would continue to push for veterans cuts in the final weeks of the session.

Senator Helton is hoping that the rally tomorrow will help persuade the Governor to leave veterans programs alone and possibly even increase their funding.

"I think it will be difficult to cut veterans after meeting with them personally and seeing the kind of sacrifices that they've made for us. I'm confident that Governor Keating will ultimately join with us in supporting a budget increase," said Senator Helton.

Before Governor Keating proposed his cut, the veterans department had actually requested a budget increase this year to address staff shortages in Oklahoma's six veterans centers. The agency has asked for $2.8 million in additional state funds to finance the hiring of 12 skilled nursing and rehabilitation workers, 15 support staff workers and 110 nursing assistants. The additional staff would bring Oklahoma to the standards of patient care established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

"We want to solve the staff problems we have in our veterans centers, not make them worse. If the Governor cuts veterans funding, we'll see the quality of care that veterans receive deteriorate. I don't see how anyone can do that in good conscience," said Senator Helton.

This isn't the first time Governor Keating has proposed a cut to veterans programs. During his first year in office in 1995, the Governor initially proposed a 6 percent reduction in veterans funding, but backed away from the proposal after heavy criticism from veterans organizations.

Senator Helton said tomorrow's rally provides the Governor with a perfect opportunity to pledge his support to veterans programs.

"It's my hope that when Governor Keating sees all of our veterans at the Capitol, he'll realize just how important it is to continue full state support of veterans programs. I know that they're not too happy about the Governor's proposed cuts and I'm sure they'll communicate that message to
him," said Senator Helton.