Posts Tagged ‘Jody Wagner’
WAGNER ANNOUNCES VETERANS STEERING COMMITTEE; UNVEILS VETERANS POLICY HONORARY CHAIR SENATOR JIM WEBB
RICHMOND – Today, at an event held in Richmond, 100 veterans endorsed Jody Wagner for Lt. Governor, citing her commitment to fighting for Virginia’s veterans and military families. Also at the event, Wagner unveiled her “Contract with Virginia Veterans,” a detailed set of policy proposals aimed at aiding Virginia veterans and their families.
Wagner said “I’m deeply honored to have the support of these 100 veterans, all of whom have given so much for our Commonwealth and Nation. Their sacrifices have helped to preserve and strengthen our fundamental freedoms and rights, and I strongly believe that it is our duty to ensure that they receive the help and support that is so deeply deserved. As Lt. Governor, I will work with these veterans, with current active duty personnel, and with members of both parties to ensure the needs of veterans in Virginia are met in the coming years. The military plays a critical role in the Commonwealth, anchoring our economy while providing hundreds of thousands of jobs. The next Lieutenant Governor must work to continue strengthening that relationship, and I will fulfill the duties of the office by attending the meetings of the Virginia Military Advisory Council.”
The Virginia Military Advisory Council is comprised of active duty commanders at Virginia military installations, as well as elected officials from both parties. The Commission plays a critical role in maintaining the close relationship between the Commonwealth and the military. Though the Lieutenant Governor is a member of the Council, Bill Bolling has failed to attend a single meeting for which minutes are available.
Wagner’s “Contract with Virginia Veterans,” which is available here, contains six specific policy ideas, including:
-Establishing two additional veterans care facilities in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia -Fully funding the Wounded Warriors Program -Emphasize the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Service Organizations -Implement the “TurboVet” portal -Ensure in-state tuition for the children of service members and veterans -Make the Southwest Virginia Cemetery a reality
WAGNER CALLS FOR FLEXIBILITY FOR GI BILL RECIPIENTS
Today, Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor Jody Wagner called on colleges and universities in Virginia to maintain a flexible policy toward recipients of GI Bill grants in the coming weeks, many of whom have yet to receive their benefits. The GI Bill, championed by Senator Jim Webb, provides education funding for hundreds of thousands of recent veterans across the country. However, the program has been so successful that there’s currently a backlog of over 210,000 claims that have yet to be processed. With classes starting at many schools in the next two weeks-and final tuition bills due-many veterans could find themselves without the funds they need to remain registered.
Said Wagner, “The expanded GI Bill fulfills an important obligation we have to our veterans, that has been met successfully for generations: help them get the education and career training that they deserve. With thousands of veterans in Virginia still waiting on their benefits to arrive, I would strongly encourage our state colleges and universities in the Commonwealth to work with veterans and identify individuals who should be given extensions on their tuition dues. After all these men and women have done for our country, their focus in the coming days and weeks should be on their new classes-not whether they’ll be forced to withdraw because of an administrative snafu.”
The expanded GI Bill, signed into law last year, pays for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to attend in-state public colleges at no cost to them. They can also apply the funds towards the cost of an out-of-state or private college.