Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal:
“We did some things on job creation in this state on making sure that the resources are there to provide for education and training of employees in this state to match the skills to the jobs that are out there and get thousands of Iowans back to work. So I’m pretty excited about some of the things we did for higher education and in particular community colleges. There are disappointments, there are disappointments in every session. I would have really loved to have gotten something done on commercial property taxes in this state. In the end we felt the plan that the Governor was advancing was one that would shift taxes to homeowners and we couldn’t go along with that.”

Video, audio and a transcript can be found at IPTV.

Parents of more than 10,000 Iowa children are serving in the military, and many more Iowa kids have a sibling, grandparent or other family member in the armed forces. In addition, Iowa kids are often affected by the deployment of a teacher, coach or other adult in their lives.

That’s why supporting our military kids and families is so important. Many educators and counselors attend Military Child Education Coalition training through the Army National Guard. And organizations like Early Childhood Iowa and Child Care Resource & Referral are spreading the word among childcare providers about the impact of deployment.

Operation Military Kids supports military youth and their families through a variety of initiatives, including:

** Mobilization Packets designed by military kids who’ve been through deployment. Packets include information and resources to help kids cope with the challenges of deployment. A grant from the American Legion of Iowa Foundation helps pay for the packets.

** Speak Out for Military Kids, a community service opportunity to train military and non-military youth to advocate for kids affected by deployment. Training helps young people develop communication, leadership and citizenship skills.

** Mobile Technology Lab, a computer lab that can be used by military kids to stay connected to their parent during a deployment. Kids can video tape a message, burn it to DVD, create a card and package the entire production for mailing. The labs can also be incorporated into community events that support military families.

To learn more about Operation Military Kid, go to http://tinyurl.com/Iowamilitarykids.

The US Air Force recently announced plans to remove 21 F-16 fighter jets from the 132nd Fighter Wing at the Des Moines Air National Guard base. The Air Force also recommends eliminating 459 positions within the Iowa unit as partof a broader reduction in defense spending. The proposal would result in the loss of 81 full-time jobs and 378 part-time military positions.

Senate Resolution 117 also requests the Air Force present a detailed analysis supporting its course of action. The Air Force’s proposal targets our country’s most cost-effective flying units, and their decision to make cuts lacks evidence about how it supports the national security strategy.

Department of Defense budget cuts ranging from $450 billion up to $1 trillion over the next decade will force each branch of the military service to re-examine its balance of forces in the active duty, guard and reserve branches.

Since 1941, the Iowa Air National Guard has been an integral part of our nation’s defense and our state’s emergency response system. The 132nd Fighter Wing has received many awards, including eight Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards, and has participated in actions and deployments around the globe since World War II.

This will make applying for veterans benefits more straightforward. Iowans must provide proof of veteran status when applying for or renewing their license or non-operator ID, which are expected to be available by July 1, 2013. The legislation, Senate File 2112, does not apply to replacement, duplicate or substitute licenses or cards.

SF 2112 now goes to the Governor for his signature.

This week, the Senate sent Senate File 2245 to the Governor for his signature. The bill establishes our state’s first “Post-Traumatic Stress and Dual Diagnosis Center” at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

It’s not unusual for soldiers who’ve been in combat to experience some level of post-traumatic stress. Expanded services will ensure they get the intensive, professional care they need close to home.

The 12- to 15-bed center, supported primarily by federal funds, will provide long-term care to Iowans suffering from combat-related post-traumatic stress and substance abuse. While existing treatment options are limited to 45 days, veterans will be able to receive more than six months of assistance at the new center.

Here are some other important steps we’ve taken so far this session to help Iowa veterans:

** SF 2007 ensures returning National Guard soldiers get promised college tuition assistance by investing an additional $1.3 million in the Iowa National Guard tuition assistance program.

** SF 2097 expands eligibility for the Iowa National Guard Civil Relief Act by reducing the required days of active duty from 90 to 30. That means our active duty soldiers won’t have to worry about lease termination, eviction, or the disconnection of gas, electric and other services. The legislation also requires a study on allowing military training to help Iowans qualify for professional or other occupational certifications.

** HF 2403 helps returning veterans qualify for jobs by allowing the Iowa Department of Transportation to waive the driving skills test for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) if a service member can prove related active-duty training. The applicant must still pass a knowledge skills test and have a safe driving record to receive a CDL.

** HF 2404 makes it easier for a veteran to receive a six-month extension of their Iowa driver’s license. The bill declares that a Department of Defense common access card is proof of current service, and a certificate of release from active duty is satisfactory evidence of previous service and honorable discharge.

** SF 2244 clarifies requirements for receiving a grant through the State’s Injured Veterans Grant program. A veteran must be seriously injured or very seriously injured, as defined by the U.S. Department of Defense.

** HF 2264 permits veterans and their spouses to be buried together if space is available in a government cemetery. Current law allows only a veteran to purchase an interment space and be interred within the cemetery.

** HF 2402 allows money in the Veterans Trust Fund to be used for loans to help build the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. The money will be paid back by federal grants, and the trust fund will not decrease.

The collection is housed at the  in Waterloo, which includes exhibits and educational programs. The additional $279,450 will allow the current collection of 1,200 video oral histories with veterans to expand to gather the stories of today’s returning soldiers.

To learn more about the veterans’ oral history project and the museum, go to www.groutmuseumdistrict.org/sullivan.

A more home-like atmosphere is the overall goal. The quality of life for residents is improving thanks to additional private bedrooms and baths, more natural light, and better accommodation of the changing needs of Iowa veterans and their family members.

An extensive on-site review by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs of major new construction at the Iowa Veterans Home resulted in a “perfect score.” That means veterans can start moving into the new residential buildings.

This year saw the highest total sales with the Iowa Lottery transferring $3.1 million to the state’s Veterans Trust Fund.

A few years ago, the Legislature directed the Iowa Lottery to introduce two new scratch games and two new pull-tab games each year with profits going to the Trust Fund. The Trust Fund, administered by the Commission of Veterans Affairs, helps Iowa veterans and their families in need of assistance.

The newest $1 games,  and “Bold & Brave,” are now on sale. All tickets that benefit veterans’ causes feature the Veterans Trust Fund logo in their design.

On January 31, Governor Branstad signed the first bill of the 2012 session. Senate File 2007 provides an additional $1.3 million to keep the state-funded National Guard Tuition Assistance for returning soldiers.

The first bill passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor this year will help our National Guard soldiers get the college tuition assistance they were promised.

When we learned that the dollars available for the Iowa National Guard tuition assistance program would fall short because of increased demand among returning soldiers, we invested an additional $1.3 million. Thebenefit to soldiers at Iowa’s universities will be up to $1,300 per semester in additional aid.

Helping Iowa’s returning soldiers attend college and improve their skills makes a lot of sense. We want these young people qualify for good jobs at good wages and help build a stronger Iowa economy.