Governor Rell To Boost Veterans’ Benefits and

Services in Budget Proposal

Governor Proposes Tuition Waiver for Spouses and Children of Those Killed in Action and New Support Programs for Returning Veterans

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that her proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2009 will increase benefits and services for Connecticut veterans, including tuition waivers at the state’s public colleges and universities for children and spouses of persons killed in action after September 11, 2001. 

In the budget she proposes February 6th, the Governor will also include $250,000 in funding to coordinate and streamline support services and programs for veterans returning from active duty. Governor Rell noted that the funding for support services for returning vets is designed to assure that the highest quality of care and support is available for members of the military returning home after deployment.  More than 16,500 citizens from Connecticut have been deployed since September 11, 2001.

Returning veterans face physical and emotional challenges that range from injuries, to re-assimilating with their families, to dealing with their experiences overseas. The $250,000 will fund a working group comprised of state and federal military and veterans’ organizations that will conduct assessments of unmet veterans’ needs and work to ensure that members of the military and their families receive all the benefits and services available to them.

 “Our veterans give more to our state and nation than we can ever repay and honoring those who do not return by helping their survivors is a commitment we can and must make,” Governor Rell said.  “We must continually seek to find ways to help our veterans and their families – and especially families who have lost a parent or spouse to war.  Their sacrifices are enormous and we must do everything in our power to show our appreciation and support for these heroes.”

The tuition waivers will apply at the University of Connecticut, the four State Universities and Connecticut’s community colleges for spouses and children of service members killed in action, provided the spouse or child is a resident of Connecticut at the time they are accepted for admission.           

“Veterans returning from combat operations and active duty qualify for a wide range of state and federal benefits from education to healthcare – and may also confront a variety of significant challenges,” Governor Rell. “I want to make sure that veterans receive all of the services they need and to which they are entitled.

“After interrupting their lives to serve our country, they face many issues while transitioning back into civilian life.  We need to create a safety net for these returning heroes, to make sure their needs are identified and addressed.”

Among the agencies participating in the working group will be the Connecticut Military Department, the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Mental Health and addiction Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Social Services and a host of federal agencies and offices with responsibilities relating to veterans and the military. The group will be convened by Commissioner Linda Schwartz of the Department of Veterans Affairs with the goal of streamlining services and recommending ways to improve them.

“These are common sense measures that let our servicemen and women know that they are in our hearts and minds,” Governor Rell said.  “These proposals represent our commitment to our service families and our commitment to making sure that we help them in their post-service lives.”

In addition, the Governor will propose a waiver of the $10 fee to obtain a Gold Star license plate, available to the immediate family of service members who have died in the line of duty.