An Eastern Wisconsin Senator is continuing his push to support Wisconsin veterans.
Senator Andre Jacque of New Franken has joined forces with De Pere Assemblyman Ben Franklin to introduce the Respect Our Wisconsin Veterans Service Act.
The measure is actually a series of initiatives, one of which would expand the eligibility criteria to include a veteran with a 70 percent service-connected disability (down from the current law of 100 percent) or their unremarried surviving spouse to claim the credit.
Another part of the bill would direct the UW System Board of Regents to fund the UW Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project this biennium to recover and identify Wisconsin veterans who are missing in action to reunite these brave service members with their families and provide some measure of solace.
Lastly, the legislation aims to provide over $1.9 million over the biennium to keep open facilities in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls that support struggling veterans experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
The duo noted that the Respect Our Wisconsin Veterans Service Act came as a result of a rally at the State Capitol in April, where “Wisconsin veterans clearly expressed their priorities to lawmakers.”
Sen. Jacque also said in the announcement, “We can never fully repay the debt we owe our Wisconsin veterans. But we must keep and strengthen our commitment to them.”
