News

Doyle proposes veteran funding

This is part of an ongoing series detailing Gov. Doyle’s proposed biennial budget

The State Veteran’s Trust fund could receive up to $500,000 next tax season because of a proposal in Gov. Jim Doyle’s budget, which would allow taxpayers to donate money to Wisconsin’s veterans.

The proposal, a tax checkoff, allows Wisconsin residents to donate an unlimited amount of money to the trust fund. On their individual income tax return forms, they can donate out of the refund owed to them or out of the taxes they owe. This is part of a 10-year solvency plan for the Veteran’s trust fund.

“We’ve checked it against other types of checkoffs,” Andrew Schuster, director of public affairs for the Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs, said. “We feel very optimistic that it can be raised.”

Wisconsin has had several other similar tax checkoffs in past years for things such as endangered species, the remodeling of Lambeau field and breast cancer research. According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, for 2003 tax returns, taxpayers donated $626,100 for endangered species and $133,200 for professional football districts.

These figures give concern to some that the Veteran’s checkoff will not raise as much money as expected. However, the Department of Veteran affairs insisted they will be happy with any amount.

“Of the utmost importance is insuring that the State’s Veteran Trust fund remains healthy and solvent so we can continue to provide some of the nation’s best state benefits to our veterans,” John A. Scoscos, secretary of the Dept. of Veteran Affairs, said in a release.

The Veteran’s trust fund would help veterans raise money for their education and health care, aid them in finding employment opportunities and provide loans for a variety of uses.

Due to the fighting in the Middle East raising public awareness, many believe people will take advantage of the opportunity to help soldiers returning from Iraq.

“These are people who are doing a great service for our country and laying their lives on the line,” Jessica Iverson, spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, said. “People in Wisconsin have a rich tradition of helping out those in the military and their families.”

The Department of Veteran Affairs thinks people are very aware of veterans’ needs and will be willing to contribute.

“We’ve got so many returning veterans that will be coming back,” Schuster said. “We think people are very much wanting to do things to help support those who have served so honorably.”

The Department of Veteran Affairs recently launched a program called “Mission: Welcome Home” to welcome veterans back from Iraq. The goal of the program is to help new veterans to understand what veteran benefits and programs exist in their communities.

If passed, the new tax checkoff would take effect on January 1, 2006.