Kinder proposes more state aid for military benefits to veterans

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, one of three Republicans running for governor, outlined a more than $30 million plan Thursday to provide more state aid to military veterans.

Kinder called for creation of a scholarship program for children and spouses of Missouri National Guard members or military reservists who are killed or seriously injured in the line duty. He also proposed a job training program for veterans returning from active duty that would be coordinated by the Missouri Veterans Commission.

Although Kinder's announcement lacked precise details for those programs, his staff said the job training program likely would cost more than $1 million and the scholarships anywhere from $2 million to $5 million.

Other parts of Kinder's package are similar to what Republican Gov. Matt Blunt already has proposed. For example, both are backing $4.5 million for capital improvements to veterans homes and $2.5 million to help veterans get mental health services.

Blunt and Kinder also support a $22.5 million plan to immediately exempt military pensions from state income taxes instead of phasing in that exemption over six years as called for under a law passed last year.

Kinder called his plan "a beginning down payment on Missouri's obligation to veterans."

Veterans groups have been organizing support for a potential one-eighth cent sales tax that would finance new veterans nursing homes and improve state services for people who served in the military. Among those endorsing the proposed tax is the Missouri Veterans Commission.

Kinder declined to endorse the proposed veterans tax on Thursday. He said his proposals could be accomplished without new taxes if they are phased in over several years.

Other aspects of Kinder's veterans' package would prohibit landlords from charging early departure fees on rental contracts when military members are deployed on active duty and would lower the interest rates that can be charged on consumer loans to military personnel.

He also supported a proposal that would require state flags to be lowered to half-staff when Missouri military members are killed while on duty.

Kinder entered the governor's race shortly after Blunt announced Jan. 22 that he will not seek election this year to a second term. Since then, Treasurer Sarah Steelman and U.S. Rep. Kenny Hulshof also have entered the Republican race.

Attorney General Jay Nixon remains the lone Democratic gubernatorial candidate.