Veterans rally for funding in state capitol

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- With a dire warning that Missouri veterans' programs could soon run out of money, former military members flooded the capitol Wednesday to encourage their lawmakers to create new dedicated revenue streams to support veterans' services.

Dewey M. Riehn, a member of the VFW's National Legislative Committee, said that changes to state gambling fees have forced the state to dip into its savings. And despite assurances from lawmakers that none of the state's veterans homes would be shut down, Riehn said it would be unavoidable without major institutional change.

"Unless something is done this next legislative session, the trust fund will be depleted in the next fiscal year."

A former service member holds up a sign urging Missouri lawmakers to increase funding for veterans' services. Leaders from the VFW warned that the state's trust fund for veterans' services could be depleted by the next fiscal year without significant legislative action. (Tim Sampson/Missouri News Horizon).

Paul Connors of the VFW in Blue Springs, Mo., suggested that the state look at increasing sales taxes or redesignating gambling fees to help pay for veterans programs. He said that cuts to services would only exacerbate the problem as other veterans programs become overwhelmed by a surplus in clients.

"We look for new sources of revenue we don't take away from goods and services. We don't strip existing programs. We find new ways to support those programs that are important and that our close to our hearts."