SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Steve Fox (D-Palmdale) has introduced two bills, AB 585 and AB 1509, to provide additional support to veterans who are transitioning from military service to civilian life.
“Veterans in my district repeatedly tell me that they are having trouble accessing the benefits and programs that are already available,” said Fox. “These bills are designed to create a plan to make sure our military personnel can find the support they need to move forward with their lives.”
AB 1509 will mandate the Department of Veterans Affairs devise a program to aid newly discharged veterans in transitioning from military to civilian life.
In 2011, the California Interagency Council on Veterans was created by Executive Order B-09-11. The agency is responsible for identifying veterans’ needs such as housing, vocational training, apprenticeship programs, medical care and counseling. Fox’s bill will help the agency implement their mission by fully informing military members about the services available in California.
AB 585 will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to formulate a plan regarding how to develop unused or underutilized real properties for added veterans’ services. Currently, the department is authorized to hold property for future use. The bill specifically directs the department to craft a master plan to select properties to create centers for additional veteran housing, supportive, and health services. AB 585 was passed by the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee today with a vote of 8-1.
“Military benefits help no one if they are not accessible,” Fox continued. “My goal is to make sure that every man and woman who served in the military has the tools they need to be happy, healthy, and successful throughout their lives.”
For more information, please visit www.asmdc.org/fox.
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Democrata says
Maria Paseada,
You must be living in lala land! I honorably retired from the service more than three years ago, and the VA still has not given me my full benefits.
That said, I beg to differ when you say “there are no problems” with veterans accessing benefits. Yes, we have problems…big time!
When was the last time you dealt with the VA?
Steve Fox, I commend you for all your hard work and dedication in helping veterans.
Keep up the great work!
Maria paesano says
Ok so let me try posting again. Let’s see…. As of now their has been ” no problem” accessing the ” benefits and programs ” that SHOULD BE GOING TO THE VETERANS THEMSELVES… That belong to THEM , not to those “care givers” who find and then control all of their benefits and assets for their own pleasure and purpose by keeping them medically dependent ( physically and mentally ) so they can continue their control reaping all the benefits they themselves have done nothing to earn or acquire. And as far as housing, vocational ” training” or ” apprenticeship programs” , medical ” care”, and counseling go….. True veteran have had all this, that is why they are VETERANS because of their skills, ability , knowledge, courage and dedication to protect and honor all that is good and right. These ” new” programs designed to “help the poor veterans” ARE Despicable. These programs were, in fact, designed to HURT, not HELP real veterans and their real families ;To transfer the rights and privledges they themselves have earned to those who know nothing about HONOR or RESECT. They should be ashamed at how they have treated our elders, children and mothers. But then, they have no shame. Only lust for possessions, resources, power and recognition. We were happy, healthy and successful until all this greed and manipulation took over. Don’t pretend like you are on the side of honor now just to make you and the enemies/ traitors you have collaborated with look good or be unaccountable for the things they have done. Pay day is long overdue.
Rizzzy says
What is despicable is negative comments in an incoherent ramble against Fox for trying to do something to help vets.
Maria Paesano says
Uh what happened to my comment? It was posted and now it is gone!
QHR says
Mr. Fox, thanks for all you do. My hope is that veterans get a real outpatient clinic in the AV. There is plenty of land near the Pete Knight Veterans home in Lancaster to build such a clinic. Driving down below for medical referrals is getting old. Also, in the long term it would create more jobs in the AV and save tax payers on travel reimbursements for veterans to drive down below. Again, thanks for all you do.