More tuition aid, other financial help for veterans proposed
(AP) Air Force veteran Kathryn Maykoski could use some financial aid as she studies to become a nurse.
Attorney General-elect Lori Swanson said Thursday she wants to help.
She proposed a $15 million-a-year tuition assistance bill for veterans and their family members, and also urged lawmakers to approve consumer protection measures to help active-duty soldiers deal with cell phone companies, utilities and other creditors.
About 7,800 Minnesota soldiers have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Proposals to recognize and help them tend to have broad support at the Capitol, where lawmakers have approved extra time off work for soldiers' relatives and in-state tuition rates for veterans.
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"We owe our veterans, our service members a great debt of gratitude," said Swanson, a Democrat, at a news conference. "They've served our country and our state admirably, and today's legislation is designed to help repay that debt."
Swanson also plans to set up a veterans assistance unit when she takes office next month.
Maykoski is paying for college out of her own pocket because she didn't sign up for federal GI Bill tuition benefits when she joined the military. She served four years, including a stint in Germany supporting troops in Iraq. The St. Paul native is now applying at Minnesota State College and Universities campuses in Winona, St. Cloud and Mankato.
"I think it would make a big difference to me," Maykoski said of the tuition aid proposal.
She has at least two years of school left, and estimates it will cost about $10,000 a year.
The federal government covers up to 36 months of tuition assistance, but Swanson wants to go further and cover tuition for up to eight semesters or 128 credits at state colleges and universities. Her proposal is modeled on similar laws in Wisconsin and Illinois.
Veterans who spent at least 90 days in combat or two years on active duty would qualify. It would also be available to spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
The other proposal would let soldiers drop contracts for cell phones, satellite television, health clubs, Internet service providers and the like if they're called up for active duty. Those who own their own businesses could get out of commercial contracts such as copy services.
A provision modeled after the state's Cold Weather Rule would bar utilities from cutting service to active-duty soldiers who met income requirements and paid a minimum amount.
Federal law already gives active-duty soldiers some financial breathing room, including lower interest rates on mortgages and other debts, protections from eviction and court actions and the ability to get out of car and housing leases.
About 3,000 Minnesota National Guard members are now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Another 600 members of the Minnesota Air National Guard are set to deploy next year.
