URGENT URGENT URGENT
There have been several articles in the VA Pilot, most recently on 5 June, and on the local TV channels. On page 10 on the June newsletter, there was an update included under VCOC Update per Monti’s Zimmermans presentation at the MOAA State Legislative Forum on 21 May. I wanted to give up another update as changes are happening quickly. The new Facebook group (VMSDEP Friends and Supporters) now has 2,200 members. The first session of the task force (Preserving Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program Task Force”) was held yesterday and lasted from 2 – 6:15 pm with many Facebook group members sharing their experiences. Several first responders also spoke and were blindsided when they found out about the changes from the Facebook group over the weekend!
The House is meeting on 28 June but there is no firm commitment for the senate to meet. The group is trying to get constituents of Sen Louise Lucas (Senate President) and Sen Stovall (Senate Majority Leader) to call or write to them per support of repeal of abrupt and devastating changes to the VMSDEP program!
Senator Lucas senatorlucas@senate.virginia.gov phone 757-397-8209 or (804) 698-7518
Senator Stovall senatorsurovell@senator.virginia.gov phone 571-249-4484 or (804) 698-7434
SAMPLE:
Dear Senator ______, the House of Delegates has agreed to return to session and restore VMSDEP and Survivor tuition benefits as have Senate Republicans.
When will the Senate majority follow suit?
Our veteran community stands united and respectfully request the support of the Senate Democrats in returning to session to retore benefits for all families that qualified prior to May 13th pending the results of a full study.
Thank you.
Another sample letter from a local member suggested listing all the military facilities in the area Sen Lucas covers and the number of disabled veterans/survivors and dependents are impacted in that area.
Some sample articles related to the 1st task force meeting are below. I haven’t seen anything in the VA Pilot or local TV yet. Monti Zimmerman is on the task force and represents the JLC.
If you send in a letter, email, or call, Please include PACMOAA as a Blind Copy to (BCC) on your action, or just note in an email that you called.
https://www.thecentersquare.com/virginia/article_5239667c-2797-11ef-bc20-9bf926fd2737.html article per 1st Task Force meeting published late Monday evening 9 June 2024
https://virginiamercury.com/2024/06/10/at-task-force-meeting-military-families-rip-ugly-side-of-virginias-government/ another article per 1st Task Force meeting published 10 June 2024