Department of Missouri Event: ROCK THE ROTUNDA RALLY
Tue, Apr 02
|Missouri Capital
Rally at the Missouri Capital for Veteran Benefits
Time & Location
Apr 02, 2024, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Missouri Capital, 201 W Capitol Ave, Jefferson City, MO 65101, USA
About the event
#1 Priority) Fully fund the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) and transfer its Personnel Services to funding by GeneralRevenue. MVC is funded by three dedicated sources: the Department of Veterans Affairs, Missouri Gaming Commission, and the Missouri Veterans Health and Care Fund. Maintaining the necessary level of funding for the operations, maintenance, and capital improvements of State Veterans Homes, State Cemeteries, Veterans Service Officers Program, Veterans Grant Programs, and other needs of Missouri veterans is a priority. Since FY20, MVC has required additional short-term funding support from the state. A long-term solution is required.
# 2. Advocate for additional funding to increase Veterans’ Service Officers and their pay to include Grant Partnership Veterans Organizations Service Officers to help ensure Missouri’s 425,000 Veterans receive the benefits they have earned through their service. Given that the state’s economy receives a return of $134 for every dollar spent on a MVC VSO, the economic impact demonstrates that Missouri should provide additional funding for Veterans Service Officers. MAVO supports legislation that protects Veterans from Predatory Actors who seek to profit from benefits that have been earned by those who serve our nation. MVC Veterans Service Officers and their Grant Partners receive no payment taken from the veteran’s benefits.
#3. Enhance Real and Personal Property Tax exemptions for 100% disabled veterans. Currently, there is a tax exemption that are 100% disabled AND are former Prisoners of War. This narrow exemption provides assistance to very few if any Missouri Veterans.
#4. Allocate the first 10% of Internet gaming revenue to the Missouri Veterans Commission. As internet gaming is considered by legislators, Missouri's Veterans should be considered a priority to replace the declining revenue generated by riverboat gaming. MVC should receive a dedicated percentage of the revenues rather than what is left over after other agencies receive their percentage.