Finance Committee Adds $5 Million to Veteran Trust Fund

State Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills) and the Wisconsin Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance infused the state's Veterans Trust Fund with $5 million Thursday.

“We owe a huge debt to our veterans,” Darling said in a statement Thursday. “Our veterans stood up and protected us. This is an opportunity to stand up for them and shore up the trust fund.”

The committee through one vote, approved the $5 million to the Veterans Trust Fund, which provides veterans with assistance in employment, housing, healthcare, education, and transportation.

For a number of years, the Veterans Trust Fund has faced financial difficulties. Without additional funding, the trust fund is projected to run out of money in 2013 under Gov. Scott Walker's proposed biennial budget bill according to the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs. However, the fund is projected to be short mid-2015 according to the WDVA.

Darling said budget cuts in other areas, free up funds to pay for vital services like veteran benefits.

“Veterans can’t keep wondering if the trust fund will remain viable,” Darling said. “They need to know that the State of Wisconsin is committed to their wellbeing.  Today, we put the fund on a sustainable fiscal path.”