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Committee releases veterans building grant program bill after VFW testimony and technical amendments
Summary
A3679 would establish a New Jersey Veterans Organization Building Grant Program; the Veterans of Foreign Wars supported the bill but asked language be tightened to prioritize service spaces over canteens and bars.
The Assembly State and Local Government Committee released A3679, which would establish the New Jersey Veterans Organization Building Grant Program. Committee amendments made technical updates to align a section of the bill with current law.
Ken Hageman, state adjutant for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in New Jersey, told the committee the VFW supports the bill so posts can continue serving communities but asked that grant funds be designated for service spaces rather than bar or canteen operations.
"We do have 1 concern about the bill ... we prefer the funds to be specifically designated to only be used to build, refurbish, or alter facility space used for veteran or community support services and not to build or remodel a bar," Hageman said, adding that with limited funding "a new roof...is less important than space for a food bank, space to provide assistance or programs, or space for community groups like scouts." He said many VFW posts that do not have liquor licenses have experienced membership growth and provide strong community service.
The committee voted to release the bill as amended. Support slips filed before the hearing included the VFW and other veterans groups.
