Lincoln County commissioners hear veterans’ concerns over proposed transfer from Nebraska Veterans Aid Fund, vote to draft opposition resolution
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Summary
Veterans and county service officers told the Board that LB1072 would withdraw $5 million from the Nebraska Veterans Aid Fund over two years, potentially reducing emergency assistance; the board voted to draft a formal resolution opposing the bill and agreed to coordinate with NACO and local legislators.
Commissioners in Lincoln County heard extended testimony from veterans and veteran-service officers Wednesday about LB1072, a bill proposing transfers from the Nebraska Veterans Aid Fund to other state accounts. Thomas Gann, the Macon County veteran service officer, told the board the bill would withdraw $2.5 million in 2026 and $2.5 million in 2027 — a $5 million total — from a fund that he said has roughly $53 million and that yields interest used to help local veterans.
Gann said Lincoln County’s office alone assisted 64 veterans in 2025 with $214,464 drawn from fund interest and reported a 33% increase in applications compared with prior years. “Once funds start being drained… it has a potential of not stopping,” Gann told the commissioners, urging the board to oppose the transfer because it would reduce endowment earnings and emergency assistance available to veterans.
Several local veterans and veterans-service organizations echoed Gann’s concerns. David Baron, former VFW state commander, said the bill’s line-item language moves money through the Department of Veterans Affairs and into community colleges rather than directly to veterans’ services, and described the transfer as inconsistent with the fund’s historical purpose. “They’re taking our money, which was established in 1921 by World War I veterans,” Baron said. Joe Zorkin, district vice commander, and Brian Gallagher, a local veteran, urged the board to back stronger, measurable support rather than symbolic remarks.
Commissioners discussed the bill’s sponsorship and timeline; one commissioner noted Senator Robert Clemons’ explanation that the transfer is intended for Veterans Homes operations and that the proposal was introduced at the request of the governor and therefore could receive scheduling priority. Commissioners and staff cited contacts with NACO and plans to press the Appropriations Committee and the bill’s sponsors.
After public comment and discussion, a commissioner moved that the board draft and approve a formal resolution in strong opposition to LB1072 and to present it promptly to state legislators and through NACO. The motion was seconded and the board proceeded with a roll call to advance the resolution and to coordinate rapid outreach.
The most immediate next steps the board identified were to: (1) draft and adopt a county resolution opposing LB1072, (2) deliver the resolution and constituent comments to Appropriations Committee members and the bill sponsor, and (3) work with NACO and other county boards to amplify opposition through coordinated letters and in-person testimony at the Capitol. The board did not vote on a final text during the meeting; staff and commissioners said they would prepare the resolution for rapid delivery.