Board Backs Vet Services Funding Bill

The Board of Supervisors this week backed a bill in the state Senate that would significantly increase state funding to veterans services offices, including the cash-strapped facility in Santa Ana.

Supervisor Jim Silva urged his colleagues to support the bill, SB 608, sponsored by Sen. Maurice K. Johannessen (R-Redding).

The Orange County veterans services office provides help with insurance, benefits and medical forms to the 18,000 retired military personnel who live in the county.

The office was threatened with the loss of $300,000 in county funding last year. Without the money, the facility would have closed its doors, forcing veterans to seek services in Long Beach or Westwood.

But after veterans protested, the Board of Supervisors decided to continue funding the office, at least through this June.

“The veterans of Orange County deserve to know that the existence of the veterans services office will not be threatened each year during budget deliberations,” Silva said.

“It is appropriate for the Board of Supervisors to support any endeavor that would put into place a more consistent funding mechanism.”