DiMasi and Travaglini Don’t Fund “Welcome Home Bill” for Veterans
             Despite the fact that the Democratic legislature just spent hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer’s money in overrides before recessing last week, it neglected a simple appropriations bill that would have funded veteran benefits for a law that was passed nearly a year ago.
             The "Welcome Home" Bill was signed into law in November of 2005, and stipulated financial bonuses for Massachusetts soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It also granted waivers for tuition to state schools for vets.  The total amount that was to be appropriated by the law was $8 million.
             Speaker DiMasi and Sen. Travaglini were supposed to have funded the benefits, and have a committee make recommendations as to whether any other fees or benefits should be granted under the educational portion of the law.  They neglected to do so.  
             "It is appalling that our men and women in uniform are being put in the middle of this battle here at home," said Representative Verga, who is a Navy Veteran. "Everyone involved must step-up to the plate, and do what should have been done all along --- welcome home our Veterans."
             In July, Governor Romney attempted to correct the problem when it was realized that the legislature did not provide any funding in the 2007 budget for the veteran benefits.   Instead, the legislature just pushed the Governor’s bill along to the House Ways and Means Committee for study, despite the fact that the expenditure was already approved by both houses and signed by the Governor. 
             "It is unconscionable that eight months after the fanfare surrounding the passage of the "Welcome Home Bill", we have been unable to fulfill the pledge we made to our National Guardsman," said Senator Joyce, adding that he has heard of other National Guardsman who didn't enroll for the fall 2006 semester of school because they were told "The Welcome Home Bill" would not be honored. Others were forced to pay for their tuition and fees out-of-pocket.
             Sen. Joyce and Rep. Verga have written an open letter to DiMasi and Travaglini requesting that they take immediate emergency action to provide funding.
             Some are saying this shows that many Democratic leaders really do dislike U.S. service men and women.