The Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund (SS&M) has been helping Connecticut veterans since World War I.  To ensure that it can continue to do so for generations to come, the legislature’s nonpartisan Program Review & Investigations Committee (PRI) which I co-chair, recently reviewed its financial obligations and made a series of recommendations.

In 1919, when the legislature directed the state treasurer to buy up to $2.5 million in war bonds to establish the SS&M Trust Fund, few resources were available for veterans returning from World War I.  Since 1919, the mission of the SS&M Fund has evolved. Now, our veterans can turn to several local, state and federal programs for assistance as well.

The SS&M Fund encompasses a trust fund, an appropriated fund from the state and an assistance program for indigent veterans.  As it has been from the beginning, the American Legion remains involved with its operation, but for quite some time other programs have been administered by state employees. Not surprisingly, at least some veterans who need help may find this state of affairs rather confusing.  Recently, the committee completed its study of the SS&M Fund, and made the following recommendations.

By unanimous vote of the six Republicans and the six Democrats, the PRI committee is recommending the following proposal to the legislature:
 

• The American Legion will assume control of the Soldiers, Sailor’s and Marine Fund, including its daily operations and management of its $61-million trust fund. State employees formerly assigned to the SS&M Fund would no longer administer the funds.

• The legislature will increase state funding to the State Department of Veterans Affairs and the Military Department to cover military honor guards at the funerals of some veterans and the placement of headstones.

• The American Legion would be required to establish specific guidelines for assistance and would pay for all administrative costs including staff and benefits from the income from the Trust Fund.

The committee believes that these changes would benefit veterans. For example, turning operation of the SS&M Fund over to the American Legion would prevent the General Assembly from ever raiding the fund for other budget needs of the state. Assistance would be more consistent and more flexible to meet the needs not addressed by other state and federal veterans’ programs.  The American Legion would employ its own staff, not state employees, to run the program. It is expected that administrative costs would be reduced, increasing the money available to assist veterans.

Of course, the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs will continue to employ counselors and other staff to assist veterans and their families with government sponsored assistance and health care programs.  

PRI committee members made these recommendations for legislative changes for the upcoming session.  Watch for proposed bills and public hearings on hearings on these recommendations in the coming weeks.  The 2006 Legislative Session will begin on February 8th.

Our entire report, including findings and recommendations, can be read online at www.cga.ct.gov/pri. I will keep you informed about any proposals for legislative action that may come about as a result of this study.  Meanwhile, please continue to contact me anytime with your concerns and ideas. I can be reached at the Capitol at 1-800-842-1421 or you can send me an e-mail at Catherine.Cook@cga.ct.gov.