Stack Blasts Republican Budget for National Guard, Veterans Cuts

HARRISBURG, MAY 26, 2009 — The Senate Republican so-called “spending” plan for 2009-10 fiscal year will have a harmful impact on Pennsylvania’s National Guard members, as well as our elderly veterans, according to state Sen. Mike Stack.

“As a representative of servicemen and women, and as member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, I’m offended that the Republicans see fit to cut funding to our military,” said Stack, who is a lieutenant in the National Guard, 28th Infantry Division, Judge Advocate General Corps. “It’s a sad day for Pennsylvania when we turn our backs on the men and women who have chosen to protect this state and this nation.”

The Republicans’ $27.3 billion budget plan, which recently passed the Senate along party lines, reduces statewide spending on National Guard operations and veterans’ homes.

Specifically, the Republican budget slashes $2.5 million to the National Guard, which will impact operations in 90 towns across Pennsylvania.

The plan also calls for cutting funding for life insurance premiums for our soldiers from $772,000 to $371,000.

“With more and more Guard members being called to active duty overseas, they cannot justify cutting these life insurance premiums,” Stack said. “It’s cutting off financial security for our Guard Members’ families.”

Pennsylvania’s National Guard and Air National Guard is the largest in the nation, with over 19,000 members, 6,000 of whom are serving overseas.

There are National Guard bases, armories, and operations in nearly every county in the Commonwealth, including the National Guard Armory, which is located in the senator’s Northeast Philadelphia district.

“The Pennsylvania National Guard is one of the largest and best Guard units in the nation. They are trained for combat and the ability support state and local authorities in times of natural disasters or in times of civil unrest,” Stack said. “Today it’s being tasked with more duties for longer times of service than any time in its history. Our servicemen and women need our support now more than ever.”

In addition to the proposed cuts to the National Guard, the Republican budget slices $7.6 million for veterans’ homes and, subsequently, $5.9 million in federal matching funds. As a result, nearly 300 veterans could be forced out of the state’s six homes for military veterans, including the Delaware Valley Veterans Home on Southampton Road in the senator’s district. One of the homes may even have to close, the Rendell Administration has warned.

“Our veterans are true American heroes and they deserve our thanks and support in so many ways,” Stack said. “They do not deserve cuts to services. What does it say about Pennsylvania when we have to turn away services to our veterans?”

Stack said the Republican spending plan was hastily prepared and did not fully examine the impact of many of their proposed cuts. He said he is currently working with the Appropriations Committee staff to more closely examine the state’s fiscal picture, explore all budget options and hopefully restore funding to numerous crucial government services and programs.

“No one doubts that the legislature will have to make some very difficult budget cuts this year,” Stack said. “But we must approach this with a full understanding of what these cuts would mean. In the meantime, it is imperative that we also keep an eye toward finding innovative ways to fund many of these programs.”

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