Gusse: Support legislation that helps veterans

A few years ago I was made aware of the demand for veteran outreach and services in Maricopa, which was the catalyst for the Maricopa Veteran Town Hall that was held this year.

Our veteran populations have been requesting assistance getting through the exasperated and grueling Department of Veterans Affairs process in addition to information on services available throughout our community for themselves and their families.

I recently attended the Pinal County Community College District Governing Board meeting held at the Maricopa Central Arizona College campus on Tuesday, June 18. The board considered and approved a tax levy increase of 28 cents for every $100 of assessed property value for residents living in the district. I spoke during the call to the public and requested that the board consider all of their funding options in order to assure that the Maricopa campus would be fully staffed and operational.

My plea was centered on the great need in this community for local and affordable higher education for our veterans and young adults.

In the past I have taken a stand and have gone toe-to-toe with our local House of Representative Steve Smith on a few issues that have been of importance to our community. I have also publicly thanked him on behalf of our constituents regarding the sales tax or “TPT” HB 2657.

Although Rep. Smith expressed full support of defeating this bill due to the detrimental effects this will have on the city of Maricopa, he failed to show up and cast a vote. However, he was present to cast a “no” vote on HB 2484, which would have established a tax credit for individuals and corporations who hired unemployed veterans and would have also given advance notice to veterans for state employment announcements. This bill was dedicated by state Rep. Mark Cardenas to a soldier he served with in Iraq. Rep. Cardenas lost his friend to suicide after he returned from the Iraq war. He stated that his friend struggled to find work, suffered from depression, and eventually took his own life.