Message from Department of Arizona NEC, Judi Beischel dated 22 February 2022:
We are honored to have our National Commander, Paul Dillard in Arizona from February 20th thru the 25th. On Monday we held a Town Hall meeting at Post 36 in Tucson, followed by a great T-bone steak dinner hosted by Post 36. We even celebrated his birthday with a cake and special cobbler for dessert.
Tuesday started with a continental breakfast hosted by Department Commander Ben Headen’s Post 24 in Tombstone. We visited the Wall in Douglas and visited with Border Patrol before going to Douglas Post 11 for homemade tacos. Next on the agenda was a meet and greet at Bisbee, Post 16 followed by a visit to Post 109 in Corona de Tucson for dinner. Thanks to all the Posts for their outstanding hospitality!
On Wednesday we look forward to a trip to the Rodeo Grounds, to include a museum visit, and a media visit with Dan Marries.
Thursday’s agenda includes visits to the Fischer House and the State VA home in Tucson.
On the Legislative front, our Department had a very successful week. We supported the Arizona School system in their efforts to get the Legislature to lift the cap on spending on money that had already been raised, but required a two-thirds vote of both houses for the schools to access the Money in the budget, due to an antiquated 1980 bill. Jon Altmann, our Department Legislative Director and I met with Representative Kavanaugh and got him to sponsor our bill to give VSO’s that rent their Post homes equal property tax advantage with Posts that own their property. Commander Ben, Andy Jaime and I walked HR2320 thru the House with a 15-0 vote. The bill should go to the Senate by next week. This bill will give many of our Posts a tax break that can be passed on to our charities. We are also supporting the Fire Fighters in a bill that supports the families of First Responders and Veterans that have lost their lives due to a PTSD related suicide, the opportunity to attend college at a State or Community College tuition free. Watch our website for updates.
Veteran’s Strengthening AmericaJudi BeischelDepartment of Arizona NEC480-229-1581Judi85268@yahoo.com
