The Budget: Fiscal Year 1997-1998

DEPARMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS

(Dollars in Thousands)

Appropriation1995-96
Actual
1996-97
Available
1997-98
Budget
General Government Operations$14,358 $14,023 $14,193
January 1996 Storm Disaster Relief$781 $0 $0
American Battle Monuments$79 $4 $4
Armory Maintenance And Repair$605 $700 $700
Erie Soldiers and Sailors Home$5,254 $5,320 $5,695
Hollidaysburg Veterans Home$18,328 $17,799 $18,468
Southeastern Veterans Home$11,469 $10,398 $11,105
Northeastern Veterans Home$7,812 $7,391 $7,478
Southwestern Veterans Home$0 $1,243 $4,849
Scotland School for Veterans' Children$6,765 $6,442 $6,442
Education of Veterans Children$125 $125 $145
Education - National Guard$526 $1,600 $2,200
Veterans Assistance$1,118 $1,266 $1,266
Blind Veterans Pension$159 $150 $145
Paralyzed Veterans Pension$319 $308 $293
National Guard Pension$4 $5 $5
Drug Interdiction$16 $62 $62
Special State Duty$0 $0 $100
Base Realignment and Closure$16 $75 $75

     The Governor in the 1997-98 budget provided $14.193 million for General Government Operations, a minor increase from the $14.023 million in the available year. A small line item that has raised some concern is entitled "Special State Duty". This year is the first year it is being funded. This money will be allocated to those soldiers and vendors who respond to special emergencies such as floods and winter blizzards.

     The 1997-98 funding for education assistance for National Guard persons has increased from $1.6 million to $2 million. This is surprising since during 1996-97 fiscal year, less than one-third of the money in this appropriation has been spent as of this time.

     The Southwestern Veterans Home will receive $ 4.849 million for the 1997-98 fiscal year, in the available year it had received $1.243 million. This is an increase of almost 290%. The reason for this tremendous increase is that this center opening its doors to ailing veterans as of July, 1997. The department has not yet hired personnel but expects to hire 65 by the end of February. Construction will end soon in July, and the facility will reach full capacity with 236 beds. At that time there will be 269 full-time employees. It is questionable whether the department will be able to fill all of the positions necessary by July despite its predictions.

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For more information, contact the Office of State Senator Vincent J. Fumo.
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Philadelphia, PA 19148
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Philadelphia, PA 19134
(215) 423-7670
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Harrisburg, PA 17120-3001
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