By Mitch Fuller, Director of Governmental and Public Affairs
LEGISLATIVE Update THE TEXAS VFW ADVOCACY EFFORTS IN CONGRESS, the Texas Legislature and Texas state agencies continued the last few months in person in Austin and virtually. These advocacy efforts on behalf of all Texas Veterans and their families included presence at the State Capitol during the 2nd and 3rd Special Legislative Sessions and meetings with the Texas Lottery Commission (TLC), the TLC’s Bingo Advisory Committee and bingo interest groups, and representatives of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)—including TVC Commissioner Mary Dale, one of five gubernatorial appointees on the TVC. Activity during the 3rd Special Legislative Session in October included advocating for funds for Ketamine infusions to treat Veteran suicidal ideations and PTSD. The Texas VFW provided testimony in committee hearings in the Texas Senate and Texas House of Representatives on bills that allocated $16 billion in federal funds to the State of Texas for COVID-19 economic assistance and relief, as well for $1.7 million of the Covid-19 federal dollars to fund Ketamine infusions for 250 Veterans. Although the efforts in the Legislature were not successful, the Texas VFW will continue to work with State Representative Alex Dominguez and Travis County on this issue. The Texas VFW National Legislative Team, which includes Chairman Mitch Fuller, State Adjutant Lupita Perez, and Comrades Benny Guerrero and Shenna Lawless, participated in the VFW National Legislative Virtual Conference September 27-29, 2021. The Texas Team reached nearly all members
of the Texas Congressional delegation or their staffs with virtual or in person meetings during the conference. One of these meetings took place in person at the Texas VFW Headquarters in Austin along with staff members Drew Ross and Madison Bau from the office of Congressman Michael McCaul. Also present were State Quartermaster Ben Lowrance, and Comrades Fuller and Perez. The Texas Team emphasized VFW National Legislative Priorities, which include emphasis on effective treatments for toxic exposures, helping end veteran suicide and homelessness, concurrent receipt of retirement pay and full disability compensation, medical cannabis, and passage of the “I Am Vanessa Guillen Act,” and more. TVC Commissioner Dale met with Comrades Perez and Fuller and Texas VFW Foundation Executive Director Beth West at the Department of Texas VFW Headquarters on September 29, 2021. The TVC Fund for Veterans Assistance (FVA) grant process—the partnership between the TVC and the Texas VFW and federal and state VFW legislative priorities—were key topics of discussion with Commissioner Dale.
L-R: Texas VFW State Quartermaster Ben Lowrance, Texas VFW State Adjutant Lupita Perez, U.S. Rep McCaul staff member Madison Bau, Texas VFW Legislative Chair Mitch Fuller, U.S. Rep McCaul staff member Drew Ross.
U.S. Congressman Van Taylor and Shenna Lawless on a Zoom meeting for the National Legislative Conference.
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