The Minnesota House passed a funding bill for several Veterans programs around the state, including $26.8 million to finish three new Minnesota veterans homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston.
The package also included continued service bonuses for post-9/11 veterans, funding increases for county veterans services offices, and grants to vet organizations.
The vote was a near-unanimous 121 to 1. International Falls Representative Rob Ecklund says the bipartisan measure will put 6.5 million dollars toward ending veterans’ homelessness.
Lawmakers believe it is the first time a veterans program package passed the legislature as a stand-alone bill.
Gov. Walz signed the bill into law on Tuesday
