March 2025

WDVA Biennial Budget Updates

Hello WDVA Employees,

Governor Evers recently introduced his proposed 2025-27 Biennial State Budget and the 2025-27 Capital Budget. I’d like to point out a few key provisions affecting Wisconsin veterans in the proposed biennial budget:

• Fully funds the expanded Veteran Outreach and Recovery Program with GPR.
• Provides another increase in the CVSO/TVSO grants, building on the increase included in the Governor's last budget. 
• Allocates 5 million dollars for additional Veteran Mental Health Grants, building on the ARPA investments.
• Increases GPR appropriations for existing programs (VHRP, homes, cemeteries etc.).
• Makes state veteran benefits available to Hmong/Laotian veterans.
• Allows the Assistance to Needy Veterans (what we call the “Veterans Assistance Grant”) grant to pay for medical devices, while also increasing the amount.
• Expands eligibility under the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit to allow those with disability ratings of 70 percent or greater to claim the credit.
• Expands the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit to include renters with a credit rating of 20 percent of rent when heat is included and 25 percent when heat is not included (both under Department of Revenue/Shared Revenue and Tax Relief).
• Invests $1 million over the biennium for the UW Madison's Missing-in-Action Recovery and Identification Project (under UW System).

The Capital Budget, which is the budget for renovation and renewal of state infrastructure projects, includes:

• 24 million dollars for new VHRP facilities in Green Bay and Chippewa Falls.
• Funding for a new food service and laundry facility at the King Veterans Home.
• Over 6 million dollars for preliminary planning and design for the new Wisconsin Veterans Museum on the Capitol Square. 

Here are some links if you’d like to dive deeper into the budget details:

DOA 2025-27 Executive Budget

2025-27 Capital Budget Agency Requests and Governor's Recommendation Book Final.pdf

The legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) announced the dates, times, and locations for the four public hearings that they will hold across the state where members of the public can come and testify in support of veteran related initiatives in the Budget:

• April 2nd - Kaukauna High School
• April 4th - Wisconsin State Fair Park
• April 28th - Hayward High School
• April 29th - Northcentral Technical College

After the Hearings are complete, JFC starts voting on what will or will not be included in the final budget. 

And as has been the case over the last few budget cycles, the State Building Commission deadlocked and will forward the Governor’s Capital Budget Request without a recommendation to the JFC or consideration with the governor’s 2025-27 Executive Budget.

If you have any questions, please email me at joseph.hoey@dva.wisconsin.gov.

Thank you,

Joey Hoey

Assistant Deputy Secretary

Secretary Bond joins Governor Evers Touring Veteran Organizations Across Wisconsin  Governor Tony Evers toured veteran service organizations across Wisconsin with WDVA Secretary James Bond earlier this month. One of the stops was at The Wellness Command Post Inc., in Oconto Falls, to highlight resource investments to support our state's 300,000 veterans. The Wellness Command Post received a $50,000 grant in 2023 as part of the governor’s $10 million investment in veteran services across the state. Read more about these visits courtesy of WBAY TV-2 Green Bay.  *Photo credit to The Wellness Command Post - Pictured: Wellness Command Post staff and veterans, with WI State Commanders of American Legion, VFW, DAV, Governor Tony Evers, and Secretary James Bond (on far right).

New WVM Exhibit in March - Traditions: Stories of Service to Country & Community On March 14, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum opened a new exhibit, Traditions: Stories of Service to Country & Community. Highlighting stories and artifacts of Wisconsin veterans of all six branches of the armed forces, the exhibit explores their service in uniform and afterward and their contributions to our nation and state. Traditions will be on view through July 6, 2025.  Read and watch a video of news coverage of the opening of the new exhibit at the museum.

Elvis and Poodles Visit with Members at King

You might not have heard, but earlier this year our Home in King was visited by the 'King' himself! Elvis John, an Elvis Presley Tribute Artist (ETA) a.k.a. John Hardginski, a native of Appleton, was "in the building" at Ainsworth Hall and had many blue suede shoes tapping to all the classic songs. After his performance, He graciously posed for pictures, hugs, and handshakes with many of our members.

And in mid-March, members at King were treated to a plethora of poodles! They even showed off a few tricks! View more pictures of the poodles at King's Facebook page. 

Thank you to the King activities staff for their work to provide fun entertainment for our members!

Pictured above: John "Elvis" Hardginski poses with members, visitors, and sings for the crowd at Ainsworth Hall. Pictured below: Poodles show off and spend some cuddle time with our members at King. 

Equity, Inclusion & Advisory Committee Update Here is what our committee is currently working on: RECRUITMENT Job Posting Review and Standardization Benefits Overview Interview Process Outline Supervisor Resources RETENTION Affinity Groups Mentorship Program Hybrid Stay Survey - Survey will be coming soon to your email inbox CULTURE Watch for new posters that will be coming out soon  Revitalization of "catch a coworker" Working on how to promote suggestion box on the WDVA intranet If you are interested in learning more about the Equity, Inclusion and Advisory Committee, please reach out to EIAC members Amy Millard, Dawn LaFond or Kristy Hartke.

How SWVMC's Caretaker Team Thaws Frozen Ground for Burials During Coldest Days of Winter Bill Ray - SWVMC Building and Grounds Supervisor As you may know, our dedicated caretaker team at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) in Union Grove works in all seasons including the bitterly cold temperatures of winter.  We thought it would be interesting to show how our caretaker team thaws the ground to complete a burial when the ground is frozen solid. First, the ground is cleaned of any snow and ice, then six metal covers are placed on nearby headstones and around the ground as we prepare a burn. This protects nearby markers as not to cause any smoke damage. After ground is cleared, the team will stack wood with a half bag of charcoal and light a fire. Once the fire is going the steel burner cover (pictured above) is placed over the fire trapping in the heat. The burner cover effectively forces the heat down to thaw the ground underneath making it easily diggable for the caretaker crew the following day.

King Employee Highlight - Meet Adam! Many staff at our Wisconsin Veterans Home at King work hard to keep our members safe, and our highlighted employee of the month does just that. Meet Adam Charlson! While Adam has held various positions at the King campus, he has been a Security Officer for almost three years. One of the best things Adam enjoys in his role in keeping a secure campus is interacting with the members. Adam’s says, “I talk to at least one member every day I come to work.” His advice to visitors and fellow employees is to find ways each day go interact with them.  “No matter what is happening in life, you’ll go home feeling rewarded.” When not at King, Adam is passionate about the science of geology and is studying towards becoming a geologist. He is one year from graduation. Thank you, Adam, for your commitment in protecting our King campus while balancing life, work, and learning. We appreciate you!  If you know of one of our Home's employees deserving a highlight for the compassionate work they do for our members, please email Alexis Madsen, alexis.madson@dva.wisconsin.gov

Managing Stress & Avoiding Burnout Employee Assistance Program Stress is a normal part of life, but when it becomes chronic, it can harm physical and mental health. Be sure to make time for some self-care. Simple, evidence-based strategies such as deep breathing, meditation, and yoga are all effective techniques for managing stress and improving overall well-being. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is here to help if you're feeling overwhelmed or need additional support. Reach out to connect with confidential resources, counseling, and guidance to navigate stress and prevent burnout. Need to talk to someone? Call EAP to get started today. it is available by phone 24/7/365 by calling 1.833.539.7285. WEBSITE: SOWI.MyLifeExpert.com - Use Code: SOWI Have questions about EAP? Please email: DOADPM@wisconsin.gov.

A Snowy Sunrise Over NWVMC Thank you to Kristy Hartke at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (NWVMC) administrative offices for capturing this peaceful, crisp sunrise over our cemetery grounds in Spooner on February 17, 2025.

Quilts Presented to Military Funeral Honors Team from American Legion Post 161 Andrew Whitman, CWVMC Cemetery Director On February 26, a presentation of quilts was held with American Legion Post 161 members who come out to CWVMC and perform the rifle salute as part of Military Funeral Honors for deceased veterans. These beautiful quilts were made by the Darting Needles Quilt Guild and presented through the Quilts of Valor program. Please join us in expressing our sincere appreciation for the services they render for our veteran funerals.

WDVA Central Office Wears Green for St. Patrick's Day

Several administrators and employees at WDVA's central office in Madison got into the St. Patrick's Day spirit and wore green on Monday, March 17, 2025. Pictured (left to right): Andrea Northwood, Jeff Darby, Shannon Miller, Deputy Secretary Chris McElgunn, Colleen Flaherty, Jodi Barnett, Assistant Deputy Secretary Joey Hoey, and James Listug.