Closing out on this series reflecting on MR’s record of accomplishments in Massachusetts regarding Veterans and Veterans Benefits, leaves me with two items left that I believe are worth mentioning(there are several more that myclob has posted over at ElectRomneyin2008 if you’re interested).

The first is this press release from 11/03/06. Not only is it a remarkable action to take, but because of the tremendous turn-around in the State coffers under Governor Romney’s fiscal policies, the ability to be able to do this is what makes it even more remarkable.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services

November 3, 2006

“With Veterans Day right around the corner, a shortfall in the account that pays a life insurance benefit to Massachusetts National Guard members was covered by Governor Mitt Romney today when he transferred funds from his own office account to make up the deficiency.

Romney took the action since the Legislature is not meeting in formal session and to ensure that National Guard members continue to receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

There is a $64,000 deficiency in the account that reimburses up to 50 percent of the cost of life insurance for National Guard members serving on active duty in the war on terror. The benefit was part of the Welcome Home Bill signed into law by Governor Romney last year. The deficiency occurred because of an increase in National Guard members due to recruitment efforts.

Romney said the transfer is possible because of the success in reducing spending with the Governor’s Office, freeing up funds for other purposes. Spending in the Governor’s Office has dropped from $5.6 million in FY02 to $4.6 million in FY06. Spending is anticipated to drop again in the current fiscal year.

“All of us in elective office recognize the service of our Massachusetts National Guard troops, and one of my greatest honors is to serve as their commander in chief. They have dealt with every dangerous assignment that we have given them, both at home and abroad. It is a privilege to be able to transfer funds from my office to avoid any interruption in benefits to our troops,” said Romney.”

Got it here

And finally, the last item that impressed me while researching for these postings, is one that I believe shows Governor Romney has long held the belief that Veterans should be honored for the tremendous duty and sacrifice they so unselfishly provide. It is comforting to know that Governor Romney will choose to fight for their honor over playing politics. Unfortunately, there are politicians that just don’t hold these same values:

PANEL DEFIES ROMNEY ON NAMING OF TUNNEL
10/15/2003

A key legislative panel voted yesterday to name the main tunnel of the Central Artery project after the late US House Speaker Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill Jr., defying the wishes of Governor Mitt Romney.

Romney had proposed legislation earlier this year to designate the tunnel “Liberty,” to honor service men and women, and had proposed O’Neill’s name be attached to a shorter tunnel connecting the Artery to the Massachusetts Turnpike.

But the Joint Transportation Committee, in amending Romney’s bill yesterday, rejected the Liberty moniker, voting to name the main tunnel for O’Neill and electing to call the shorter roadway the Veterans’ Tunnel.

The legislation will now go before the House.

The move by the committee touched off a bitter exchange on Beacon Hill, with the governor suggesting legislators are more interested in political payback than in honoring soldiers killed in Iraq.

Read the entire article here.

Donna L.