Latest news with #VCAP
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kansas audit faults accounting of veterans' assistance grants by state, service organizations
Kansas veterans gather for publication of the Kansas Legislature's audit examine accounting by state and veterans' service organizations working to help veterans with health care, education programs. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) TOPEKA — Members of the Kansas Legislature's bipartisan auditing committee expressed concern Monday that two major veterans' service organizations receiving millions of dollars in state grants took significantly different approaches to complying with matching-fund mandates. Auditors told the joint House-Senate audit committee the Kansas Office of Veterans Service or KOVS should precisely define what activities and costs were allowable as matching support for grants received by the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations in Kansas. The organizations should be required to submit sufficiently detailed reports on matching funding to allow state officials to precisely verify expenditures, the audit said. 'While KOVS is responsible for making sure service organizations met program requirements, it has provided little guidance on what qualifies as matching support,' said auditor Matt Fahrenbruch. 'This has left the service organizations to interpret the rules very differently.' Lax KOVS oversight in other areas may have caused misunderstandings between KOVS and service organizations and their supporters, the audit said. The audit focused on financial reports from 2022 to 2024 related to the Veterans Claims Assistance Program, which was designed to aid veterans with benefit claims, including those tied to disability payments, health care, education and pensions. The audit related to VCAP was requested nearly a year ago by Republican Sen. Virgil Peck of Havana. Legislators concluded the audit briefing Monday by suggesting the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars should work with the state veterans' service office to produce written guidelines for securing reimbursement for work assisting military veterans with claims. Sens. Mike Thompson and Caryn Tyson, both Republicans, indicated the Legislature would consider taking up a reform bill next session if accounting practices weren't clarified. 'I appreciate your services. We all know that you guys do a lot,' Tyson said. 'But the report is the question here.' Herbert Schwartzkopf, who represents the Kansas VFW, told legislators and auditors the organization had been frugal with VCAP grants and complied with expenditure requirements outlined by the state. He said the audit report was a waste of taxpayer dollars. 'Kansas VFW feels like the organization and its members are being branded as liars as all of our words have fallen either on deaf ears or they truly feel we are lying,' he said. 'The opinion of Kansas VFW is that the legislative post audit of the VCAP grant is not worth the paper it is written on and is, at its best, a work of fiction.' Officials with the state's Office of Veterans Services defended its oversight of the grant program and committed itself to creating a more standard approach to accounting for use of state grant dollars. Fahrenbruch told lawmakers the two congressionally chartered veterans organizations in Kansas had taken different approaches in terms of what was claimed as in-kind expenditures tied to securing state grants that 'may or may not comply with state law.' The state's VCAP initiative has provided grants to reimburse costs claimed by the service organizations that included salaries and wages, operating and capital outlay expenditures for training and equipment as well as the work of veterans' service representatives and support staff. Both organizations have operated their own VCAP offices in the state's three Veterans Administration hospitals. In Kansas, the VFW and American Legion must meet annual matching support requirements equal to a percentage of the VCAP funds the organizations received. In 2022 and 2023, the matching support percentage was set at 33%. In 2025, it was 25%. 'Statute does not define what 'support' is beyond stating that it should be a combination of monetary and non-monetary support,' the audit said. The Legislature appropriated $2.55 million to VCAP from 2022 to 2024. The American Legion received $1.2 million during that period, while the VFW received $1.14 million. At least 85% of that funding was dedicated to salaries and benefits for VFW and American Legion personnel. During this three-year period, the American Legion reported matching percentages ranging from 28% to 34%. However, in 2024, half of the reported matching support was for the estimated rental value of VCAP office space in VA hospitals that was provided by the VA for free. The issue of the American Legion and VFW claiming the estimated value of this free rental space as matching support has been the subject of debate and could be in violation of state law, auditors said. KOVS officials said they consulted with the state attorney general's office in 2023 about this practice. 'In an email exchange between KOVS and the AG's office provided to us, AG officials advised KOVS that the practice was ethically ambiguous, but not technically prohibited due to broad legal interpretations of what in-kind support can be,' Fahrenbruch said. William Turner, executive director of the Kansas Office of Veterans Services, said auditors mischaracterized the conclusion offered by Attorney General Kris Kobach's office. Turner said the attorney general's office concluded the practice of counting free office space or other non-monetary support as part of the funding match was 'appropriate, at least to some measure' and that 'ethical views on the matter are up to the individual.' Auditors also said they were unable to confirm with documentation that all claimed matching support was directly related to VCAP because certain reported expenditures were based on estimates. 'Overall,' the audit said, 'we couldn't determine with certainty whether the American Legion met their matching obligations in the years we looked at.' In terms of the Kansas VFW, the organization reported nearly $2 million in matching support from 2022 to 2024. About three-fourths of the support was in the form of direct costs and in-kind volunteer work for veterans. The list, however, included funeral services, meals and other community activities that appeared 'contrary to state law,' the audit said. 'More than half of our sample of VFW matching support was not related to the VCAP program, and we couldn't verify the rest,' the audit said. Auditors reported VFW operated with the understanding that 'any veterans service activity' could be reported as matching support regardless of its connection to VCAP. Fahrenbruch said auditors requested copies of VFW documents supporting this assertion, but none was provided.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sen. McCormick meets with business leaders, veterans nonprofit in NEPA
Mar. 24—WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pittsburgh, this week met with constituents and local leaders in Northeast Pennsylvania and also in Lancaster County to learn about vital businesses and organizations in these regions. In Lackawanna County, McCormick met with business and community leaders at a roundtable discussion in Moosic. Also attending the roundtable were U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township; U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas; PA Auditor General Tim DeFoor; and Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak, among others. "The increased popularity of Northeast Pennsylvania and the Poconos is bringing a lot of attention here in terms of new investment, job creation, and economic opportunities," McCormick said. "I'm excited to see what the future holds for Northeast PA, and I'm eager to continue working with leaders in this region to foster growth and opportunity for Pennsylvanians." Camp Freedom meeting — Scranton McCormick then met with Matt Guedes, executive director for Camp Freedom, to discuss the organization's work to support veterans and first responders in Northeast Pennsylvania. Camp Freedom is a nonprofit that provides outdoor recreation activities for disabled veterans, first responders and Gold Star Families to foster camaraderie, healing and hope. Camp Freedom is headquartered in Carbondale. "As a combat veteran and former paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division, I admire and applaud Camp Freedom's mission to cultivate a healthy, supportive, and healing environment for veterans and first responders," McCormick said. "Those who have put their lives on the line to protect this country, its citizens, and its freedoms deserve the support they need to lead healthy, productive lives after their service. I am grateful for the work that organizations like Camp Freedom do to support our nation's heroes by ensuring they have access to the healing benefits of Pennsylvania's great outdoors." Lt. Gov. Davis highlights state program Lt. Governor Austin Davis this week joined Center for Victims and other local victim service providers to highlight the importance of supporting victims and survivors of crime and to encourage support for the Shapiro-Davis Administration's proposed $9 million investment in the Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) in the 2025-26 state budget. "No crime victim should have to worry about how they'll afford medical bills. No family should have to struggle with funeral expenses for a loved one lost to violence," said Davis, chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). "And no sexual assault survivor should have to worry about covering the costs of counseling to overcome their trauma. The Victims Compensation Assistance Program is a critical financial lifeline for people who have been impacted by violence and crime that will help heal families, lessen burdens and save lives." VCAP serves as a critical financial lifeline for people who have experienced crime victimization. Each year, the program receives an average of 12,000 claims for eligible expenses including medical and counseling expenses, loss of earnings, loss of support, stolen cash, relocation, funeral costs and crime scene cleanup. Over the past five years, PCCD has paid more than 67,000 VCAP claims totaling $67 million in eligible expenses for citizens across all 67 Pennsylvania counties. PA celebrates national award The Shapiro Admiration this week announced the Pennsylvania Silver Jackets Team has been awarded the 2024 national "Team of the Year" for its collaborative partnerships in tackling Pennsylvania's top natural hazard — flooding. The state Silver Jackets Team of the Year award recognizes an outstanding team that exemplifies effective flood risk management within the context of shared responsibility and that demonstrates significant accomplishments in the preceding year. The team award is chosen through a peer voting process of Silver Jackets teams from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and four territories having the opportunity to cast votes. Pennsylvania won the award previously in 2013. "We are proud of the efforts of our partners to help reduce flood risk across the Commonwealth each and every day," said Randy Padfield, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) director. "This award is a testament to the dedication of our partners who have worked on collaborative projects to make our communities more resilient from the devastating impacts of flooding." The Pennsylvania Silver Jackets team is made up of over 20 partners including: municipal, county, state, and federal government; river basin commissions; academia and professional associations; and non-profit organizations. The team is tasked with facilitating collaborative solutions to reduce risks for Pennsylvania's flood risk priorities. Though collaboration and shared knowledge, the Pennsylvania Silver Jackets enhance preparedness, mitigation and response and recovery efforts. "Managing floodwaters and flood risk is a shared responsibility, and the Silver Jackets bring together knowledge and expertise among all of the partners to help Pennsylvania communities," said Jessica Shirley, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) acting secretary. Living organ donor bill OK'd The state House Finance Committee this week approved legislation that would allow living organ donors to claim an income tax deduction of up to $12,000 for unreimbursed expenses associated with their donation, according to the bill's prime sponsor, state Rep. Jim Haddock. "We must do all we can to help make the living organ donation process easier for all involved. Currently, businesses can receive a tax credit for providing paid leave to employees for the purpose of organ donation, but there is no tax benefit available to individuals who donate organs," said Haddock, D-Pittston Township. "Unfortunately, while an organ recipient's health insurance covers the donor's direct medical costs, donors can rack up bills in the thousands of dollars for related expenses. "Providing financial support to donors will remove an obstacle to the living donation process. This is one way that state government can help those in need of a transplant as well as support the heroes among us who selflessly choose to give the gift of life." House Bill 422 would allow someone who is a living organ donor or whose dependent is a living organ donor to claim a state personal income tax deduction equal to the amount of unreimbursed expenses, up to $12,000, during the year in which the organ transplantation occurs. Eligible unreimbursed expenses would include travel expenses, lodging expenses, lost wages if an employer does not provide paid sick leave to organ donors and medical expenses not covered by insurance. The deduction would be available to those who donate all or part of any of the following: liver, pancreas, kidney, lung, intestine or bone marrow. It could only be claimed once during a taxpayer's lifetime. Haddock said 16 people in the United States die each day while waiting for a life-saving organ donation. More than 8,000 Pennsylvanians and their families are on the organ donation waiting list. Living organ donors are key to closing that gap, Haddock said, as at least 40% of kidneys for transplant worldwide come from living donors. The bill moves to the full state House of Representatives for consideration. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania investing in help for sexual assault survivors and crime victims
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WKBN) – Pennsylvania's Lt. Governor Austin Davis was in Pittsburgh Friday, discussing the Shapiro administration's efforts to support sexual assault survivors and victims of crime. The state's proposed budget includes a $9 million investment in the Victims Compensation Assistance Program. The program helps victims pay for medical and counseling services, loss of earnings, crime scene clean-up and even relocation. VCAP says it receives about 12,000 claims each year. 'No crime victim should have to worry about how they'll afford medical bills to recover. No family should have to struggle with funeral expenses for a loved one who they lost to violence and no sexual assault survivor should have to worry about covering the costs of counseling to overcome the trauma they've endured,' Davis said. If you or someone you know was affected by a crime, visit the PA Crime Victims website for information and resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of North Carolina to resign after 3+ years of service
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Michael Easley Jr. will be officially resigning from his duties as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina on Monday, Feb. 3. The announcement of his stepping down cam Wednesday, after more than three years of service in the role. 'It has been the highest honor to serve as the top federal law enforcement official for Eastern North Carolina – a place I was born, raised, and am proud to call home,' Easley said in a released statement. 'The men and women of the Eastern District are among the hardest working in the nation – steadfast in the mission to keep America safe. Together, we helped drive down violent crime, turbocharged white-collar prosecutions, protected civil rights, and stemmed the tide of narcotics into our communities. We did it through partnering, shoulder to shoulder, with local law enforcement and community leaders to solve our region's most challenging problems. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, and staff who give so much to see justice done every day,' Easley added. Easley led the office since he was selected by President Joe Biden in late 2021. He was nominated on Sept. 28, and the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed him on Nov. 21 before getting officially sworn in days later. 'U.S. Attorney Easley is the kind of partner every sheriff hopes for – sharp, decisive, and committed to results,' said Eddie Caldwell, executive vice president and general counsel of the North Carolina Sheriffs Association. 'He didn't just talk about law enforcement partnerships; he made them real, partnering with sheriffs for solutions and backing them up with action. Under his leadership, we made real progress— violent crime down, overdose deaths falling, and tighter collaboration. Easley set a new gold standard for what it means to lead in federal law enforcement.' 'We are deeply grateful for the years that U.S. Attorney Easley served at the helm of the Eastern District of North Carolina,' Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said. 'His leadership, particularly through collaborative efforts, like the VCAP initiative, played a critical role in prosecuting violent offenders. His work has significantly contributed to our goal of making Raleigh one of the safest cities in the nation. He will be greatly missed.' Easley's office didn't provide a reason for why he's stepping down. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
