1 00:01:25,009 --> 00:01:25,259 I I would encourage you that are 2 00:01:26,776 --> 00:01:27,026 going to be here next year and 3 00:01:27,409 --> 00:01:27,659 in the years to come that 4 00:01:28,409 --> 00:01:28,659 the veterans that we have 5 00:01:32,442 --> 00:01:32,692 in the chamber 6 00:01:34,409 --> 00:01:34,659 as well as here in this 7 00:01:38,409 --> 00:01:38,659 that they they look at what 8 00:01:45,109 --> 00:01:45,359 problems that a lot of veterans 9 00:01:46,609 --> 00:01:46,859 are going through in your 10 00:01:47,176 --> 00:01:47,426 district 11 00:01:50,342 --> 00:01:50,592 and try to look at that through 12 00:01:51,009 --> 00:01:51,259 a lens as to what can I 13 00:01:54,876 --> 00:01:55,126 the 14 00:01:56,376 --> 00:01:56,626 the problems 15 00:02:04,709 --> 00:02:04,959 guests that we bring in sort 16 00:02:05,376 --> 00:02:05,626 of that 17 00:02:12,909 --> 00:02:13,159 things that we did and the 18 00:02:14,342 --> 00:02:14,592 reason that I wanted to do that 19 00:02:15,009 --> 00:02:15,259 was so 20 00:02:26,409 --> 00:02:26,659 cc es s to those to help 21 00:02:34,409 --> 00:02:34,659 how would be remiss if I didn't 22 00:02:37,109 --> 00:02:37,359 make comments that we there's a 23 00:02:38,809 --> 00:02:39,059 gentleman that's in the in the 24 00:02:40,576 --> 00:02:40,826 audience right now there was he 25 00:02:41,242 --> 00:02:41,492 was the chairman 26 00:02:42,376 --> 00:02:42,626 during my freshman year my 27 00:02:47,109 --> 00:02:47,359 Chuck Basie was 28 00:02:50,376 --> 00:02:50,626 he was the chairman I was the 29 00:02:51,042 --> 00:02:51,292 vice chair and he got promoted 30 00:02:54,409 --> 00:02:54,659 jobs and became the chair of 31 00:03:12,309 --> 00:03:12,559 I had a talk with the speaker 32 00:03:13,176 --> 00:03:13,426 elect yesterday we met 33 00:03:18,309 --> 00:03:18,559 and I put a bug in his ear as to 34 00:03:20,309 --> 00:03:20,559 who I would like to see 35 00:03:22,376 --> 00:03:22,626 appointed the chair and vice 36 00:03:23,042 --> 00:03:23,292 chair of 37 00:03:34,576 --> 00:03:34,826 I don't have any idea who 38 00:03:35,142 --> 00:03:35,392 it's going to be 39 00:03:36,876 --> 00:03:37,126 but I did give him 40 00:03:38,409 --> 00:03:38,659 two names of 41 00:03:42,409 --> 00:03:42,659 at his leisure he'll do it 42 00:03:46,842 --> 00:03:47,092 name of veterans and armed 43 00:03:47,409 --> 00:03:47,659 forces 44 00:03:48,442 --> 00:03:48,692 I think that 45 00:03:51,009 --> 00:03:51,259 Victor Patterson 46 00:03:54,409 --> 00:03:54,659 did I think was really it was 47 00:03:55,076 --> 00:03:55,326 a good 48 00:03:58,976 --> 00:03:59,226 eterans 49 00:04:02,409 --> 00:04:02,659 but look at active duty military 50 00:04:03,076 --> 00:04:03,326 to look at our reservist 51 00:04:08,409 --> 00:04:08,659 re legislation that would be 52 00:04:14,542 --> 00:04:14,792 year and the bills that we had 53 00:04:16,409 --> 00:04:16,659 that we got passed that really 54 00:04:17,076 --> 00:04:17,326 benefited the National Guard 55 00:04:20,842 --> 00:04:21,092 and quite frankly 56 00:04:24,409 --> 00:04:24,659 in afghanistan and Iraq 57 00:04:28,576 --> 00:04:28,826 our reservist and National Guard 58 00:04:30,376 --> 00:04:30,626 many of them were over there a 59 00:04:31,042 --> 00:04:31,292 lot more times than 60 00:04:36,409 --> 00:04:36,659 look at what they're going 61 00:04:36,942 --> 00:04:37,192 through and 62 00:04:45,076 --> 00:04:45,326 I did want to have 63 00:04:48,409 --> 00:04:48,659 p re s ent ative Job and I are 64 00:04:49,042 --> 00:04:49,292 on the 65 00:04:50,776 --> 00:04:51,026 and 66 00:04:54,442 --> 00:04:54,692 I want to bring in the director 67 00:04:55,109 --> 00:04:55,359 of the 68 00:05:00,309 --> 00:05:00,559 retired colonel Paul Kirchhoff 69 00:05:01,109 --> 00:05:01,359 and have him kind of give you an 70 00:05:04,542 --> 00:05:04,792 update as to what's going on 71 00:05:05,209 --> 00:05:05,459 with our veterans 72 00:05:08,409 --> 00:05:08,659 homes the veterans cemeteries 73 00:05:09,076 --> 00:05:09,326 the veteran service officers and 74 00:05:14,576 --> 00:05:14,826 give him an opportunity so you 75 00:05:15,242 --> 00:05:15,492 can take 76 00:05:20,376 --> 00:05:20,626 American leggions DA 77 00:05:24,842 --> 00:05:25,092 Colonel and when you're ready 78 00:05:25,509 --> 00:05:25,759 you can proceed. 79 00:05:28,842 --> 00:05:29,092 right for the record Paul 80 00:05:30,309 --> 00:05:30,559 Kurchoff, executive director of 81 00:05:30,942 --> 00:05:31,192 the Missouri's Veterans 82 00:05:31,509 --> 00:05:31,759 Commission 83 00:05:34,309 --> 00:05:34,559 now know how my dad was a 84 00:05:35,076 --> 00:05:35,326 preacher now I know how he felt 85 00:05:36,376 --> 00:05:36,626 because everybody's in the back 86 00:05:40,576 --> 00:05:40,826 right so anyways so hey I want 87 00:05:43,009 --> 00:05:43,259 to thank each of you for 88 00:05:44,609 --> 00:05:44,859 everything that you've done to 89 00:05:46,576 --> 00:05:46,826 help veterans and the armed 90 00:05:49,042 --> 00:05:49,292 services over the last at least 91 00:05:51,076 --> 00:05:51,326 a couple of years it is it is 92 00:05:52,809 --> 00:05:53,059 making a difference you all are 93 00:05:54,576 --> 00:05:54,826 making a difference. I was just 94 00:05:56,342 --> 00:05:56,592 saying you know it's kind of a 95 00:05:57,042 --> 00:05:57,292 team game to care for veterans 96 00:05:58,842 --> 00:05:59,092 whether it's you all whether 97 00:06:00,342 --> 00:06:00,592 it's the governor's office, 98 00:06:02,309 --> 00:06:02,559 whether it's the Missouri law 99 00:06:04,576 --> 00:06:04,826 clinic whether it's the the the 100 00:06:06,409 --> 00:06:06,659 veteranservice organizations it 101 00:06:07,076 --> 00:06:07,326 all it takes 102 00:06:09,042 --> 00:06:09,292 all of us to care for veterans 103 00:06:10,809 --> 00:06:11,059 and we all have to work together 104 00:06:12,809 --> 00:06:13,059 and I'm seeing a lot more of 105 00:06:15,076 --> 00:06:15,326 that going forward in the last 106 00:06:16,809 --> 00:06:17,059 couple of years seeing more of 107 00:06:20,576 --> 00:06:20,826 that teamwork of let's let's do 108 00:06:21,276 --> 00:06:21,526 whatever it takes to help 109 00:06:22,809 --> 00:06:23,059 veterans so thank you for doing 110 00:06:23,476 --> 00:06:23,726 that 111 00:06:26,309 --> 00:06:26,559 would start with the with the 112 00:06:29,042 --> 00:06:29,292 homes the we are you know 113 00:06:31,042 --> 00:06:31,292 continuing to have difficulty 114 00:06:33,042 --> 00:06:33,292 with a couple of ones fiscally 115 00:06:35,109 --> 00:06:35,359 we're we're we're making making 116 00:06:36,376 --> 00:06:36,626 do but we're not thriving we're 117 00:06:37,042 --> 00:06:37,292 kind of doing 118 00:06:40,809 --> 00:06:41,059 that surviving mode particularly 119 00:06:42,576 --> 00:06:42,826 in the homes and a lot of that's 120 00:06:44,309 --> 00:06:44,559 due to you know we're still 121 00:06:46,776 --> 00:06:47,026 having difficulty retaining 122 00:06:48,576 --> 00:06:48,826 staff. We can recruit them we're 123 00:06:50,309 --> 00:06:50,559 doing a great job of recruiting. 124 00:06:51,042 --> 00:06:51,292 we've got great recruiting 125 00:06:54,342 --> 00:06:54,592 efforts but if you you probably 126 00:06:56,342 --> 00:06:56,592 know working in a in a veteran's 127 00:06:58,309 --> 00:06:58,559 home or a nursing home of any's 128 00:07:00,309 --> 00:07:00,559 it's difficult work and so 129 00:07:02,309 --> 00:07:02,559 retaining them is the difficult 130 00:07:03,042 --> 00:07:03,292 part and it's you know part of 131 00:07:03,742 --> 00:07:03,992 it's the what we pay but 132 00:07:06,576 --> 00:07:06,826 you know in many ways we're 133 00:07:08,576 --> 00:07:08,826 we're very competitive there but 134 00:07:10,576 --> 00:07:10,826 it's just you combine the 135 00:07:12,309 --> 00:07:12,559 difficulty of the work the 136 00:07:13,276 --> 00:07:13,526 mandation which is whenever 137 00:07:15,042 --> 00:07:15,292 somebody calls in sick we we 138 00:07:18,309 --> 00:07:18,559 have to make somebody stay 139 00:07:20,542 --> 00:07:20,792 overpass their their regularly 140 00:07:22,542 --> 00:07:22,792 scheduled hours and we have to 141 00:07:24,309 --> 00:07:24,559 do that because the VA requires 142 00:07:26,576 --> 00:07:26,826 a certain patient to to 143 00:07:28,609 --> 00:07:28,859 caregiver ratio where you don't 144 00:07:31,076 --> 00:07:31,326 find in private homes so as a 145 00:07:32,809 --> 00:07:33,059 result of that we're looking at 146 00:07:33,476 --> 00:07:33,726 several options. One is 147 00:07:34,042 --> 00:07:34,292 increasing 148 00:07:38,542 --> 00:07:38,792 what what is being charged in 149 00:07:40,776 --> 00:07:41,026 room and care rate we're we're 150 00:07:44,542 --> 00:07:44,792 currently about $1600 a month 151 00:07:46,809 --> 00:07:47,059 that's well well below what 152 00:07:49,009 --> 00:07:49,259 you'll find anywhere else so we 153 00:07:52,776 --> 00:07:53,026 have a we made a proposal to the 154 00:07:54,542 --> 00:07:54,792 commissioners 155 00:07:56,876 --> 00:07:57,126 we have more work to do as far 156 00:07:58,809 --> 00:07:59,059 as whether or not that'll be 157 00:08:00,576 --> 00:08:00,826 approved and how it'll be 158 00:08:03,076 --> 00:08:03,326 approved but I foresee that 159 00:08:03,709 --> 00:08:03,959 there will be 160 00:08:06,376 --> 00:08:06,626 we have to do something to 161 00:08:06,942 --> 00:08:07,192 increase 162 00:08:10,809 --> 00:08:11,059 veterans and keep in mind 163 00:08:12,309 --> 00:08:12,559 there's a difference so there's 164 00:08:15,042 --> 00:08:15,292 the full cost of care who are70% 165 00:08:17,042 --> 00:08:17,292 or above their they're they're 166 00:08:18,409 --> 00:08:18,659 free they don't have we don't 167 00:08:19,076 --> 00:08:19,326 charge them 168 00:08:23,042 --> 00:08:23,292 but if you're below70% we have 169 00:08:26,542 --> 00:08:26,792 to charge a an amount currently 170 00:08:30,309 --> 00:08:30,559 around $100 to to the veterans 171 00:08:32,309 --> 00:08:32,559 and we're looking at increasing 172 00:08:34,609 --> 00:08:34,859 that amount we're also 173 00:08:35,109 --> 00:08:35,359 haven't talked about this to the 174 00:08:36,576 --> 00:08:36,826 commissioners but one of the 175 00:08:39,109 --> 00:08:39,359 things we we need to look at is 176 00:08:42,842 --> 00:08:43,092 reducing our our beds with that 177 00:08:44,409 --> 00:08:44,659 we are certified for with the 178 00:08:45,076 --> 00:08:45,326 VA. 179 00:08:46,842 --> 00:08:47,092 we haven't been able to meet our 180 00:08:50,309 --> 00:08:50,559 bed count for well at least 181 00:08:52,309 --> 00:08:52,559 seven years and part of that's 182 00:08:53,009 --> 00:08:53,259 due to you know if we don't have 183 00:08:54,576 --> 00:08:54,826 the staff we can't bring in the 184 00:08:55,242 --> 00:08:55,492 veterans 185 00:08:58,576 --> 00:08:58,826 and also there is a reduced 186 00:09:00,309 --> 00:09:00,559 number of veterans on our 187 00:09:02,309 --> 00:09:02,559 waiting list. we see what we're 188 00:09:03,042 --> 00:09:03,292 seeing is more veterans waiting 189 00:09:03,742 --> 00:09:03,992 longer to come into the homes 190 00:09:09,009 --> 00:09:09,259 we're also seeing that that a 191 00:09:10,742 --> 00:09:10,992 reduction of the number of 192 00:09:12,809 --> 00:09:13,059 veterans on our waiting list so 193 00:09:14,542 --> 00:09:14,792 we have less to less to choose 194 00:09:16,809 --> 00:09:17,059 from we're also seeing a an 195 00:09:19,009 --> 00:09:19,259 increase in memory care veterans 196 00:09:22,309 --> 00:09:22,559 which have a higher number which 197 00:09:23,276 --> 00:09:23,526 require a higher number of of 198 00:09:23,942 --> 00:09:24,192 caregivers so 199 00:09:27,076 --> 00:09:27,326 a lot of things go into that and 200 00:09:30,576 --> 00:09:30,826 by reducing our our count our 201 00:09:32,809 --> 00:09:33,059 bed count with the VA it 202 00:09:34,576 --> 00:09:34,826 increases our our reimbursement 203 00:09:36,309 --> 00:09:36,559 from the VA right now we're not 204 00:09:38,576 --> 00:09:38,826 meeting the minimum requirements 205 00:09:39,276 --> 00:09:39,526 so we're we're losing money that 206 00:09:39,942 --> 00:09:40,192 way 207 00:09:44,609 --> 00:09:44,859 talked about the home staffing 208 00:09:46,776 --> 00:09:47,026 particularly we see that in in 209 00:09:48,776 --> 00:09:49,026 St. James and Warrensburg but 210 00:09:50,509 --> 00:09:50,759 occasionally you know the start 211 00:09:52,542 --> 00:09:52,792 of school and holidays we see 212 00:09:54,376 --> 00:09:54,626 that reduction of staffing 213 00:09:54,909 --> 00:09:55,159 people 214 00:10:00,342 --> 00:10:00,592 time frames in all of the homes 215 00:10:02,342 --> 00:10:02,592 but primarily in St. James and 216 00:10:03,009 --> 00:10:03,259 Warrensburg 217 00:10:07,042 --> 00:10:07,292 so that's the homemes I like to 218 00:10:10,776 --> 00:10:11,026 say that we're in we've done 219 00:10:14,309 --> 00:10:14,559 year two of our veteran suicide 220 00:10:16,309 --> 00:10:16,559 prevention that's one person 221 00:10:17,009 --> 00:10:17,259 doing that. I'll keep that in 222 00:10:18,342 --> 00:10:18,592 mind so we have made 223 00:10:20,809 --> 00:10:21,059 recommendations in our left to 224 00:10:22,609 --> 00:10:22,859 boom report if you haven't read 225 00:10:24,576 --> 00:10:24,826 that I'd encourage you to to 226 00:10:26,542 --> 00:10:26,792 read the Left aboom report 227 00:10:28,309 --> 00:10:28,559 because first year kind of laid 228 00:10:29,276 --> 00:10:29,526 the groundwork second year we're 229 00:10:30,809 --> 00:10:31,059 given recommendations and we'll 230 00:10:32,676 --> 00:10:32,926 continue to do that going 231 00:10:33,209 --> 00:10:33,459 forward in the next 232 00:10:36,842 --> 00:10:37,092 year. I will saylindsay is our 233 00:10:38,576 --> 00:10:38,826 veteran suicide prevention 234 00:10:40,542 --> 00:10:40,792 coordinator but we've also she's 235 00:10:42,309 --> 00:10:42,559 our our women's veterans 236 00:10:43,042 --> 00:10:43,292 coordinator. We just started 237 00:10:46,309 --> 00:10:46,559 that this year and rejuvenated 238 00:10:47,309 --> 00:10:47,559 it we hadn't had one in several 239 00:10:48,409 --> 00:10:48,659 years and it's the right thing 240 00:10:49,076 --> 00:10:49,326 to do 241 00:10:56,809 --> 00:10:57,059 when it comes to the cemeteries, 242 00:10:59,009 --> 00:10:59,259 huge leaps forward thanks to you 243 00:11:02,842 --> 00:11:03,092 in that our our equipment has 244 00:11:06,342 --> 00:11:06,592 been updated our staff are you 245 00:11:08,309 --> 00:11:08,559 know it's amazing the equipment 246 00:11:10,309 --> 00:11:10,559 being updated did more to 247 00:11:12,309 --> 00:11:12,559 increase the staff morale than 248 00:11:14,342 --> 00:11:14,592 pay raises and mean they were so 249 00:11:15,076 --> 00:11:15,326 frustrated with the equipment 250 00:11:16,809 --> 00:11:17,059 and that has done so much our 251 00:11:18,809 --> 00:11:19,059 cemeteries are among the finest 252 00:11:21,042 --> 00:11:21,292 when I travel my wife hates it 253 00:11:22,942 --> 00:11:23,192 but when I travel I stop at 254 00:11:23,509 --> 00:11:23,759 Veterans cemeteries throughout 255 00:11:26,576 --> 00:11:26,826 the the country and I don't find 256 00:11:28,542 --> 00:11:28,792 any better than ours guarantee 257 00:11:30,576 --> 00:11:30,826 you that. Please stop at one, 258 00:11:31,342 --> 00:11:31,592 talk to the staff, thank them 259 00:11:32,576 --> 00:11:32,826 for what they're doing if you 260 00:11:34,576 --> 00:11:34,826 haven't because they're they're 261 00:11:35,309 --> 00:11:35,559 doing they're doing God's work 262 00:11:35,976 --> 00:11:36,226 out there 263 00:11:38,576 --> 00:11:38,826 when it comes to our our 264 00:11:40,809 --> 00:11:41,059 veterans service officers we 265 00:11:42,542 --> 00:11:42,792 have about50 veteran service 266 00:11:44,809 --> 00:11:45,059 officers which is equates to a 267 00:11:48,776 --> 00:11:49,026 3000 to1 3000 veterans for every 268 00:11:50,576 --> 00:11:50,826 service veterans service officer 269 00:11:52,809 --> 00:11:53,059 whether it's ours the American 270 00:11:56,576 --> 00:11:56,826 Legion DAV VFW all those so that 271 00:11:58,542 --> 00:11:58,792 tells you their workload our our 272 00:12:00,342 --> 00:12:00,592 veteran service officers worked 273 00:12:02,309 --> 00:12:02,559 very hard and they have to know 274 00:12:04,342 --> 00:12:04,592 everything from law to medicine 275 00:12:05,176 --> 00:12:05,426 to you name it they got to they 276 00:12:05,842 --> 00:12:06,092 hear about it so 277 00:12:10,309 --> 00:12:10,559 it is it is tough we've we've 278 00:12:12,309 --> 00:12:12,559 stopped the we were losing a lot 279 00:12:14,542 --> 00:12:14,792 of veteran service officers we 280 00:12:16,376 --> 00:12:16,626 stopped that thanks again to 281 00:12:20,609 --> 00:12:20,859 their pay increases 282 00:12:25,076 --> 00:12:25,326 in part to just we we've our 283 00:12:27,109 --> 00:12:27,359 team has done a good job of 284 00:12:30,309 --> 00:12:30,559 increasing that morale but you 285 00:12:34,576 --> 00:12:34,826 will see going forward the 286 00:12:36,309 --> 00:12:36,559 claims agents are in claims 287 00:12:36,942 --> 00:12:37,192 shark bills at least I hope so 288 00:12:40,676 --> 00:12:40,926 and what I would ask is that 289 00:12:44,342 --> 00:12:44,592 and I think there's progress 290 00:12:45,109 --> 00:12:45,359 to it let's let's come up with 291 00:12:45,776 --> 00:12:46,026 one 292 00:12:46,476 --> 00:12:46,726 one 293 00:12:53,109 --> 00:12:53,359 if we have too many to too many 294 00:12:55,109 --> 00:12:55,359 bills out there it muddies the 295 00:12:57,076 --> 00:12:57,326 water makes things a lot more 296 00:13:01,076 --> 00:13:01,326 difficult and for everyone but 297 00:13:04,309 --> 00:13:04,559 mostly our veterans and I want 298 00:13:06,576 --> 00:13:06,826 to point out that that money if 299 00:13:08,342 --> 00:13:08,592 it's a claim shark that money's 300 00:13:09,009 --> 00:13:09,259 going out of state it doesn't 301 00:13:09,676 --> 00:13:09,926 stay in Missouri 302 00:13:12,842 --> 00:13:13,092 that's money thousands of 303 00:13:14,309 --> 00:13:14,559 dollars that are going to 304 00:13:14,842 --> 00:13:15,092 someone else other than our 305 00:13:15,376 --> 00:13:15,626 veterans 306 00:13:19,076 --> 00:13:19,326 and then this is not a this is 307 00:13:22,342 --> 00:13:22,592 not a problem that is new this 308 00:13:24,576 --> 00:13:24,826 is something we've we saw after 309 00:13:26,409 --> 00:13:26,659 the revolutionary War after the 310 00:13:27,076 --> 00:13:27,326 Civil War 311 00:13:34,309 --> 00:13:34,559 I'm not saying that claims 312 00:13:35,076 --> 00:13:35,326 agents are bad. I'm just saying 313 00:13:36,842 --> 00:13:37,092 I want you to think about that 314 00:13:38,842 --> 00:13:39,092 there's there there we need to 315 00:13:41,076 --> 00:13:41,326 come up with some way of putting 316 00:13:44,876 --> 00:13:45,126 guidelines in place to to to 317 00:13:46,609 --> 00:13:46,859 make sure that we're we're 318 00:13:48,609 --> 00:13:48,859 taking care of the veterans in 319 00:13:52,309 --> 00:13:52,559 Missouri also bring up property 320 00:13:53,076 --> 00:13:53,326 tax exemptions I don't know one 321 00:13:55,076 --> 00:13:55,326 way or the other. I know it's I 322 00:13:56,842 --> 00:13:57,092 know it's it would be best for 323 00:13:58,842 --> 00:13:59,092 Missouri's veterans to have have 324 00:14:00,442 --> 00:14:00,692 that. I know that that's 325 00:14:01,009 --> 00:14:01,259 probably the number one 326 00:14:04,576 --> 00:14:04,826 call I get from veterans who are 327 00:14:06,342 --> 00:14:06,592 who are wondering about 328 00:14:08,309 --> 00:14:08,559 veteran's benefits they don't 329 00:14:08,909 --> 00:14:09,159 ask about the homes they don't 330 00:14:10,842 --> 00:14:11,092 ask about the cemeteries they 331 00:14:12,542 --> 00:14:12,792 ask what do we have for property 332 00:14:13,276 --> 00:14:13,526 tax and they do that because 333 00:14:14,542 --> 00:14:14,792 when they're getting out of the 334 00:14:16,809 --> 00:14:17,059 military they they shop around 335 00:14:19,109 --> 00:14:19,359 they shop of states and 336 00:14:20,842 --> 00:14:21,092 whichever one is going to be 337 00:14:22,309 --> 00:14:22,559 their best interests a lot of 338 00:14:22,942 --> 00:14:23,192 them are going to go to that 339 00:14:25,076 --> 00:14:25,326 state so that that's food for 340 00:14:26,809 --> 00:14:27,059 thought if we don't do something 341 00:14:28,442 --> 00:14:28,692 we're going to we are falling 342 00:14:29,109 --> 00:14:29,359 behind other states 343 00:14:37,109 --> 00:14:37,359 again want to thank you all for 344 00:14:38,809 --> 00:14:39,059 everything you do Representative 345 00:14:40,409 --> 00:14:40,659 Griffith, I feel like I'm 346 00:14:40,942 --> 00:14:41,192 losing my right arm. 347 00:14:44,376 --> 00:14:44,626 can't tell you how bad this 348 00:14:44,942 --> 00:14:45,192 hurts to 349 00:14:50,842 --> 00:14:51,092 you're no longer you know be 350 00:14:52,576 --> 00:14:52,826 part of the commission itself 351 00:14:53,176 --> 00:14:53,426 howlle 352 00:14:56,809 --> 00:14:57,059 invaluable to us thank you for 353 00:14:58,542 --> 00:14:58,792 what you've done keeping us 354 00:14:59,309 --> 00:14:59,559 informed keeping him straight 355 00:14:59,976 --> 00:15:00,226 probably most of the time 356 00:15:04,342 --> 00:15:04,592 but thank you all for 357 00:15:04,776 --> 00:15:05,026 everything you do for Missouri's 358 00:15:05,442 --> 00:15:05,692 veterans with that all 359 00:15:07,076 --> 00:15:07,326 One thing 360 00:15:10,309 --> 00:15:10,559 colonel if you would 361 00:15:12,376 --> 00:15:12,626 kind of give an update on the 362 00:15:13,042 --> 00:15:13,292 veteran's home in St. Lou 363 00:15:17,242 --> 00:15:17,492 So we had we've had quite a bit 364 00:15:20,376 --> 00:15:20,626 of construction go on in in St. 365 00:15:21,009 --> 00:15:21,259 Louis 366 00:15:25,109 --> 00:15:25,359 going to say it's we're a victim 367 00:15:28,576 --> 00:15:28,826 of our process in that lowest 368 00:15:30,809 --> 00:15:31,059 bidder isn't always best bidder 369 00:15:34,542 --> 00:15:34,792 and so whenever you you know 370 00:15:36,842 --> 00:15:37,092 I was an army engineer one of 371 00:15:38,609 --> 00:15:38,859 the things I knew was if you 372 00:15:39,276 --> 00:15:39,526 have a drain you have fall to it 373 00:15:42,609 --> 00:15:42,859 it should drain to the drain 374 00:15:46,309 --> 00:15:46,559 right evidently the construction 375 00:15:47,076 --> 00:15:47,326 company in St. Louis didn't 376 00:15:48,842 --> 00:15:49,092 believe that or know about that 377 00:15:50,809 --> 00:15:51,059 and so the the drain this is 378 00:15:52,542 --> 00:15:52,792 just one example of the problem 379 00:15:54,309 --> 00:15:54,559 the drains were draining to the 380 00:15:56,576 --> 00:15:56,826 room away from the drain the 381 00:15:57,142 --> 00:15:57,392 water was from the showers 382 00:16:00,809 --> 00:16:01,059 so so that's that's just an 383 00:16:02,576 --> 00:16:02,826 example probably the most 384 00:16:04,309 --> 00:16:04,559 egregious example of the 385 00:16:05,109 --> 00:16:05,359 problems that we had in the 386 00:16:05,642 --> 00:16:05,892 construction 387 00:16:09,309 --> 00:16:09,559 in St. Louis we finally got rid 388 00:16:09,942 --> 00:16:10,192 of that contractor 389 00:16:11,009 --> 00:16:11,259 started anew 390 00:16:15,042 --> 00:16:15,292 and we have 22 wings that are 391 00:16:17,009 --> 00:16:17,259 under construction. One is under 392 00:16:18,776 --> 00:16:19,026 construction that's the one with 393 00:16:20,776 --> 00:16:21,026 the improper fall and one that's 394 00:16:22,542 --> 00:16:22,792 being getting ready for 395 00:16:24,609 --> 00:16:24,859 construction we're we're on the 396 00:16:26,576 --> 00:16:26,826 right track now but from the 397 00:16:28,809 --> 00:16:29,059 time I started this that that 398 00:16:30,809 --> 00:16:31,059 construction of that those wings 399 00:16:32,842 --> 00:16:33,092 in St. Louis has been going on 400 00:16:34,776 --> 00:16:35,026 since before I've started and 401 00:16:35,442 --> 00:16:35,692 I've been here7 years 402 00:16:38,809 --> 00:16:39,059 and think about this that's 403 00:16:40,876 --> 00:16:41,126 money lost to the eteran's 404 00:16:42,842 --> 00:16:43,092 commission because that's money 405 00:16:44,609 --> 00:16:44,859 and reimbursement that's 406 00:16:46,309 --> 00:16:46,559 veterans who aren't in a home 407 00:16:48,309 --> 00:16:48,559 who could be because oddly 408 00:16:49,042 --> 00:16:49,292 enough St. Louis is one of them 409 00:16:50,542 --> 00:16:50,792 that I could staff but I can't 410 00:16:51,209 --> 00:16:51,459 because 411 00:16:56,809 --> 00:16:57,059 I feel like we're on the 412 00:16:58,842 --> 00:16:59,092 right track. I said as I said in 413 00:17:00,809 --> 00:17:01,059 St. Louis we've got a good 414 00:17:02,542 --> 00:17:02,792 contractor we are getting 415 00:17:04,609 --> 00:17:04,859 support from OA FMDC now 416 00:17:08,576 --> 00:17:08,826 and so I'm'm I see that going 417 00:17:10,809 --> 00:17:11,059 well but we we still have 418 00:17:12,576 --> 00:17:12,826 construction problems 419 00:17:13,042 --> 00:17:13,292 Warrensburg's kind of going 420 00:17:15,009 --> 00:17:15,259 through that same thing of what 421 00:17:16,809 --> 00:17:17,059 we went through in St. Louis but 422 00:17:18,876 --> 00:17:19,126 just on a different project it's 423 00:17:20,809 --> 00:17:21,059 not all the contractors but 424 00:17:23,409 --> 00:17:23,659 there are some problems when it 425 00:17:25,009 --> 00:17:25,259 comes to lowest bidder 426 00:17:26,576 --> 00:17:26,826 requirements and construct 427 00:17:32,776 --> 00:17:33,026 And I think it's 428 00:17:36,809 --> 00:17:37,059 it's just a shame that we got we 429 00:17:38,809 --> 00:17:39,059 have we have the veterans who 430 00:17:40,542 --> 00:17:40,792 can get into these these homes 431 00:17:41,209 --> 00:17:41,459 especially in 432 00:17:46,409 --> 00:17:46,659 paul and his staff have kind of 433 00:17:47,076 --> 00:17:47,326 moved some people around 434 00:17:50,676 --> 00:17:50,926 get the numbers up to where they 435 00:17:51,342 --> 00:17:51,592 need to be 436 00:17:52,342 --> 00:17:52,592 but 437 00:17:56,409 --> 00:17:56,659 is a timeline when this is going 438 00:17:57,076 --> 00:17:57,326 to be 439 00:18:00,376 --> 00:18:00,626 And I even though I'm not going 440 00:18:01,042 --> 00:18:01,292 to be here 441 00:18:06,409 --> 00:18:06,659 kind of segues into the next 442 00:18:07,042 --> 00:18:07,292 thing I 443 00:18:11,342 --> 00:18:11,592 if you have not been to a 444 00:18:11,909 --> 00:18:12,159 veteran's home 445 00:18:19,109 --> 00:18:19,359 one thing you're gonna notice 446 00:18:20,376 --> 00:18:20,626 that when you walk into 447 00:18:24,942 --> 00:18:25,192 if we're going into a nursing 448 00:18:25,609 --> 00:18:25,859 home 449 00:18:28,409 --> 00:18:28,659 I won't say all of them but the 450 00:18:29,076 --> 00:18:29,326 big majority of them 451 00:18:34,376 --> 00:18:34,626 and you will not find 452 00:18:38,976 --> 00:18:39,226 that's there 453 00:18:42,809 --> 00:18:43,059 the care that's there the people 454 00:18:44,409 --> 00:18:44,659 that are there that are the 455 00:18:44,976 --> 00:18:45,226 staff that are working there 456 00:18:50,576 --> 00:18:50,826 we are blessed to have them with 457 00:18:51,209 --> 00:18:51,459 us and have them 458 00:18:54,842 --> 00:18:55,092 of them could leave us and go to 459 00:18:56,409 --> 00:18:56,659 work somewhere else and get paid 460 00:19:02,409 --> 00:19:02,659 but it's their way of and when 461 00:19:03,076 --> 00:19:03,326 you talk about public servants 462 00:19:03,742 --> 00:19:03,992 it's 463 00:19:06,409 --> 00:19:06,659 iv back to those that have 464 00:19:06,942 --> 00:19:07,192 served 465 00:19:12,542 --> 00:19:12,792 I'm glad that we the leg 466 00:19:14,942 --> 00:19:15,192 help keep them 467 00:19:18,542 --> 00:19:18,792 same thing is true with the with 468 00:19:19,209 --> 00:19:19,459 the cemeteries if 469 00:19:24,409 --> 00:19:24,659 memorial Day is a great day 470 00:19:24,942 --> 00:19:25,192 to go to those 471 00:19:32,376 --> 00:19:32,626 any questions from the 472 00:19:42,576 --> 00:19:42,826 thank you for the work that you 473 00:19:44,342 --> 00:19:44,592 have done and you continue to do 474 00:19:46,409 --> 00:19:46,659 there was a the baptist home had 475 00:19:47,076 --> 00:19:47,326 a 476 00:19:49,142 --> 00:19:49,392 bought a facility and was 477 00:19:50,809 --> 00:19:51,059 putting in a veteran's home in 478 00:19:52,842 --> 00:19:53,092 the Kansas City area which runs 479 00:19:54,809 --> 00:19:55,059 a part of that or did was you 480 00:19:56,842 --> 00:19:57,092 aware of any of that? No sir to 481 00:19:58,542 --> 00:19:58,792 either one I was not aware and 482 00:20:00,342 --> 00:20:00,592 we're not a part of that OK I 483 00:20:03,109 --> 00:20:03,359 didn't know be quite frank7 is 484 00:20:03,809 --> 00:20:04,059 enough 485 00:20:08,609 --> 00:20:08,859 and we're we're blessed with 486 00:20:10,342 --> 00:20:10,592 that mostst states only have one 487 00:20:12,809 --> 00:20:13,059 if they have any at all so no 488 00:20:14,809 --> 00:20:15,059 wasn't aware of that but I'm not 489 00:20:17,042 --> 00:20:17,292 looking to I would not look to 490 00:20:20,309 --> 00:20:20,559 increase our thank you very much 491 00:20:21,042 --> 00:20:21,292 the only thing I'd like to add 492 00:20:22,809 --> 00:20:23,059 is thank you chairman for the 493 00:20:25,109 --> 00:20:25,359 job you have done and it's been 494 00:20:28,309 --> 00:20:28,559 a pleasure to serve the last two 495 00:20:30,576 --> 00:20:30,826 years on this committee and you 496 00:20:32,309 --> 00:20:32,559 set the bar pretty high for the 497 00:20:33,376 --> 00:20:33,626 next the next person so thank 498 00:20:34,042 --> 00:20:34,292 you Mrr Chairman. 499 00:20:35,076 --> 00:20:35,326 Boykin 500 00:20:42,309 --> 00:20:42,559 to inquire good morning so you 501 00:20:44,809 --> 00:20:45,059 said there were50 VSOs is 502 00:20:46,542 --> 00:20:46,792 that across the entire state? 503 00:20:49,076 --> 00:20:49,326 correct so there's50 of the 504 00:20:51,009 --> 00:20:51,259 Missouri eteran's Commission VSs 505 00:20:53,009 --> 00:20:53,259 and then the organizations have 506 00:20:56,542 --> 00:20:56,792 VSos as well but if I think 507 00:20:58,842 --> 00:20:59,092 there's about 137 total but many 508 00:21:01,076 --> 00:21:01,326 of those don't do claim work or 509 00:21:03,076 --> 00:21:03,326 they do part time claim work so 510 00:21:05,076 --> 00:21:05,326 what you'll find is and they do 511 00:21:05,709 --> 00:21:05,959 great work 512 00:21:08,576 --> 00:21:08,826 in the in the veterans 513 00:21:10,609 --> 00:21:10,859 organizations but a lot of times 514 00:21:12,309 --> 00:21:12,559 they're in the in the urban 515 00:21:14,309 --> 00:21:14,559 areas so you'll find them in St. 516 00:21:15,042 --> 00:21:15,292 Louis, Kannessee, Springfield 517 00:21:16,876 --> 00:21:17,126 but you don't find them in the 518 00:21:18,576 --> 00:21:18,826 rural areas so we're one of the 519 00:21:20,542 --> 00:21:20,792 things that we we try to do is 520 00:21:23,042 --> 00:21:23,292 get to veterans who would would 521 00:21:24,642 --> 00:21:24,892 would not otherwise have one 522 00:21:25,309 --> 00:21:25,559 close by 523 00:21:26,409 --> 00:21:26,659 you ma'am 524 00:21:28,609 --> 00:21:28,859 d questions 525 00:21:33,009 --> 00:21:33,259 I want to close up this the 526 00:21:34,409 --> 00:21:34,659 hearing and thank you Paul 527 00:21:34,976 --> 00:21:35,226 for being here 528 00:21:40,309 --> 00:21:40,559 I do want to encourage you that 529 00:21:41,109 --> 00:21:41,359 are going to be back here again 530 00:21:41,776 --> 00:21:42,026 next year 531 00:21:43,342 --> 00:21:43,592 they're we're gonna have a 532 00:21:43,909 --> 00:21:44,159 veteran's caucus 533 00:21:45,042 --> 00:21:45,292 it's going to be made up 534 00:21:49,109 --> 00:21:49,359 of both Democrats and 535 00:21:50,842 --> 00:21:51,092 Republicans and the caucus is 536 00:21:51,509 --> 00:21:51,759 going to be 537 00:21:52,409 --> 00:21:52,659 kind of the 538 00:21:57,276 --> 00:21:57,526 looking at bills that we're 539 00:21:58,442 --> 00:21:58,692 going to be able to present 540 00:21:58,976 --> 00:21:59,226 forward and 541 00:22:02,842 --> 00:22:03,092 and have one voice on bills and 542 00:22:03,509 --> 00:22:03,759 not have 543 00:22:06,609 --> 00:22:06,859 9 bills all for the same thing 544 00:22:10,976 --> 00:22:11,226 we can't unfortunately we can't 545 00:22:11,609 --> 00:22:11,859 have our analysts 546 00:22:16,376 --> 00:22:16,626 they're limited as to what they 547 00:22:17,042 --> 00:22:17,292 how much they can tell you 548 00:22:20,576 --> 00:22:20,826 tell you that 549 00:22:22,842 --> 00:22:23,092 referee Brimley already fi filed 550 00:22:24,642 --> 00:22:24,892 that same bill so you can you 551 00:22:25,342 --> 00:22:25,592 don't have to file it 552 00:22:28,376 --> 00:22:28,626 but if we've got a caucus we 553 00:22:29,042 --> 00:22:29,292 can talk about those 554 00:22:35,142 --> 00:22:35,392 and when it comes to veteran's 555 00:22:38,309 --> 00:22:38,559 bills that's also a segue is to 556 00:22:39,009 --> 00:22:39,259 try to limit the number of 557 00:22:40,409 --> 00:22:40,659 bills that we have 558 00:22:44,309 --> 00:22:44,559 if they're all all the same bill 559 00:22:46,409 --> 00:22:46,659 let's get behind one and 560 00:22:46,976 --> 00:22:47,226 cosponsor it if you 561 00:22:50,409 --> 00:22:50,659 But I would encourage you that 562 00:22:53,042 --> 00:22:53,292 and vice chair 563 00:22:54,576 --> 00:22:54,826 that you 564 00:22:55,109 --> 00:22:55,359 talk with them 565 00:23:01,176 --> 00:23:01,426 we all are we're all on the same 566 00:23:01,842 --> 00:23:02,092 page 567 00:23:04,409 --> 00:23:04,659 any other comments from the 568 00:23:04,976 --> 00:23:05,226 committee 569 00:23:10,442 --> 00:23:10,692 that concludes the veterans and 570 00:23:11,109 --> 00:23:11,359 armmed Forcesittee. We now stand 571 00:23:11,776 --> 00:23:12,026 an adjourn