Legislators-at-work, Kansas edition.

The Kansas Legislature, facing a huge budget crisis of its own creation (with willing help from the Governor and the Supreme Court, mind you) finds itself at loose ends, since all options going forward are electorally painful, being either program cuts or tax increases, or both. So there is some attention being paid to easy-to-do feelgood stuff, so there can be some pandering resume padding for the next election cycle.

There’s a selection of revenue-neutral veteran-targeted bills introduced to this session. Heh. I have my own personal lobbyist-of-sorts who sends me these things, as her job involves rooting through all the legislative chaff looking for the nuggets and timebombs that might affect her employer.  Most of these bills are fine, really, and the one I have heartburn with is mostly fine - with caveats.

First up – the bill I have some real heartburn with is HB 2170, which adds a slew of customized veteran license plates, or, as I call it the Field Grade Feel Good License Plate Act of 2009.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1. K.S.A. 2008 Supp. 8-1,156 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8-1,156.

 

(a) Any person issued a license plate under the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1,140 or 8-1,146, and amendments thereto, upon submitting satisfactory proof to the director of vehicles in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the secretary, that such person was awarded a silver star or bronze star medal by the United States government, may request a decal for each license plate indicating the person was a recipient of a silver star or bronze star medal.

(b) On and after January 1, 2006, Any person issued a license plate under the provisions of K.S.A. 8-1,140 or 8-1,146, and amendments thereto, upon submitting satisfactory proof to the director of vehicles in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the secretary, that such person was awarded the legion of merit, a combat medical badge, army combat infantry badge, navy/marine corps combat action ribbon, army distinguished service cross, navy cross, air force cross or distinguished flying cross by the United States government, may request a decal for each license plate indicating the person was a recipient of the legion of merit, a combat medical badge, army combat infantry badge, navy/marine corps combat action ribbon, army distinguished service cross, navy cross, air force cross or distinguished flying cross.

For my non-military readers - "Field Grade," in Army parlance, means officers in the rank of Major through Colonel.  Lieutenants and Captains are "Company Grade."
Okay, we already have a Medal of Honor and Purple Heart license plate. Following the lead of other states, we’re wanting to add to the list. I have no problem with the Army Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Bronze Star, in addition to the Combat Medical Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Navy/Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon.

But. The Legion of Merit? Really? Sounds to me like this was proposed by a bunch of retired field grade officers who didn’t get any combat medals or badges who want a license plate for doing a good job in peacetime. I say that because it makes no distinction for a Legion of Merit as a retirement or non-combat performance award vice a combat zone award. There’s no “combat requirement” attached to that.

I have a small quibble with the Bronze Star – mainly because for officers it’s generally just a combat zone Meritorious Service Medal, but I know from anecdotal evidence amongst my brothers of the Reserve Components that the award criteria can be a little dicey from command to command. For officers, I’d like to see a “V” device qualifier, frankly. But for NCOs, that’s a different story altogether. You see an NCO with a Bronze Star, that has far more meaning, generally, than that same award on an officer. So I’ll support the Bronze Star because the NCO Corps is worthy of the recognition, but would really just prefer the distinction be for valor awards altogether, and no service awards beyond the "combat badges." 

I would also add the Combat Action Badge to the list, which was an oversight, I’m sure. But I really would like to see caveats for valor awards only, not service awards. You have a Legion of Merit with a V device, fine. But a plain old Legion of Merit? That makes this the Field Grade Feel Good License Plate Act of 2009, and dilutes the distinction. The decals will cost $2 each, and no more than two on the plate.

Moving on – HB 2138 creates the Military Family plate:

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
New Section 1. On and after January 1, 2010, any owner or lessee of one or more passenger vehicles, trucks of a gross weight of 20,000 pounds or less, motorcycles or travel trailers, who is a resident of the state of Kansas, may apply for and be issued one distinctive license plate for each such passenger vehicle, truck, motorcycle or travel trailer, a Kansas military family license plate.

In addition to allowing branch of service stickers it adds a provision that families that have lost a family member in service can put a Gold Star on the plate, as well. No problem from me on this one.

Next up is HB 2131, which changes the criteria for the Disabled Veteran license plate:

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1. K.S.A. 8-160 is hereby amended to read as follows: 8-160. As used in this act, the term ‘‘disabled veteran’’ means a person who has served in the armed forces of the United States and who is entitled to compensation for a one hundred percent (100%) disability under service connected disability of at least 50% and the laws administered by the veterans administration or who is entitled to compensation for the loss, or permanent loss of use, of one or both feet or one or both hands.

This is a “you qualify for handicapped parking” license plate, and is provided free to the veteran. As I have several friends who qualify for handicapped hangtags/plates who are well under the 100% proviso, I don’t have a lot of grump with this one… except I know a lot of people like me (rated at 70%) who would now qualify but don’t have prescriptions for hangtags. I could probably get one, but I don’t need the excuse to walk even less. Besides, I prefer my custom "Argghhh" plate.

 If this passes, I predict that finding an empty handicapped space on Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley, and in Manhattan, Junction City,  Leavenworth and Lansing will suddenly become a massive chore. There are a significant number of us in my world rated 50% or better. I would almost prefer to see this one restricted to people with less than 100% ratings who have hangtag prescriptions. But that’s just me being all picky.

Last, but not least – HB 2171, which establishes a Vietnam Medallion program:

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
Section 1. There is hereby created within the Kansas commission on veterans affairs, the Vietnam war medallion program. Every veteran who honorably served on active duty in the United States military service at any time beginning February 28, 1961, and ending May 7, 1975, shall be entitled to receive a Vietnam war medallion, medal and a certificate of appreciation.

And, we’re going to have some public input on the design of the award.

The Kansas commission on veterans affairs shall approve the form of the Vietnam war medallion, medal and the certificate. It is the intent of the legislature to create statewide involvement in the design of these symbols in recognition of this historic endeavor. The veterans’ commission may solicit potential designs from elementary and secondary schools, veterans’ groups, civic organizations or any other interested party, and may select the best design from among such solicited designs or may select another design.

It appears they want to fund it by donation and bequest, and will siphon off some Federal money provided for the maintenance of the state veteran’s cemeteries. Such funds are to be invested and not swiped by the legislature for other purposes, either.

Okay by me. I just wonder what about those other wars and such, too? Mind you, I don’t have a dog in this fight as the cutoff predates me by a smidge.

Well, when you have no money for anything substantive, I suppose handing out automotive gee-gaws is a way to go.  It gives you something for those press releases to the American Legion and VFW, Military Order of the World War, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Disabled American Veterans...

I know I'm being a bit persnickety here - but the Legion of Merit thing really chaps me for some reason.