NJ veterans' department proposed by lawmakers
Mistakes made at vet homes prompt action
BY: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... After the mistakes at New Jersey's state-run veterans' homes during the pandemic, three state lawmakers announced Monday [03/24/2025] that they will be introducing legislation to establish a new standalone Department of veterans Affairs.
.....
the bill would restructure veteran's services, which are currently part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, into an independent Cabinet-level department to benefit the nearly 350,000 veterans in the state.
..... State Senators Joe Vitale and Joe
Cryan, along with Assemblywomen Cleopatra Tucker, said Monday [03/24/2025] that establishing a separate deportment would help veterans at the homes but also help provide services to all veterans throughout the state.
..... Vitale said the new department would provide a "direct line" to the governor for veterans and a "seat at the table."
..... "We're not inventing a new wheel here," Cryan said. "I believe it's 36 or 37 states that follow this model already ... We want to make sure that not only the lessons that we've learned of laser-focused services, bu that the bill encompasses all services for veterans."
..... Cryan said the lawmakers have been working with veterans' groups and will continue to do so during the legislative process.
..... Veterans and advocates were on hand at the announcement in Trenton on Monday. [03/24/2025] Jay Boxwell of the national legislative committee for the Veterans of Foreign Wars said the legislation "validates the important of making suer that our veterans are taken care of the right way."
.....
Boxwell noted that there had been a Department of Veterans Services, so this is a "full circle" moment
..... Specifics on how to overhaul the Department of Military and Veterans affairs and split it into two separate Cabinet-level departments were the basis of a report issued by McKinsey and Company, which was contracted by the state in 2023 after the federal government release a scathing report about the poor quality of care at veterans' homes during the pandemic. Governor Phil Murphy is on board with the separation.
..... The report said the transition cost is expected to be $6.7 million and then an additional $8 million annually.
..... Vitale said legislative leaders are supportive and he's hopeful to have the bill passed before the Legislature breaks for summer recess in June. [2025]
..... the proposal comes as the administration of President Donald Trump - through the Department of Government Efficiency - plans to lay off as many as 80,000 workers in the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.
..... Katie Sobko covers New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@norhtjersey.com