How It Went Today

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Today NC Veterans gathered in Raleigh to conduct a Support Our Troops Rally in front of the NC Legislative Bldg. After the rally we filed into the Legislative Bldg to seek out our State Senator's as well as State Legislators to voice our disapproval at the state trying to balance the state budget on the backs of veterans by cutting benefits appropriations funding.

Once again, a show of force yielded results and no cuts were made this year to balance the 2004 budget! In addition we are seeking our own NC Dept of Veterans Affairs which would be attached to the office of Governor for administrative purposes. Currently, NC is 1 of 17 states that do not have this.

House Bill 421, an act to make Veterans Day a holiday for school personnel and students enrolled in public schools. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to all school years beginning with the 2004-2005 school year. This was to be voted upon today.

We asked that a bill deleting or excluding the non-profit organizat
ions from paying 3% sales tax on tickets sold for entertainment be considered.

Lastly we gave personal thank you's to those that last year voted to restore the funds for scholarships programs in complying with G.S. 165-22.1B

We are expecting the 3% tax to be repealed and passage of Veterans Day for the public schools..should know this tomorrow. All in all a great days work for those veterans whom cared enought o make the trip to Raleigh to fight for not only their bebfits but for those that continue to lie back and desire the reaping of rewards from the hard work of others.

Doc