They met with Governor Dannel Malloy, the state delegation and other officials. Shortly after conducting a brief survey of the area, they held a news briefing to update everyone with the latest available details.

What we do know is that last night around 6:08 pm an eastbound train headed to New Haven derailed for reasons unknown.
As the train cars derailed, they struck a westbound train, which also derailed as a result.

About 60 people were taken to area hospitals, some with very serious injuries. Three patients remained in critical condition Saturday morning, with two of those stable, according to officials at two Bridgeport hospitals.

There is significant track and overhead wire damage. Both trains were 8-car, M-8 trains.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) officials on scene say the investigation could be 7 to 10 days.

It’s important to note the tracks will not be shut down that whole time, however there will be issues commuting through the area.
The Department of Transportation is advising commuters to make alternate arrangements for the coming week. In addition the state will be working on running commuter buses to get people around the area in question.

NTSB officials will be trying to figure out why this happened and how to avoid this type of incident in the future.
Again commuters can expect delays for several days as Metro North has suspended service between South Norwalk and New Haven until further notice. During to this reduced service, trains well be crowed and commutesr are asked to use the Harlem line if possible. Regular service remains on the New Canaan and Danbury branch lines.

Metro North reports, “There are four tracks in this segment of the New Haven Line, but two of those tracks are out of service for a long-term project to replace overhead wires. On the remaining two tracks, there was extensive infrastructure damage as a result of the collision. Both the track and the overhead wire have been damaged. The train cars cannot be removed until the on-scene investigation is complete, and they will need to be removed by crane.

“Normal service through this area is not expected to resume until a full investigation is complete, the infrastructure is fully assessed, and repairs are made.”

Please also note that Amtrak has currently suspended service between New York and New Haven and has limited service between Boston and New Haven. Amtrak service is operating between New York, Philadelphia and DC. Amtrak shuttle service is operating as scheduled between New Haven and Springfield, MA.

A prolonged service disruption of one of the most congested sections of Metro North rail line can have widespread economic and logistical effects.

However, we are confident that federal and state investigators will work quickly to ascertain the cause and repair the damage so that commuters can regain confidence in the rail system.

In the interim , please, visit the following websites as updates will be posted www.ct.gov/dot and www.mta.info.
I want to thank the first responders in our area for their quick and sensitive work in aiding commuters on the scene. This type of disaster is very frightening for our commuting public. Please feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns you may have.

HARTFORD — Pledging to keep tuition as low as possible and work toward distancing the Board of Regents for Higher Education from its rocky start, Gregory W. Gray was named Thursday as the system’s new president.

Gray, 64, who heads the Riverside Community College District in California, will take over July 1.

“The most important thing for this new president to do is to restore trust and a sense of integrity in the system. I am extremely excited about the opportunity,” said Gray, facing reporters moments after the board voted unanimously to award him a three-year contract.

Gray said keeping tuition affordable when state appropriations continue to diminish is a challenge, but keeping colleges accessible is essential to improving the quality of life in the state and strengthening its workforce.

“I really worry that tuition will hit a point where you are limiting access to residents who can’t afford it,” said Gray.
Just last month, state university students picketed over a plan to raise tuition next year by 5 percent.

Gray follows Robert Kennedy, a president picked by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy before the Regents Board was in place. Kennedy resigned last October after it was learned he handed out nearly $300,000 in raises to staff without board approval.

Lewis Robinson, chairman of the board, on Thursday called the selection of Gray a new chapter for the still-young body.
“It’s been a long road,” said Robinson. “But we got through it and I think it is making us stronger.”

Gray will receive an annual salary of $380,000, use of a car and up to $25,000 for moving and temporary housing costs. He will not get some of the other perks Kennedy enjoyed, such as a paid, six-week “professional leave.”

The system over which Gray will preside includes 12 community colleges, four state universities and Charter Oak, the state’s online college. Together, the system has about 100,000 students, 96 percent of whom come from the state.

Yvette Melendez, vice chair of the board, said Gray has a terrific track record and a tremendous amount of energy.

Although some would have liked to see a more diverse candidate pool, Melendez said the board conducted a good search. She said she is grateful the state Legislature last month shifted the decision of who would be the next president from the governor’s hands to the board’s.

State Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, a ranking member of the Legislature’s Higher Education Committee, said she has read some of what Gray has written about leadership, finding it refreshing.

“According to Gray, the problem is not about money, programs, or performance, but a lack of leadership,” said Boucher. “I have great hope that this new president will reinvigorate the culture in the central office, improve morale and bring sound financial management practices of its resources.”

Malloy, in a written statement, called Gray, with more than 40 years in academia, an excellent choice.

A Pennsylvania native, Gray previously served at the State University of New York and Penn State University. He said one of his first goals will be to visit every campus to meet with students, staff and the community.

Anita Gliniecki, president of Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, promised to help him in that task by giving him her map that pinpoints every campus in the system.

“When you are new to the state, having that visual is really helpful. It was the map I used when I came some years ago,” Gliniecki said.

“School transportation funding should not be negotiable,” said Sen. Boucher. “These districts will have to make up the money in core areas such as educational programs and services.”

The budget approved by the Appropriations Committee – which Sen. Boucher voted against – eliminates funding for public and non-public school transportation by some $28 million per year. The Governor’s proposed budget also eliminated funding for school transportation. For instance, the town of Bethel would see a loss of $83,391 FY 13 in the proposed Appropriations budget vs. $68,089 FY 13 in the Governor’s proposed budget.

“In eliminating the transportation subsidy, both the Governor’s and the Committees’ proposals will replace the state allocation with a competitive grant program. The $5million in competitive funding is meant to incentivize districts to regionalize transportation services. However, the collation, and I agree, that the cost benefits suggested in this proposal would not materialize. Impracticalities would arise. Schools would need to merge so that bus runs could be reduced. If the numbers of schools would remain the same in a new region, the number of buses would remain the same unless there was a significant reduction in school populations. It is also unreasonable to expect children as young as five years old to ride a bus for as long as 2 hours if economies of scale could be truly realized,” stated Sen. Boucher.

“This idea of regionalizing buses that bring children to school around a wide ranging area would be a logistical nightmare. It should be considered that some of the barriers in implementing this include towns having different school calendars, different start times, and extra- curricular club schedules,” added Sen. Boucher. “Every dollar of state aid that gets cut could mean higher property taxes.”

Coupled with other budgets cuts, Senator Boucher contends the elimination of this transportation funding will shift more cost burdens onto property taxpayers to fund education services. This is especially troublesome for the state as Connecticut relies more on local property taxes to fund pre-k-12 public education than any other state in the nation according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“It should also be noted that many parents who choose a parochial or independent school to educate their children also pay the property taxes that fund local public schools,” said Sen. Boucher.

The general assembly will ultimately have to approve any budget that is finally placed before lawmakers. The legislative session is scheduled to end midnight, June 5.

“The Board of Regents (BOR) choice of Gregory Gray as the new President of the Connecticut Board of Regents is the first step in what I expect to be a new chapter for higher education in Connecticut.

“Gray the former Chancellor of the Riverside Community College District in California, a system with three community colleges and more than 2,000 employees will now oversee the BOR which governs 12 community colleges, four state universities and the state’s online institution.

“Gray has written about the subject ‘when leaders don’t lead.’ According to Gray, ‘the problem is not about money, programs, or performance, but a lack of leadership. He urged his students to be leaders who define reality for the people they lead, to be risk-takers, and to cultivate autonomous action.’

“I find this refreshing and have great hope that this new president will reinvigorate the culture in the central office, improve morale and bring sound financial management practices of its resources.

“Last fall, the board’s former president, resigned amid controversy after he handed out unauthorized pay increases for staff members totaling $250,000 and garnered a $350,000 salary, $25,000 in un-vouchered expenses, a nearly $40,000 car and other generous benefits while working ‘remotely’, from out of state for six weeks and a $25,000 performance bonus last summer for his ‘good work.’
“As a ranking member on the higher education committee I along with my colleagues, were outraged at the excessive compensation and power grab given to by the Governor’s office to this appointee and asked for his resignation.

“We also have proposed and passed new oversight legislation of the board of regents system to end such abuse in the higher education system. Included are two new policies: one addresses who appoints the president. Previously, it was the Governor.

“House Bill 6648: AN ACT CONCERNING THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION ; would permit the Board of Regents for Higher Education to appoint its own president, who shall serve at the pleasure of the board.

“I and my higher education committee co-chairs, along with Senate Minority Pro-Tempore, Len Fasano crafted the second piece of legislation. The new provision requires the BOR and the Board of Trustees for the University of Connecticut to go before the legislature with their budget expenditures, revenue and reserves.

“As the administration has stated, there are some lessons to be learned from some of the mistakes that were made by individuals in the regents system. I hope that these measures will mean a fresh start for a board that is in charge of a very important component of our state’s economy – the higher education of our citizens.

“These new policies will have the potential to have our higher education system function in a less political manner and better reflect best practices in good governance.”

(Senator Boucher is ranking member of both the Higher Education and Education Committees and Transportation represents the towns of Wilton, Bethel, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, New Canaan and Redding.)

Dr. Gray’s new contract includes an annual salary of $380,000 and use of a state vehicle along with the standard benefits of a state worker. Dr. Gray would also receive $25,000 for moving and temporary housing expenses related to his family’s move from California to Connecticut. This money will be reimbursed to Dr. Gray after providing receipts for qualifying expenses. The term of his employment will be three years and the Board of Regents will review Dr. Gray’s performance annually, without contractually stipulated financial incentives. He begins July 1.

Attached Photo: From left to right: Sen. Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Sen. Toni Boucher (R-Wilton), Sen. Scott Frantz (R-Greenwich), and Sen. McLachlan (R-Danbury).

Sen. Boucher: it’s in the state’s best interest to keep these towers open for the long haul.

Hartford, CT – Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) ranking member of the state Transportation Committee joined a bipartisan group of federal and state officials to discuss steps being taken to secure funding for Connecticut’s small airport towers. The U.S. Department of Transportation on May 10 announced that the air traffic contract control towers set to close because of budget cuts will stay open, but only through September, 2013.

“There are several concerns being raised about what will happen to the towers once the federal fiscal year ends. Included in those concerns; air safety, a decrease in economic activity, and loss of jobs,” said Sen. Boucher.

The legislators, who were joined by aviation officials from across Connecticut, also spoke about their concerns with short-term fixes when it comes to contract air towers. Congress passed a bill last month giving FAA authority to shift $253 million from accounts with unspent funds to keep controllers on the job, at 149 small airports including six from Connecticut. Senator Boucher and other state legislators worry about what will happen in the future.

“We heard testimony from aviation officials that told us state owned general aviation airports contribute more than $195 million in economic impact to the State economy. They also support 1,314 on-airport jobs and 1,728 off-airport jobs. Connecticut has had one of the slowest recoveries from the great recession of any state in the country and with a state unemployment at 8% we can’t afford to lose any more jobs,” added Sen. Boucher.

Kevin Dillion from the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) testified before the Transportation Committee regarding the aviation system’s efficiency and the economic benefits of the state’s six small towers including those at Tweed New Haven Airport, Danbury Municipal Airport, Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Groton-New London Airport, Hartford Brainard Airport and Bridgeport Sikorsky. Dillion said these functions include:

• emergency diversionary airport support
• emergency preparedness and response
• law enforcement national security
• disaster relief functions by government agencies
• issuing safety and weather alerts
• courier services
• aiding flight certification
• assisting medical transplant flights
• direct transportation of people and freight
• commercial applications such as agricultural spraying
• aerial surveying
• oil exploration
• utilities and pipeline control inspection
• aerial firefighting support
• homeland security
• issuing safety and weather alerts
• monitoring nuclear facilities
• noise control

Sen. Boucher believes if we close these towers it will also lead to delayed commercial air carrier flights, increased costs to the airlines serving those airports and to many companies and individuals across the country who rely on efficient and timely air service to conduct their business and to remain profitable.

“Many large corporations want to be near manned control towers. If we lose those manned towers they will decide to move to Westchester, or New York where the airports have a full tower staffs. It’s about risk management,” added Sen. Boucher.

Bipartisan support nationally was made possible by New Hampshire, Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Kansas, Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) who joined with our Connecticut, Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT).

Senator Boucher is a leading advocate for transportation infrastructure improvements and a ranking senate member of The Transportation, Higher Education and Education committees. She also serves as a member of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Boucher represents the 26th district towns of Wilton, Ridgefield, Weston, Bethel, Westport, New Canaan and Redding.

“This year’s tax freedom date is eight days later than it was last year, reflecting a truly alarming jump in our tax burden,” said Sen. Boucher “High taxes – many of them retroactive taxes have helped create an anemic economic climate in Connecticut.”

According to the United States Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis, personal income growth in Connecticut was only 2% from 2011 to 2012, the second lowest in the country. Since the state income tax was passed in 1991, our state has ranked dead last in economic growth.

Around the nation, Tax Freedom Day arrived on April 18. Connecticut residents work three and a half weeks longer to pay taxes than the average person in American does.

Here are some of Connecticut’s taxes at a glance, as reported by the Tax Foundation:

• Connecticut’s personal income tax system consists of six brackets and a top rate of 6.7%. It should be noted that small businesses are taxed through the personal income tax and as such is a new levy on their business as well. That rate ranks 18th highest among states levying an individual income tax. Connecticut’s income tax collections per person were $1617 in 2010, which ranked 4th highest nationally.
• Connecticut’s corporate income tax system consists of a flat rate of 9%. That rate ranks 6th highest among states levying a corporate income tax. Connecticut’s corporate tax collections per person were $142 in 2010, which ranked 12th highest nationally.
• It is important to also note there is a surcharge on corporate profits during this recession that was slated to go away.
• Connecticut levies a 6.35% general sales or use tax on consumers, which is above the national median of 6%. Connecticut’s state and local governments collect $881 per person in general sales taxes and $623 per person in excise taxes, for a combined figure of $1505, which ranks 15th highest nationally.
• Connecticut’s gasoline tax stands at 45¢ (4th highest nationally), and in July there is a scheduled increase to petroleum gross receipts tax for this summer from 7% to 8.1%.
• Connecticut’s state and local governments collected approximately $2522 per person in property taxes, which ranks 3rd highest nationally.

Connecticut has increased its tax revenue by 15% from 2011 to 2012. Less than 1% of that increase was the result of economic growth; the rest came from higher tax rates and one-time revenues.

The Governor’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) reported last month that the economic recovery of the state is “quite slow” and shows only “minor growth.”

“This is not surprising to any of us that also work in the private sector and have businesses that have yet to recover. While other states are flourishing and have recovered jobs lost in the recession Connecticut has not, said Sen. Boucher.

“The state faces a $2 billion deficit over the next two years, despite the enormous tax hike the largest in state history in 2011,” added Sen. Boucher. “The problem is excessive spending.”

Senator Boucher points out because of the combination of high taxes seniors and businesses are leaving. Seniors pay a tax on their pensions, on their estate; on any gift they leave their offspring, a car property tax and a tax on real estate when they sell their house. This combined with a high property tax makes Connecticut unaffordable.

“Most seniors can’t afford to die here and are forced to leave so they can bequeath any assets they’ve worked so hard for to their children,” said Sen. Boucher. “Connecticut loses donations to charitable causes, property tax, car tax and any sales tax on items these seniors would be purchasing.”

A senior population that is leaving is particularly hard on hospitals and charities that have been the beneficiaries of their donations.

The Governor proposed a budget increase in spending over the next two years by nearly 10% an additional $2.9 billion. The majority party also proposed a budget with an even higher increase in spending, suggesting the state budget would include approximately $55 million more in spending than the Governor requested. Included in that is a 15% wage increase for state employees while at the same time a cut to the state portion of teacher healthcare premiums.

In the Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee lawmakers missed an opportunity to try and stem the tide on some of the more egregious taxes the state levies on its citizens. The committee proposed to extend taxes that were set to sunset including: the temporary 20% surcharge on corporations that was to sunset by June 31, 2013, and the tax on insurance premium credits.

Added taxes include: the clothing and shoe tax on items under $50, a digital down load tax and retains the scheduled increase on the petroleum gross receipts tax for this summer from 7% to 8.1%. Most people are unaware that the reason Connecticut has one of the highest gas taxes in the nation is that it is comprised of two components an excise tax and a percentage tax. Together with the scheduled increase on July 1 we will have the highest gas tax in the nation.

“There were even those that continue to lobby for reintroducing tolls on state highways which I have fought vigorously against,” added Sen. Boucher. “It is unjustified given the high taxes the motorists must bear.”

The finance committee also proposes to increase fees on items such as: cremation, marriage licenses.

“The Governor said he was helping the middle class by eliminating the property tax on cars. I’m supportive of cutting taxes, but getting rid of the car tax the way the Governor and now the Finance Committee proposes with no offsetting revenue, sticks our cities and towns with major revenue losses,” said Sen. Boucher.

The committee recommended beginning the car tax change in 2018.

The majority party has chosen to protect the government class not the working class by adding new taxes and hurting the vulnerable. The chairs of these powerful committees will now meet with the Governor and his staff to negotiate a final budget that will have to be voted on by the full general assembly.

“If this tax free indicator doesn’t convince lawmakers that they must stop spending and reduce expenditures and borrowing than nothing else will,” said Sen. Boucher. “This latest in the country tax free day – more than a week longer than last year – is the most powerful evidence available that Connecticut taxes its residents too much.”

L – R ; 1st Selectman Walker, New Canaan ,1st Selectman Weinstein, Weston, 1st Selectman Brennan, Wilton (holding paper), Mayor Moccia, Norwalk, 1st Selectman Tesei, Greenwich, 1st Selectman Stevenson, Darien at Legislative Office Building Press Conference opposing a bill to mandate regionalization.

Hartford, CT – Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) applauds area First Selectman and Mayors who visited the Legislative Office Building in Hartford to fight against HB6629 AN ACT CONCERNING REGIONALISM IN CONNECTICUT. The bill before the House of Representatives would eliminate regional planning agencies and regional councils of elected officials by January 1, 2015. Those agencies and councils would be replaced with eight regional councils of governments; to require the Northeastern Region Council of Governments to develop a pilot program to address the human services needs of the region; to require the Capital Region Council of Governments to develop a pilot program to improve services and cost-efficiency in the region; and to require the Valley Council of Governments to develop a pilot program to transfer administration of the HUD Community Development Block Grant Small Cities Program for the towns of Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton to such council.

Abigail’s winning poster

Abigail Gleissner, of Bethel with Sen. Toni Boucher in the Senate Chamber.

Hartford, CT – State Senator Toni Boucher (R-Wilton) visits with Abigail Gleissner of St Mary School in Bethel today at the Capitol. Gleissner, a 5th grader is the Fairfield County Winner of The Connecticut Tree Protective Association (CTPA) Arbor Day Poster Contest.

Gleissner’s poster depicts a sugar maple tree in her back yard. Senator Boucher and Abigail participated in a ceremony outside on the capitol grounds where participants planted a tree, a Northern Red Oak in celebration of Arbor Day.

While inside the senate chamber Boucher showed Abigail around, including an opportunity to sit in the wishing chair made from wood of the original Charter Oak. Legend has it anyone who sits in the chair receives their wish.

While in the Capitol, Sen. Boucher, Abigail and her family along with Rep. Dan Carter visited the hall of the flags. When asked what she would like to do when she grew up? Abigail said, “Run for President.” Sen. Boucher’s response: “That’s the spirit. We need more good women leaders!”

Eight students from around the state were honored for their winning posters.
To view them visit http://www.ctpa.org/ArborDay2013.html

Hartford, CT – Senator Boucher (R-Wilton) congratulates the schools in her district named to the U.S. News Best High Schools 2013 rankings. Connecticut has 11 gold medal schools, 24 silver medal schools and four bronze medal schools.

“These schools are to be congratulated on achieving a wonderful status – tops in the state,” said Sen. Boucher. “I’m so proud to say that five of the top ten schools are in the 26th district.”

The schools were ranked based on ratio of teacher to students, college readiness, state exit exam scores in math and reading. Weston, Ridgefield, Wilton High Schools along with Joel Barlow High School in Redding and Staples High School in Westport were the schools in the top ten.

• Weston High School was number 3 in the state:
• Weston High School is ranked 3rd within Connecticut. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams.
• The AP® participation rate at Weston High School is 62 percent.
• The student body makeup is 48 percent male and 52 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 7 percent.
• Weston High School is the only high school in the Weston School District.

“This district is renowned for placing top priority on educational quality. Its schools are centers of excellence, with outstanding teachers and involved parents. My work in the legislature has always been to bring all of Connecticut schools up to same level of quality. We cannot sit back on our past achievements but work hard to successfully compete with excellent schools throughout the nation and the world. Our achievement gap must be closed so that all children have the same opportunities to excel and become contributing members of our society,” said Sen. Boucher.

One of the silver medal winners, Sports & Med Science, is in the Hartford School District, which is based in the Connecticut state capital of Hartford. U.S. News reviewed 21,035 U.S. public high schools; 39 Connecticut schools made their rankings. To be eligible for a state ranking, a school must be awarded a national gold or silver medal.

Students in Connecticut are assessed via the Connecticut Academic Performance Test, which gauges their skills in math, science, reading and writing. Particularly ambitious students can earn both high school and college credit through a concurrent enrollment program at the University of Connecticut.

The top ten:

#1 Darien High School,
80 HIGH SCHOOL LN, DARIEN, CT 06820

#2 Conard High School,
110 BEECHWOOD RD, WEST HARTFORD, CT 06107

#3 Weston High School,
115 SCHOOL RD, WESTON, CT 06883

#4 Ridgefield High School,
700 NORTH SALEM RD, RIDGEFIELD, CT 06877

#5 Farmington High School,
10 MONTEITH DR, FARMINGTON, CT 06032

#6 Wilton High School,
395 DANBURY RD, WILTON, CT 06897

#7 Staples High School,
70 NORTH AVE, WESTPORT, CT 06880

#8 William H. Hall High School,
975 NORTH MAIN ST, WEST HARTFORD, CT 06117

#9 Joel Barlow High School,
100 BLACK ROCK TURNPIKE, REDDING, CT 06896

#10 Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy,
857 FORBES ST, EAST HARTFORD, CT 06118

See complete Connecticut High School Rankings visit http://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/connecticut/

(Sen. Boucher is the ranking member of both Education and Higher Education Committees of the General Assembly.)

HARTFORD — Veterans who were dishonorably discharged under the U.S. military’s former “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy against homosexuals would be eligible for state benefits, including local property-tax breaks, under a bill approved Wednesday in the state Senate.

The legislation passed 34-0 and heads to the House.

Eligible veterans would have to prove they were denied federal benefits based solely on their sexual orientation, and would need to get their eligibility for federal benefits reinstated in order to become eligible for the state and local benefits.

The state Department of Veterans Affairs would be required to refer vets to organizations that can assist in having military discharges upgraded.

The new policy would take effect on Oct. 1 and cover military personnel who served between 1993 and 2011, when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was in effect.

“It is extremely disappointing in this day and age that a person who puts their life on the line for their country would be denied benefits based solely on their sexual orientation,” said Sen. Antonietta Boucher, R-Wilton. “I am proud of our state for sending a strong message of support to our service men and women and ending this discriminatory practice.”

The legislation would make vets eligible for tuition waivers in state colleges and state financial aid. It would also make them eligible for admission to the state Veterans Home in Rocky Hill and burial in the veterans’ cemetery in Middletown. It is expected to cost the state about $10,000 printing and distribution of information pamphlets to veterans. Other potential costs include $1,000 property tax exemptions for vets, and other tax exemptions if they were disabled. The state reimburses towns and cities for that lost revenue.

The legislative research has no estimate of the number of veterans who could be eligible.

State Sen. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford, co-chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, said that “‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ forced out “thousands of good, honorable soldiers.”

“We should honor all who serve, and part of that is ensuring access to benefits they have earned,” he said.