George Report

Things that make you cry, sigh and be thankful

By state Rep. Camille “Bud” George, D-74 of Clearfield County

          Around Veterans Day it was reported that roughly one in four homeless people in the United States are veterans.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness says that 336,627 veterans were homeless at some point last year.

In 2005, it was reported that while an estimated 500,000 veterans were homeless at some time during 2004, the VA had the resources to tend to only 100,000 of them.

"You can have all of the yellow ribbons on cars that say 'Support Our Troops' that you want, but it's when they take off the uniform and transition back to civilian life that they need support the most," an official for a homeless veterans group told the Christian Science Monitor.

Years ago, a World War II veteran told of his weeks-long return to the states from war-torn Europe aboard a rusty transport ship. He said there was time to decompress while losing back pay in the ubiquitous poker games.

The World War II veteran said policies that enabled a Vietnam veteran to be back on the streets in the U.S. just 36 hours after being under fire in a rice paddy were just asking for trouble.

Our military personnel are the best-trained in the world. It makes sense to invest in programs or policies that help them re-acclimate to civilian life, especially the job market.

If you know of veterans – or their families -- encountering financial trouble, the first step should be contacting the County Veterans Affairs Director.

Pennsylvania veterans have earned a wide variety of benefits, including Veterans Emergency Assistance and the Military Family Relief Assistance Program. More information is available online at www.dmva.state.pa.us.

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          Under the “sigh” department, the long-awaited costing-out study – on how much in state and local funding is needed to ensure that all public school children can meet mandated academic standards  -- was released last month.

          The findings include:

n The statewide cost of meeting state standards in 2005-06 was $21.86 billion, which would require $4.61 billion – or 26.8 percent more – than actually was spent.

n Almost all public school districts – 95 percent – are spending less than their adequacy levels.

n Districts with the lowest wealth make a greater tax effort than districts with more wealth.

n The least-wealthy school districts are furthest from meeting their resource needs.

The report has many ramifications for the Clearfield-Centre counties region. It should at least shut up those making potshots at our smaller, less-wealthy districts whose residents have been stretched to the breaking point trying to pay for public education.

          The full report is available online through the state Education Department Web site, www.pde.state.pa.us.

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          Finally, my wife Edna and I would like to wish everyone the most joyous of Christmases and a bountiful New Year. May your search for the true meaning of the season be fruitful and satisfying.

It’s been said that a million miracles are going on around us at any given time if we’d only take the time to notice them.

Here’s a prayer to find the time and realize our blessings.

                                                --30--