Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs

ANALYSIS OF THE NEW JERSEY BUDGET

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

FISCAL YEAR 2016- 2017

PREPARED BY OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE • APRIL 2016 NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATURE

SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Paul A. Sarlo (D), 36th District (Parts of Bergen and Passaic), Chair Brian P. Stack (D), 33rd District (Part of Hudson), Vice-Chair Peter J. Barnes III (D), 18th District (Part of Middlesex) Jennifer Beck (R), 11th District (Part of Monmouth) Anthony R. Bucco (R), 25th District (Parts of Morris and Somerset) Sandra B. Cunningham (D), 31st District (Part of Hudson) Linda R. Greenstein (D), 14th District (Parts of Mercer and Middlesex) Steven V. Oroho (R), 24th District (All of Sussex, and parts of Morris and Warren) Kevin J. O'Toole (R), 40th District (Parts of Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic) Nellie Pou (D), 35th District (Parts of Bergen and Passaic) M. Teresa Ruiz (D), 29th District (Part of Essex) Samuel D. Thompson (R), 12th District (Parts of Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean) Jeff Van Drew (D), 1st District (All of Cape May, and parts of Atlantic and Cumberland)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE

Gary S. Schaer (D), 36th District (Parts of Bergen and Passaic), Chair John J. Burzichelli (D), 3rd District (All of Salem, parts of Cumberland and Gloucester), Vice-Chair Anthony M. Bucco (R), 25th District (Parts of Morris and Somerset) John DiMaio (R), 23rd District (Parts of Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren) Gordon M. Johnson (D), 37th District (Part of Bergen) John F. McKeon (D), 27th District (Parts of Essex and Morris) Raj Mukherji (D), 33rd District (Part of Hudson) Elizabeth Maher Muoio (D), 15th District (Parts of Hunterdon and Mercer) Declan J. O'Scanlon, Jr. (R), 13th District (Part of Monmouth) Eliana Pintor Marin (D), 29th District (Part of Essex) Maria Rodriguez-Gregg (R), 8th District (Parts of Atlantic, Burlington and Camden) Troy Singleton (D), 7th District (Part of Burlington) Benjie E. Wimberly (D), 35th District (Parts of Bergen and Passaic)

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

Frank W. Haines III, Legislative Budget and Finance Officer Thomas Koenig, Assistant Legislative Budget and Finance Officer

Marvin W. Jiggetts, Director, Central Staff Aggie Szilagyi, Section Chief, State Government Section

This report was prepared by the State Government Section of the Office of Legislative Services under the direction of the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer. The primary author was Kimberly McCord Clemmensen.

Questions or comments may be directed to the OLS State Government Section (Tel. 609-292-9106) or the Legislative Budget and Finance Office (Tel. 609-847-3105).

DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

Budget Pages...... C-6, C-13, C-21, D-275 to D-287

Fiscal Summary ($000) Adjusted Percent Expended Appropriation Recommended Change FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 2016-17 State Budgeted $99,968 $97,264 $96,454 (.8%) Federal Funds $39,996 $106,668 $103,967 (2.5%) Other $1,609 $4,670 $4,654 (.3%) Grand Total $141,573 $208,602 $205,075 (1.7%)

Personnel Summary - Positions By Funding Source Percent Actual Revised Funded Change FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 2016-17 State 1,293 1,257 1,271 1.1% Federal 154 149 167 12.1% Other 0 0 0 — Total Positions 1,447 1,406 1,438 2.3%

FY 2015 (as of December) and revised FY 2016 (as of January) personnel data reflect actual payroll counts. FY 2017 data reflect the number of positions funded.

Link to Website: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/finance.asp

Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Highlights

Overview

The Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, under the direction of the Adjutant General of New Jersey, is responsible for supporting the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard, administering programs and services for the 441,8201 veterans living in New Jersey, and managing and operating three veterans’ memorial homes: Menlo Park Veterans’ Memorial Home, Paramus Veterans’ Memorial Home, and Vineland Veterans’ Memorial Home. The FY 2017 Governor’s Budget recommends $205.1 million, or an overall reduction of $3.5 million (1.7 percent) in total funding for the operation and support of the department. This total consists of $96.5 million in State funds; $104 million in federal funds; and $4.7 million in Other Funds. Compared to FY 2016, this represents a reduction of $810,000, or 0.8 percent, in State funds; a reduction of $2.7 million, or 2.5 percent, in federal funds; and a reduction of $16,000, or 0.3 percent, in other funds.

Military Services

The Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, Military Services, is responsible for the support and coordination of Army and Air National Guard activities in New Jersey. The National Guard responds to emergencies within the State upon the declaration of a State emergency by the Governor. The department’s federal military responsibility is to provide trained and qualified individuals and troop units in the support of the Army and Air Force of the United States. The department estimates that as of June 30, 2016, the Army and Air National Guard will be at 102 percent and 109 percent, respectively, of their authorized strength. It further projects that it will largely maintain those levels in FY 2017, with a slight one percentage point reduction expected in the Army National Guard strength to 108 percent.

• FY 2017 recommended State appropriations of about $8 million are unchanged from FY 2016. Federal funds of about $82 million are projected to continue federal support for the New Jersey National Guard and major ongoing construction projects.

Services to Veterans

The Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs is responsible for the support and coordination of various services to military veterans in New Jersey including Outreach and Assistance, Veterans’ Haven, Burial Services, and the three Veterans’ Memorial Homes. The department operates over 16 veteran service offices throughout the State. These offices assist veterans and their dependents in securing State and federal benefits. Evaluation data indicates that the department will serve an estimated 91,000 veterans in FY 2017; provide 24,000 veterans’ transportation trips; provide 20,000 post-traumatic stress disorder counseling sessions; house 190 homeless veterans; process 9,000 claims; and perform 3,084 burials.

• The FY 2017 Governor’s Budget provides $10 million is State funds, the same as in FY 2016, for veterans’ outreach and assistance, Veterans’ Haven, and burial services. The budget also reflects continued federal funding of $10 million for continued improvements to the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery including the realignment of grave markers and the rehabilitation of graves as well as the planning, design, and construction of additional in-ground burial site sections.

1 This figure is based on the most recent federal Census Bureau data. 2 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Highlights (Cont’d)

Veterans’ Memorial Homes

The department owns and operates three veterans’ memorial homes that provide long-term care, medical care, and nursing services to eligible veterans of all wars living in New Jersey who served on active duty and were honorably discharged. The veterans’ memorial homes are located in Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland. The homes are inspected and licensed annually by the New Jersey Department of Health and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

• The FY 2017 Governor’s Budget recommends funding of $78.4 million to continue operation of veterans’ memorial homes and support an average of 920 resident veterans in the budget year, essentially the same level of funding and service as in FY 2016.

3 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

AGENCY FUNDING BY SOURCE OF FUNDS ($000)

Adj. Expended Approp. Recom. Percent Change FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 2015-17 2016-17

General Fund

Direct State Services $97,566 $94,850 $94,040 ( 3.6%) ( 0.9%)

Grants-In-Aid 2,402 2,414 2,414 0.5% 0.0%

State Aid 0 0 0 0.0% 0.0%

Capital Construction 0 0 0 0.0% 0.0%

Debt Service 0 0 0 0.0% 0.0%

Sub-Total $99,968 $97,264 $96,454 ( 3.5%) ( 0.8%)

Property Tax Relief Fund

Direct State Services $0 $0 $0 0.0% 0.0%

Grants-In-Aid 0 0 0 0.0% 0.0%

State Aid 0 0 0 0.0% 0.0%

Sub-Total $0 $0 $0 0.0% 0.0%

Casino Revenue Fund $0 $0 $0 0.0% 0.0%

Casino Control Fund $0 $0 $0 0.0% 0.0%

State Total $99,968 $97,264 $96,454 ( 3.5%) ( 0.8%)

Federal Funds $39,996 $106,668 $103,967 159.9% ( 2.5%)

Other Funds $1,609 $4,670 $4,654 189.2% ( 0.3%)

Grand Total $141,573 $208,602 $205,075 44.9% ( 1.7%)

PERSONNEL SUMMARY - POSITIONS BY FUNDING SOURCE

Actual Revised Funded Percent Change FY 2015 FY 2016 FY 2017 2015-17 2016-17

State 1,293 1,257 1,271 ( 1.8%) 1.1%

Federal 154 149 167 7.7% 12.1%

All Other 0 0 0 0.0% 0.0%

Total Positions 1,447 1,406 1,438 ( 0.8%) 2.3% FY 2015 (as of December) and revised FY 2016 (as of January) personnel data reflect actual payroll counts. FY 2017 data reflect the number of positions funded.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION DATA

Total Minority Percent 79.6% 61.8% N/A ------

4 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Significant Changes/New Programs ($000)

Adj. Approp. Recomm. Dollar Percent Budget Budget Item FY 2016 FY 2017 Change Change Page

MILITARY SERVICES

Federal Funds

Administration and Support Services $40,026 $675 (S) $38,000 ($2,701) ( 6.6%) D-279

This budget item reflects federal grant funding that meets the department’s capital needs. Currently, the department has been awarded federal assistance grants totaling $40.701 million for various capital projects including: the construction of a Regional Training Institute at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt ($34 million); the construction of photovoltaic projects at the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs headquarters in Lawrenceville and at the New Jersey National Guard Joint Training Center in Sea Girt ($4 million); and the replacement of nurse call stations at the State’s Veterans’ Memorial Homes to comply with provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act regarding electronic record keeping ($2.701 million). This latter grant is 75 percent of total costs. The reduction of $2.701 million, or 6.6 percent, in this appropriation in the FY 2017 budget year anticipates the completion of the nurse call station project in FY 2016.

SERVICES TO VETERANS

Veterans’ Haven $1,970 $1,956 ($ 14) ( .7%) D-282

This account appropriates federal per diem revenues for Veterans’ Transitional Housing. This proposed reduction represents anticipated United States Veterans Affairs (VA) per diem revenues for Veterans’ Haven South and Veterans’ Haven North. Based on federal guidelines and application rules for the receipt of transitional housing funds, the FY 2017 Governor’s Budget anticipates a net reduction of $14,000, or 0.7percent, which is the result of a reduction in VA funding for transitional housing.

5 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Significant Changes/New Programs ($000) (Cont’d)

Adj. Approp. Recomm. Dollar Percent Budget Budget Item FY 2016 FY 2017 Change Change Page

VETERANS’ MEMORIAL HOMES

Direct State Services

Additions, Improvements and Equipment

Menlo Park Veterans’ $114 Memorial Home $300 (S) $114 ($ 300) ( 72.5%) D-284

Services Other Than Personal

Vineland Veterans’ $2,467 Memorial Home $510 (S) $2,467 ($ 510) ( 17.1%) D-286

Each reduction represents a recurring supplemental appropriation from prior year revenues from United States Department of Veterans Affairs per diems, member maintenance contributions, and Medicare Part A receipts accounted for in Schedule I under “Soldiers’ Homes.” Budget language provides that the department may receive 40 percent of the receipts from these sources that are in excess of the amount anticipated in the preceding fiscal year. The remaining 60 percent is deposited into the General Fund. The department uses the supplemental appropriation for veterans’ program needs, mostly medical supplies and equipment, at the three veterans’ homes.

6 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Significant Language Changes

Colgate Clock Revenue

Addition 2016 Handbook: p. - 2017 Budget: p. D-287

Notwithstanding the provisions of any law or regulation to the contrary, lease or licensing payments received by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in connection with the property known as the “Colgate Clock” located on Block 2, Lot C on the Official Tax Map of Jersey City, New Jersey, shall be deposited in the General Fund.

Explanation

The “Colgate Clock” is located on the property of the Jersey City armory. The armory property is owned by the State, and the armory is operated by the department. The department receives approximately $200,000 per year in lease payments from Colgate-Palmolive for the right to have the “Colgate Clock” located on the property. The department uses this funding for armory operations and maintenance. The department also receives revenues from renting its armories and the armory properties, as available, to various public and private groups for recreational and other activities. In 2015, the department received $2.2 million in armory rental receipts, a portion of which is allocated to the Jersey City armory for maintenance.

The “Colgate Clock” was placed on the former site of the Colgate-Palmolive factory in Jersey City in 1924. It was 50 feet in diameter and was, at one time, the largest clock in the world and could be seen from Manhattan. Over time it became an iconic landmark. The current clock is a replacement of the original “Colgate Clock” that was built in 1906 in celebration of Colgate’s centennial anniversary. In 1910, Colgate moved its corporate headquarters to Jersey City and remained in Jersey City until 1985 when the company moved its headquarters to New York City.

The FY 2017 Governor’s Budget proposes to shift the money received by the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs from Colgate-Palmolive from use for operations and maintenance at the Jersey City armory to the General Fund. The Administration explains that there is a “recurring use agreement between DMAVA and Colgate Palmolive to allow Colgate to keep their Clock on site. Since 2004, DMAVA has received $2,648,450 in lease payments. In 2015, the department collected $275,000 from Colgate to lease the parcel. To conform to the regular budgeting process, the receipts from the Colgate lease will be deposited in the General Fund and the department will identify its capital needs through the normal treasury process.” The Administration also conveyed that the department is not considering a sale of the Colgate Clock property, but that there is a three-phase project designed to repair the bulkhead, and to establish a walkway and a park on the site. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection executed the first phase of site development which included the new bulkhead and the walk way. Phase two was executed by Colgate Palmolive which was to replace the clock and to install site improvements on the portion of the property adjacent to the clock. The department is working on the third phase of the project, to develop the rest of the parcel into a park.

EXPLANATION: FY 2016 language not recommended for FY 2017 denoted by strikethrough. Recommended FY 2017 language that did not appear in FY 2016 denoted by underlining.

7 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Discussion Points

Military Services

Mobilizations

1. According to the department, the New Jersey National Guard has mobilized 16,000 troops since September 11, 2001. Many of these soldiers have been deployed multiple times. Specifically, in September 2008, approximately half of the New Jersey National Guard was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was the largest single deployment of the New Jersey National Guard since World War II, comprising 2,875 soldiers of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat team, a Military Police Company, and Water Purification and Chemical Units.

• Question: Please provide an overview of the role the New Jersey National Army Guard and the New Jersey National Air Guard has played in supporting the war efforts since September 11, 2001 and the accomplishments of the units deployed. Please provide a chart showing the operations, the missions, the number deployed, and the number of New Jersey National Guard Army and Airmen still deployed. What percentage of the force is currently available for mobilization?

Recruitment and Retention

2. The New Jersey National Guard has five recruiting regions in New Jersey covering five geographical areas in the State.

• Question: Please describe the recruitment and retention processes and the process for a recruit to become a soldier. For each of the past five years, what portion of annual recruits has come from each of the five recruiting regions? Are these results suggestive of a need to revise recruitment methods?

Regional Training Institute

3. According to the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs responses to the FY 2016 Discussion Points, the department broke ground in FY 2015 on the $34 million Regional Training Institute at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt. The training center is an 86,000 square foot facility that includes student housing, a classroom, and an administration building, and will allow the 254th Training Regiment, a premiere Army National Guard training unit in the Northeast, to expand training for soldiers around the region. Funding for the project was awarded in September of 2013 and is estimated to be completed in January 2016.

• Question: Has the regional training institute project been completed and is it operating? If so, who will be using the facility? Is the facility solely for National Guard use or will the facility also provide other armed forces training and training for police, corrections, and juvenile justice officers? What proportion of the operating and maintenance costs of the regional training institute will be federally funded?

8 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Discussion Points (Cont’d)

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)

4. In an effort to counter any potential federal policies that would reduce military installations in the United States, the FY 2015 and the FY 2016 Appropriations Acts appropriated $200,000 to the department for the Council on Armed Forces and Veterans’ Affairs, an advocacy group comprised of State officials and members of the public who work collectively with the public and private sectors to preserve military installations. This funding is continued in the FY 2017 budget. In addition, Executive Orders 134 and 154 created the New Jersey Military Installation Growth and Development Task Force to study the long term viability of the State’s five military bases and options for insulating them from closure. The five bases Include: the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the 177th Fighter Wing at Atlantic City Airport in Egg Harbor Township, the Coast Guard Station at Cape May, the Picatinney Arsenal in Morris County, and the Earle Naval Weapons Station in Monmouth County. According to the responses to FY 2016 OLS discussion points, at that time the Department of Defense had not announced a BRAC study. However, the task of the Military Installation Growth and Development Task Force was to ensure the preservation and enhancement of New Jersey’s installations to promote statewide jobs, corporate growth, and secure long-term viability of military bases and installations. The State contracted with Cassidy & Associates to conduct a comprehensive study beginning in the Spring of 2015. The study and recommendations are expected to be delivered in the Spring/Summer of 2016.

• Question: Has the Department of Defense announced a BRAC study? If so, have any recommendations been made? Has Cassidy and Associates completed its study of the long term viability of the State’s five military bases and options for insulating them from closure? If so, please provide a copy of the study. What are the study’s major conclusions? How will FY 2017 funding be used? Please provide a detailed spending plan.

Colgate Clock

5. The FY 2017 Governor’s Budget proposes the following language for inclusion in the Appropriations Act, “Notwithstanding the provisions of any law or regulation to the contrary, lease or licensing payments received by the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs (department) in connection with the property known as the “Colgate Clock” (clock) located on Block 2, Lot C on the Official Tax Map of Jersey City, New Jersey, shall be deposited in the General Fund.” According to the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, the clock is located on the property of the Jersey City armory. The armory property is owned by the State but the armory is operated by the department. The department receives annual federal funding for renovations and improvements to the armory. In FY 2017, proposed federal National Guard funding for all of the armories in New Jersey totals $4.5 million. In addition, the department receives approximately $200,000 per year in lease payments from Colgate- Palmolive for the right to have the “Colgate Clock” located on the property. The department uses this funding for armory operations and maintenance. The department also receives revenues from renting the armories and the armory property, as available, to various public and private groups for recreational and other activities. In 2015, the department received $2.2 million in armory rental receipts. The “Colgate Clock” was located on the former site of the Colgate-Palmolive factory in Jersey City in 1924. It was 50 feet in diameter and was, at one time, the largest clock in the world and could be seen from Manhattan. Over time the clock became an iconic landmark. The current clock is a replacement of the original Colgate clock that was built in 1906 in 9 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Discussion Points (Cont’d)

celebration of Colgate’s centennial anniversary. In 1910 Colgate moved its corporate headquarters to Jersey City and remained in Jersey City until 1985 when the company moved its headquarters to New York City. Media reports indicate that the property is sought for park land in Jersey City.

• Question: Why is the Administration proposing to redirect the receipt of the lease payments to the General Fund? How did the clock come to be located on the armory property? How much has the State received in lease payments from Colgate-Palmolive in total and annually since the beginning of the agreement? Why is the State considering the sale of the armory property? Are there any deterrents to selling the property?

6. On September 21 -25, 2015, the Pope, in his visit to the United States, included a visit to Philadelphia. South Jersey hosts important points of egress to Philadelphia, and homeland security concerns were evident.

• Question: Was the New Jersey National Guard involved in providing security for the visit? What was the New Jersey National Guard’s role during the papal visit? What were the associated costs to provide State active duty support during the papal visit?

Veterans Program Support

Vet to Vet Hotline

7. The Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs (department), in conjunction with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), now Rutgers2, established a veteran peer support program telephone helpline, known as the “Vet to Vet Hotline.” The helpline features clinical assessment and assistance to veterans and their family members. In addition, it provides New Jersey veterans and their families with access to a network of mental health professionals specializing in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other veteran issues, including traumatic brain injury 24 hours a day, seven days a week. P.L.2011, c.116 requires the appropriation annually of a sum sufficient for the operation of the program. The law also requires the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs and University Behavioral Healthcare of the University of Medicine and Dentistry to consult on a quarterly basis with the New Jersey Division of Mental Health Services within the Department of Human Services, the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the New Jersey Health Care Network, at least two New Jersey Veteran Centers, and at least two State recognized veterans groups. The helpline is funded out of the Support Services to Returning Veterans in the DMAVA budget. Costs to support the hotline are estimated to be approximately $383,000 in FY 2017 and are budgeted in the Support Services to Returning Veterans line item.

2 Under the New Jersey Medical and Health Sciences Education Restructuring Act, P.L.2012, c.45 (“the Restructuring Act”), all of UMDNJ has been transferred to Rutgers, the State University (“Rutgers”), with the exception of the School of Osteopathic Medicine, which has been transferred to Rowan University (“Rowan”), and University Hospital, as applicable. 10 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Discussion Points (Cont’d)

• Question: Did the restructuring of UMDNJ have any impact on the Vet to Vet Hotline Program? If so, please describe. Please provide a chart illustrating the funding provided to the program from each source of funding, the number of calls fielded, the number of referrals made for each service provided, e.g., confidential counseling, group counseling, peer support case management, etc., for each year since FY 2009. Are there any other sources of funding, federal or private grants providing support for the program?

8. According to news reports, Rutgers University launched a program to facilitate timely medical and behavioral health care and peer support. The initiative comes on the heels of a recent report by the Department of Veterans Affairs inspector general that revealed that about 307,000 veterans [nationally] might have died while their healthcare enrollment was pending. The report states that the “Veterans Total Care Initiative, a six month pilot program supported by a $5 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Health, is the first service of its kind to provide integrated care to veterans.” In FY 2017, funding for Improving Veterans Access to Healthcare in the New Jersey Department of Health is reduced by $6 million, to $2 million.

• Question: Will the reduced funding for the Improving Veterans Access to Healthcare appropriation in the Department of Health impact the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs Vet to Vet program? What is the relationship between the Vet to Vet Hotline and the Veterans Total Care Initiative; the relationship between the department and Rutgers with regard to the Vet to Vet Hotline; and the relationship among the three players: the department, Rutgers, and the New Jersey Department of Health with regard to the Hotline and the Total Care Initiative? How is the Total Care Initiative different from the Hotline, or are they duplicative of one another? Was the Hotline underfunded or is the funding from the Department of Health an effort to expand the program? What is the department’s role in providing helpline services to veterans?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

9. The proposed FY 2017 Governor’s Budget recommends an appropriation of $1.3 million for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Psychological and cognitive injuries including post- traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and major depressive order (MDD) are the predominant post-deployment health care issues for returning soldiers and airmen in the military. Currently, $1.3 million is appropriated annually to fund PTSD counseling services. The chart below illustrates the demand, the cost, and the funded level of the program from FY 2005 through FY 2010.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) FY 2005 through FY 2010 Number of Number of Counseling Counseling Cost per Program Fiscal Number Sessions Sessions counseling Cost per Annual Funded Year of Cases per Year per Month Session Year Appropriation Level 2005 245 6,446 2.19 $100 $ 646,600 $ 300,000 46% 2006 342 9,591 2.33 $100 $ 959,100 $ 800,000 83% 2007 575 12,701 1.80 $100 $1,270,100 $ 800,000 63% 2008 624* 17,380 2.32 $100 $1,738,000 $1,300,000 75% 2009 n.a 24,128 n.a n.a $2,412,800 $1,300,000 54% 2010 n.a 33,774 n.a n.a $3,337,400 $1,300,000 39% 11 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Discussion Points (Cont’d)

* Estimate.

• Questions: Please update the chart for fiscal years 2011 through proposed FY 2017, and please reflect any changes to the data for fiscal years 2005 through 2010. What is the current trend in the demand for these services? Has the program been successful and how is program success measured?

The Veteran’s Benefit Enhancement Program

10. The Veteran’s Benefit Enhancement Program connects low-income veterans who are enrolled in Medicaid with benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As a result, veterans receive veterans’ benefits and states save Medicaid money. In late 2010 and early 2011, the department worked with the Department of Human Services in matching Medicaid beneficiaries with available U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare Resources. The department was furnished with a list of 122 individuals on Medicaid that were known or thought to be veterans. The department did a mailing to all 122 individuals and received 24 responses. Of the 24 responses, only five were verified as veterans. These individuals were provided with information on available VA Healthcare and other benefits and encouraged to seek further information from the VA.

• Question: Has the department continued to work with the Department of Human Services to ensure clients with veterans’ status are aware of the available benefits? How many low-income veterans who are enrolled in Medicaid and live in New Jersey have been connected with benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) each year since FY 2011? Is the Department working with the Veteran Service Offices to connect these veterans with VA benefits? In the department’s estimation, what are the most challenging issues with regard to linking veterans to the benefits to which they are eligible?

Veteran Service Organizations

11. Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) work in partnership with the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs to maximize its resources and accomplish its core mission of operating three veteran memorial homes. VSOs provide assistance to mitigate rising costs and to enhance the services provided to residents at the three memorial homes. Some VSOs are “chartered”, meaning they are federally chartered and/or recognized or approved by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs for purposes of preparation, presentation, and processing of claims under laws administered by the VA. Non-chartered organizations lack VA recognition for purposes of representation of VA claimants. In FY 2010, the department reported that in FY 2008, the state’s veterans received more than $700 million in VA education, pension, and other compensation funds.

• Question: Please provide data showing the total amount New Jersey veterans have received from the U.S. Veterans Administration from FY 2009 through FY 2015. If possible please provide a breakout of the total amount into VA education, live pension, death pension, live compensation, death compensation.

12 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Discussion Points (Cont’d)

Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery

12. According to testimony at the FY 2016 Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Hearing for the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs, the department estimated that more than 61,000 veterans and their spouses have been interred at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery (cemetery) in North Hanover Township, Burlington County, New Jersey. New Jersey was one of 15 states to receive a $10.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration in November 2012 to support an expansion. The expansion was completed in January 2014 and provides 10,700 double crypts and 4,800 niches for cremains. Evaluation data in the FY 2017 Governor’s Budget indicates that total interments have grown by 5 percent compounded annually since FY 2012, averaging approximately 3,000 interments per year. Through the use of federal grants, the rated capacity of the cemetery increased from 171,000 to 215,000 in FY 2016 and is proposed to remain at that level in FY 2017. At a five percent annual growth rate, the cemetery would reach full capacity in 24 years. The recent expansion from a rated capacity of 171,070 to 215,000 burial places included crypts and niches form cremains.

• Question: Please describe the interment options available to a veteran or a veteran’s family for burial at the cemetery. How many of each interment option is currently available. What is the current trend in interment choices and how will that affect the future plans for interment and land development at the cemetery? Has the department applied for any additional cemetery grant funding with the U.S. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration?

13. The State receives a plot or interment allowance from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to mitigate the expenses incurred by the State for the burial of an eligible veteran in a veterans cemetery owned and operated by the State if the burial is performed at no cost to the veteran’s family. Currently the federal plot interment allowance is $700 per burial.

• Question: What is the average cost of a burial? Does the federal plot interment allowance cover the department’s interment costs?

14. In addition, the department testified that construction is currently underway for a Public Information Center on the cemetery grounds. The cost of the project is $3 million and is being funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). Additionally, a grant of $3 million received from the VA is being used to realign grave markers and rehabilitate 20,000 graves.

• Question: What is the status of the construction of the Public Information Center and the maintenance on the grave markers and the graves? What caused the need for the realignment of the grave markers and the rehabilitation of the graves? Is this routine maintenance or is this something that will reoccur due to ecological or geological issues?

15. According to the department, a partnership between DMAVA and the New Jersey Mission of Honor has allowed for the burial of the unclaimed cremains of more than 151 Veterans at the cemetery. Approximately 22 percent of the unclaimed remains were remains of World War I veterans, 62 percent were the unclaimed remains of World War II veterans, 15 13 Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs FY 2016-2017

Discussion Points (Cont’d)

percent were the unclaimed remains of those who served in Korea/Vietnam, and 1 percent were the unclaimed remains of those who served in the Mexican Border War. The partnership reunited more than 200 families with previously unclaimed remains.

• Question: Please discuss the partnership with the New Jersey Mission of Honor. Please describe the mission, vision, and goals of the New Jersey Mission of Honor. How was the partnership between the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs and the New Jersey Mission of Honor formed and how were the cremains found and identified? How were the families of the veterans found? Is the department still in partnership with the New Jersey Mission of Honor?

14 OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

he Office of Legislative Services provides nonpartisan assistance Tto the State Legislature in the areas of legal, fiscal, research, bill drafting, committee staffing and administrative services. It operates under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Services Commission, a biparti- san body consisting of eight members of each House. The Executive Director supervises and directs the Office of Legislative Services.

The Legislative Budget and Finance Officer is the chief fiscal officer for the Legislature. The Legislative Budget and Finance Officer collects and presents fiscal information for the Legislature; serves as Secretary to the Joint Budget Oversight Committee; attends upon the Appropriations Committees during review of the Governor's Budget recommendations; reports on such matters as the committees or Legislature may direct; administers the fiscal note process and has statutory responsibilities for the review of appropriations transfers and other State fiscal transactions.

The Office of Legislative Services Central Staff provides a variety of legal, fiscal, research and administrative services to individual legisla- tors, legislative officers, legislative committees and commissions, and partisan staff. The central staff is organized under the Central Staff Management Unit into ten subject area sections. Each section, under a section chief, includes legal, fiscal, and research staff for the standing reference committees of the Legislature and, upon request, to special commissions created by the Legislature. The central staff assists the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer in providing services to the Appropriations Committees during the budget review process.

Individuals wishing information and committee schedules on the FY 2017 budget are encouraged to contact:

Legislative Budget and Finance Office State House Annex Room 140 PO Box 068 Trenton, NJ 08625 (609) 847-3105 • Fax (609) 777-2442