November is one of only two months with two federal holidays — Thanksgiving and Veterans Day. This November, veterans in Michigan have even more reason to celebrate in the wake of important employment-related measures that have been approved. With employment figures in the Great Lakes State lagging behind the rest of the nation, these new laws are likely to be well received in Michigan’s veterans community.
A bill to help veterans find jobs, signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder at the Governor’s Summit on Veterans Talent in Taylor, may very well stand out as the centerpiece among the bevy of beneficial measures for veterans taking hold in November. The measure permits veterans to offer vocational experience gained while serving in the military as a qualifying factor for employment, in lieu of education or additional training.
Examples of the positions veterans would be encouraged to present on their resumes include stints as engineers, firefighters, medical technicians, boiler operators and building, mechanical or maintenance contractors.
Figures released by the Labor Department on November 22 for the month of October pegged Michigan with a 9 percent unemployment rate, which puts the state in third place among all states for unemployment. For veterans, Michigan ranked 37th in the nation for unemployment in 2012.
On November 15, the governor also announced a joint pilot program between the state and private industry to provide cost-free information and technology training and certification for Michigan veterans. The program is funded in part by donations from the Michigan Development Corp.
These employment-stimulating measures follow in the wake of legislation the governor signed into law on November 12 that permits the spouses of disabled veterans to claim the homestead property tax exemption if the veteran should pass away prior to approval of the tax break.
With the Presidents Council of State Universities of Michigan announcing on November 8 that all veterans, regardless of residency, will be allowed to avail themselves of in-state tuition rates at Michigan’s 15 public universities, our military heroes have had some truly welcome news in November.
Legal Help for Veterans, PLLC fights for veterans rights. We fight to make sure you get the benefits you deserve from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more or contact an attorney about your Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Mental Health, Sexual Assault, Hearing Loss and Tinnitus, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability, Medical Malpractice, or Aid and Attendance claim, visit http://www.legalhelpforveterans.com/ or call 800.693.4800
