2010 State Legislative Priorities

National Guard Association of Kansas 2010 State Legislative Priorities

The men and women who make up the Kansas National Guard come from every county in every legislative district in Kansas.  They are volunteers who fill a role unique to the National Guard; to support and defend not only the constitution and people of the United States, but also the State of Kansas.  Not only have more than 9,400 Kansas National Guardsmen deployed to operating locations all over the world since September 11, 2001, but in just the last four years Kansas Guardsmen have also served over 5,800 man-days of State Active Duty assisting civil authority and the people of Kansas in times of need.  The Kansas National Guard works hand-in-hand with State and local agencies to prepare for and respond to the entire spectrum of potential hazards to the people of Kansas; from natural disasters and pandemic influenza to biological and terrorist threats.

The National Guard Association of Kansas (NGAKS) is made up of over 1300 officers of the Army and Air National Guard.  The mission of NGAKS is to support the Army and Air National Guard and champion policies and programs that positively affect its members and their families.  These policies and programs allow us to attract and retain quality members and keep the Kansas National Guard strong and ready.  The men and women of the Kansas National Guard stand prepared to protect and serve the people of Kansas.  They bring value to our communities through their strength and adherence to the ideals instilled in them.  They also positively impact our communities economically.  The total estimated annual economic impact of the National Guard in Kansas is over $460 million.  During the 2010 legislative session please continue to consider and support the soldiers and airmen that make up the Kansas National Guard as you set policy and make appropriations that affect their service, their families and our communities.

 Please consider the following State legislative priorities of the NGAKS for Fiscal Year 2011:

• Tuition Assistance Program- Support full funding for the Tuition Assistance Program for Kansas National Guard members ($383,842 SGF needed to fully fund the program for FY 2011) More information on page 2
• Ensure state policy protects national guardsmen from losing custody of their children while deployed (overseas or stateside)
• Military Bill of Rights- Continue to support this important agreement with military members (see  http://www.kansas.gov/ksadjutantgeneral/News%20Releases/2005/Military%20Bill%20of%20Rights.htm)
• Kansas Armories and Maintenance Shops- Support full funding (at least $1,122,744) for repair and construction of armories, and field maintenance shops—bringing improvements to communities across the State
• Redeployment Assistance- Support Kansas National Guard members returning from deployment for family reintegration, post traumatic stress, substance abuse or other behavioral health issues for both members and families
• Support the Governor’s FY 2011 Budget to fund the National Guard Museum for $270,000
• Public Safety Training Centers- Support the Adjutant Generals’ Strategic Plan and the Governor’s FY 2011 Budget to build National Guard, Readiness, and Public Safety Training Centers in Kansas. 
• Urge Congress to support the National Guard Association Legislative Objectives for Army and Air, including adequate equipment for deploying guardsmen (see www.ngaks.org for objectives.) 

 As President of the National Guard Association of Kansas, I can offer any further information, discussion or testimony on our legislative priorities.  I also want to thank you for your continued support of the men and women who make up the Kansas Army and Air National Guard. 

 LTC Martin Fries, President, NGAKS

For More Information on these or other NGAKS issues, contact
LTC Craig Beardsley (Ret.) at (785) 410-4093  cabeards@ksu.edu
or Maj Sheli Sweeney (Ret.) at (785) 213-9053 ssweeney@acmhck.org 
Visit the NGAKS web site at www.ngaks.org

 Kansas National Guard Educational (Tuition) Assistance Program is a state-funded Tuition Assistance Program, whereby Army and Air National Guardsmen can receive up to 100% of tuition and fees based on funding, if attending a state supported university, community college, or vocational school. It cannot exceed the amount of the tuition charged by the educational intuition minus any amount received from a government agency, an educational institution, charity, public education trust or other entity. Soldiers will be required to serve in the Kansas National Guard for 4 years after the last payment of State tuition assistance is paid. For enlisted soldiers ONLY.  This is funded in part by 40 percent of profits from the Lottery’s veterans benefit scratch-off game.

 It is important to note that soldiers and airmen who participate in this program are not eligible to participate in either the Federal tuition assistance for Army National Guard soldiers, or the Kansas Military Service Scholarships.  In particular, this program provides assistance to Kansas National Guard members who do not serve 15-month tours of active duty, but rather 30-180 days at a time.  This program benefits those who are deployed in rotations, rather than in one long tour.   It is important to note that the program has not been fully funded since at least 2004. 

The Governor’s FY 2011 budget recommends $881,365 for the National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (a lower level than FY 2010, FY 2009, and FY 2008), leaving a shortfall and making many airmen and/or soldiers unable to continue higher education. Since FY 2008, the program has been funded at 80% or below, which means students must pay 20% of the tuition at institutions of higher learning in Kansas.  To fully fund the National Guard Tuition Assistance Program, a minimum of $1,265,207 is required.  This leaves a $383842 gap in funding for FY 2011.

 History of Tuition Assistance Funding

2009-2010:  Fall 2009 – 383 students at $1,173 per student (78% of tuition assistance pledged)

Spring 2010  – Not Yet Available 

2008-09:  Fall 2008 – 78.5% of tuition pledged for 298 students. 

Spring 2009 – 87.75% of tuition pledged for 272 students 

2007-08:  Fall 2007 – 80.5% of tuition pledged for 299 students

Spring 2008 – 97% of tuition pledged for 223 students 

2006-07:  Fall 2006 – 87% of tuition pledged for 274 students

Spring 2007 – 90.5% of tuition pledged for 281 students 

OTHER TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:  There are several programs for National Guardsmen for tuition assistance.  They take into account the benefits received by service members from each program, and other tuition assistance or grants, to ensure fairness among participants. 

 Federal tuition assistance for Army National Guard soldiers. The Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) ARNG Program provides financial assistance to part-time Guard soldiers in support of their professional and personal self-development. It is not a guaranteed benefit; it is offered on a “first come, first served” basis. The program’s features include:

• 100 percent of tuition and fees, with tuition caps of $250 per semester hour and $167 per quarter hour.
• No more than one credential from the associate, bachelor’s, master’s or first professional degree.
• $4,500 maximum payment per soldier, per fiscal year.

 Kansas Military Service Scholarships. Provides assistance to National Guardsmen and other Kansas veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan or on foreign soil or waters for 90 days (less if inured), or honorably discharged, or served in Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle or Iraqi Freedom. Scholarships are awarded on a priority basis to applicants with greatest financial need. This determination takes into consideration federal military educational assistance received by the student. The State Board of Regents determine number and size of scholarships, but are not allowed to exceed cost of fees and tuition. May be awarded annually for the equivalent of four academic years based on full-time enrollment. The Legislature appropriated $500,000 for these scholarships for FY 2009.

 Dependents of Military Members.  Free tuition and fees are authorized for dependents of those who are prisoners of war or missing in action.  Free tuition and fees are authorized for dependents of those who died as a result of a service-connected disability suffered during the Vietnam conflict as a result of such conflict.