by Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector
March 21, 2024
TOPEKA — The Kansas House was prepared to adopt legislation that would protect Kansas veterans from being swindled out of a portion of their benefits available under a new federal program that covers disabilities from toxic exposure.
Then a retired three-star general voted against a plan to slash taxes for the state’s wealthiest residents.
Republican leadership in the House spiked House Bill 2761 in February after the chamber failed to override the Democratic governor’s veto of a $1.6 billion tax cut package that featured a flat income-tax rate that would disproportionately benefit the highest wage earners. Rep. Mike Dodson, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general from Manhattan, was among four Republicans who flipped their votes and prevented the flat tax from becoming law.
GOP detractors risked being pulled from choice committee assignments by House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican who wields supreme power in the chamber. But the Veterans and Military Committee, where Dodson serves as vice chairman, wasn’t expected to meet again this year. Legislation that Dodson supported, including HB 2761, suddenly vaporized from the House calendar.
The House on Thursday considered an assortment of other veterans-related legislation that would add the Space Force to the list of recognized military branches and make it easier for veterans to navigate paperwork at the state level.
But there appears to be no interest by GOP leadership in allowing a vote on HB 2761.
House Minority Leader Vic Miller, D-Topeka, said he hoped rumors weren’t true that GOP leaders had spiked the bill in retaliation for the the flat tax vote.
“If true,” Miller said, “it would be a deplorable — and sick — abuse of power.
“I’m not naive. I know many constituencies are unfortunately exploited when they enter this building. But veterans? To use veterans as pawns, and worse yet, over an unpopular tax policy? I will be irate if these rumors are confirmed.”
Carrie Rahfaldt, spokeswoman for House Republican leadership, didn’t respond to an inquiry asking about the fate of the bill and the use of veterans for political purposes.
On Veterans Day last year, Hawkins tweeted a “thank you” to veterans for their service: “We honor you today and every day for your dedication to defending our freedom and answering our nation’s call.”
HB 2761 would honor veterans by addressing a growing concern that nefarious actors known as “claim sharks” are preying on veterans with promises to help them navigate the cumbersome and time-consuming Veterans Administration claims process in exchange for a percentage of their benefits. In contrast, service officers with the VFW provide free assistance.
Congressed passed the PACT Act in 2022, allocating $278.5 billion and providing access to benefits for 23 illnesses related to toxic exposure by military service members.
Former state Rep. Jim Karleskint, appearing on behalf of the VFW during a bill hearing earlier this year, said companies that operate as claim sharks had added hundreds of employees since the PACT Act took effect. As the VFW leader in Tonganoixe, he said, he personally knows two people who were approached by claim sharks.
“Unfortunately, there’s always somebody around the corner that wants to make an easy buck,” Karleskint said. “People are trying to take advantage of veterans by making promises to them that that they can get them certain amount of benefits” without going through VA doctors.
The proposed legislation would prohibit anyone from receiving compensation in exchange for helping veterans with their claims.
Rep. Silas Miller, a Wichita Democrat who served in the U.S. Marine Corps, said he deeply understands “the financial, emotional and psychological consequences of service.”
“HB 2761 would help to protect veterans from disingenuous and predatory financial practices related to their benefits,” he said in a statement for this story. “Helping our veterans pursue life and liberty is a bipartisan priority, and I hope we can put any political grievances aside to come together and pass this important legislation before this year is through.”
Under the PACT Act, 186,098 Kansas veterans were expected to qualify for benefits, and 7,532 had filed a claim within the first year. Veterans can apply for benefits through the VA website.
Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran was an original sponsor of the PACT Act. A spokeswoman for Moran, responding to an inquiry for this story, said he is committed to protecting veterans and their benefits, which includes working with colleagues at the federal level to prevent bad actors from taking advantage of veterans.
Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
