New Reno veterans home among Sandoval’s goals

In keeping with Gov. Brian Sandoval’s “modernization” theme for the upcoming legislative session, Nevada’s chief adviser on military and veterans issues said Thursday the governor’s sights are set on building a new veterans home in the Reno area while pursuing bills to improve access to jobs, education and benefits for veterans across the state.

“We’ve tried to create policy for recommendations to decrease barriers and increase opportunities,” Caleb Cage, the governor’s director of military and veterans policy, said at a veterans legislative summit at Las Vegas City Hall.

“That overall effort is what we’re trying to accomplish in modernization,” he said, adding, “We’re trying to make Nevada the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.”

More than 80 veterans, advocates and veterans organization representatives attended the meeting. Roughly 300,000 military veterans reside in Nevada. A second legislative summit for veterans is scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday at Reno City Hall.

After the meeting, Cage said the governor’s top priority is to capitalize on an opportunity for federal funding that would more than match what Nevada would front to build a home for elderly veterans in Northern Nevada to augment the state’s veterans home in Boulder City.

Kat Miller, director of the Nevada Department of Veterans Services, said the 180-bed facility in Boulder City is at capacity. Improvements there, such as adult day care and assisted living additions, are also being considered.

Lawmakers previously approved $1 million for design of a new veterans home in the Reno area. The federal Department of Veterans Affairs has conditionally approved the project for funding consideration and would reimburse two-thirds of the cost, or about $32 million. Nevada would chip in between $10 million and $14 million, Cage said.

Regarding other bill proposals concerning veterans, Cage said, “Veterans employment has always been extraordinarily important.”

One measure, Assembly Bill 89, calls for policy changes to encourage employment of veterans and their spouses. It would authorize private-sector employers to give veterans hiring preference.

Cage said private-sector employers expressed uncertainty that a veterans preference constituted a fair labor practice. “We said we can change that.”

Another potential change involves licensing requirements for doctors transitioning from the military so they would be able to launch their medical practices more quickly.

Contact Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308. Find him on Twitter: @KeithRogers2.