Opinion: Governor candidate Whaley has a real plan to help veterans

Too often, our elected officials talk about how much they support veterans, but they don’t actually follow through with action. That’s why I’m so excited by Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley’s plan to keep Ohio’s promise to our veterans.

Ohio has the sixth largest veteran population in the country, but it is obvious to me – as a veteran – that our state is falling short in serving those who served us. We must do much more to support our veterans – and Nan’s plan will do just that.

First, Nan’s plan will give every Ohio veteran the right to age with dignity. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has authorized Ohio to have 2,184 beds in VA-funded veterans homes, but our state only has 750. This means that every year, Ohio chooses to leave money on the table that could help our veterans. At the same time, more than 100 veterans are on waiting lists for these facilities. That should outrage every Ohioan.

Just as outrageous is that Ohio families often have to choose between getting care for their elderly veteran family member or having them close to home, since Ohio’s two veterans homes are at opposite ends of the state – in Sandusky and Georgetown.

Nan’s plan calls for 15 new veterans homes with at least 1,000 new beds. Federal VA money will pay for the majority of building and running these facilities. This will allow veterans to get the care they need while staying close to their families and get Ohio its fair share of VA funding.

But she won’t just help our older veterans – Nan’s plan also will help post-9/11 service members returning to civilian life. She will make sure every veteran has the skills and support they need by creating a user-friendly, online portal for veterans to find services like health care, jobs, training, and benefits. Her plan will also address veteran homelessness, which rose 10% in Ohio last year, by increasing funding for veteran housing and ending landlord discrimination against veterans.

Finally, Nan will work to make sure veterans don’t get caught up in the criminal justice system. Too many veterans end up with a criminal record due to treatable conditions or service-related disabilities like traumatic brain injury, PTSD and substance abuse. Nan will finally give Veterans Treatment Courts the support they need. Similar to drug courts, these specialized dockets help veterans address the underlying issues they face and get the support they need. Her plan will expand these specialized veterans courts as well as addiction and mental health treatment options.

Unfortunately, the folks running our state are focused on supporting their campaign donors and special interests, not everyday Ohioans. While Ohio veterans face homelessness, addiction, or a long waiting list at a veterans home, big corporations line up for bailouts. I think this is unacceptable. And it doesn’t have to be this way – Ohio deserves better.

We need fresh leadership in our state and a real, substantive plan to help our state’s veterans. That’s why I am proud to support Nan Whaley for governor.

Connie Pillich is a military veteran who has long been an active advocate for veterans, particularly those with traumatic brain injury. She served in the Ohio House of Representatives for three terms, where she was ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Opinion: Ohio governor candidate Nan Whaley has a real plan to help veterans