Michigan veterans discount card in works

Michigan veterans discount card in works
State seeks to boost access to services as well as offer savings
By Alanna Durkin
Associated Press
February 7, 2013

Lansing — Michigan's secretary of state announced her support Wednesday for establishing special identification cards that would give the state's 670,000 military veterans discounts on stores and hotels and other benefits, part of the administration's larger effort to make the veterans more aware of resources available to them.

Ruth Johnson said placing the specialized designation on driver's licenses and identification cards would make it easier on veterans, who currently must carry discharge papers to prove their service.

It will help the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and county veteran service officers better identify veterans and reach out to them about available services, she said. Aaron Jenkins, public information officer for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said it would provide the department with more complete and up-to-date contact information for veterans.

The veteran's identification plan was recently introduced in a bill by lawmakers and Johnson said her office will work with them to see that it is written into law.

While Michigan has the nation's 11th highest population of veterans, the state ranks dead last in federal money spent per person on services provided through the U.S. Veterans Administration, including medical treatment and employment assistance.
read more here