Madison — A bill that expands hiring preferences for disabled veterans and another that gives greater latitude for philanthropy by credit unions, both authored by State Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point), passed the State Senate today by wide bipartisan margins.
Senate Bill 339, which Senator Lassa introduced along with Senator Pam Galloway (R-Wausau), expands state agency hiring preferences for disabled veterans to all positions in the classified service of the state civil service system. Currently, agencies can only make non-competitive appointments for non-professional or entry-level positions. The disabled veteran who is considered for a non-competitive appointment must still be qualified to perform the job.
“Our disabled veterans come back from the service with all kinds of valuable skills, including advanced managerial and professional experience. If they qualify for professional positions or those above entry level, they should get the same hiring preference we currently give for lower-level positions,” Lassa said.
“Unemployment among newly-returned veterans is at 13.1 %, and even higher for vets under age 24,” Lassa said. “For disabled vets, unemployment is around 50 percent. We need to do better for those who volunteer to go into harm’s way to serve our country, and this bill is a step in that direction.”
Senate Bill 356, introduced by Senator Lassa along with Senator Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) increases the limitation on the amount of charitable donations and grants a credit union may make to community groups
“Credit unions have a long tradition of service to both their members and their communities,” Lassa said. “Our state credit unions want the ability to do more to address community needs through contributions to charitable causes, and this bill will give them that ability.”
Both bills now go on to the State Assembly.
