Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson is calling for increased local spending for veteran programs and services.
According to a chart prepared by Adkisson based on an Austin-American Statesman survey, Bexar County lags far behind other Texas counties in funding its veteran services, despite the county’s strong active military presence.
"You can see we’re next to dead last on percent of veterans in spending per vet," Adkisson said. "And also the percent that is coming out of our general fund here in Bexar County."
Adkisson held a press conference to propose the county’s Veteran Services Commission establish priorities for spending on veterans in Bexar County.
"They help people file claims. They help people find services that are available to themselves, whether it’s counseling or all the things that help you heal from the experience that you may have had, that caused you to feel like you’re left out on your own," Adkisson said. "And also there’s been talk recently here in town about the veterans’ suicide rate."
Adkisson, who is running for the Bexar County judge’s seat in the next election, proposes that the county add veterans outreach programs in all four county precincts, provide a one-stop shop for transitional assistance and support more funding for veteran services.
"If they’re a little lost along the pathway of life, we need to give them a helping hand and see what we can do to connect," Adkisson said.
