For Immediate Release: January 4, 2012
Contact: Rebekah Sweeney, (608) 266-3790
Jorgensen Bill to Help Vets Qualify for State Work Advances
Waterloo Vet Who Inspired Legislation Testified Alongside Lawmaker Wednesday
MADISON – State Representative Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson) Wednesday testified before the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs in support of Senate Bill 312, legislation he authored to encourage and assist all Wisconsin veterans in finding jobs with the State of Wisconsin. Currently, the state awards “preference points” only to certain veterans who apply for state civil service positions; those points have the potential to push a veteran’s application to the top of the pile, getting them an interview.
“Those soldiers who’ve put their dreams on hold and lives on the line for the freedom of our country and for the defense of our way of life deserve every advantage we can give them, when they return from their tour of duty,” said Jorgensen. “Wisconsin has long awarded certain veterans extra points for their service, when they apply for a state job. But, under our current hiring system, it seems, some veterans’ service isn’t considered ‘worthy’ of that benefit – a practice I consider an unforgivable insult to those left out.”
Jorgensen drafted SB 312 after hearing from one such excluded veteran, Waterloo resident Richie Stiles-Riddle. Ms. Stiles-Riddle had served in the Naval Reserve for six years and in the Inactive Ready Reserve for an additional two years, spending time in Seoul, South Korea during Operation Desert Shield with the Marine Corps. She was discharged honorably, and so, when she applied for a position with the State Public Defender’s Office, she checked a box, claiming veterans’ preference points. Those points helped her land an interview, and ultimately, resulted in a job offer.
Unfortunately, a day after the offer was made, it was rescinded. Human Resources officials told Ms. Stiles-Riddle that, upon further review, she was ineligible for preference points.
“To you and to me, Richie is a hometown hero. She’s served her country and her state admirably in the Naval Reserves. She is a veteran,” said Jorgensen. “But, under current law in Wisconsin, she’s not ‘enough’ of a veteran to get a boost in our civil service hiring process. That’s a slap in her face – and in the face of every other veteran who’s been denied the same benefit – and I can’t stand by that.”
Jorgensen notes current law only awards points to people who’ve received certain medals for their services, served in a crisis zone, served active duty during wartime, or been discharged due to hardship or service-connected disability.
“When you sign up to serve, you don’t know what that commitment will bring - - war or peace. You don’t know if your service will put your in harm’s way or not. That’s why we should honor all veterans’ service,” said Jorgensen. “There should be no second-class treatment for those veterans who then want to continue their service by putting their skills and training to work for the State of Wisconsin. We should welcome them.”
Jorgensen is now urging the chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs to hold an executive session on SB 312, allowing a vote on the bill. After committee passage, it could be considered by the full Senate and Assembly.