Governor Snyder to approve money for new veterans agency

Lansing, Mich. - Governor Rick Snyder is poised to approve $3 million in funding for a new state agency with a mission of helping veterans collect what they are owed.

Michigan has the nation's 11th-highest population of veterans. But the state ranks last in federal money spent per person on services provided through the U.S. Veterans Administration such as medical treatment, pensions and employment assistance.

Legislation to be signed Wednesday funds the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, which Snyder created with an executive order in January. The agency launched March 20, the 10th anniversary of the Iraq war.

Snyder has named Jeff Barnes, his deputy director of strategy, to head the agency. Barnes served nearly 10 years in the Army including tours in Korea, the Balkans and Iraq.