Alcohol, gambling taxes could help Wisconsin veterans fund

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The head of Wisconsin’s Department of Veterans Affairs is suggesting that money from the state’s taxes on alcohol and Native American casino gambling could he used to help shore up a fund supporting veterans.

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary John Scocos makes the recommendation in a report to leaders of the Legislature’s budget committee submitted Friday.
Lawmakers last year injected $5 million into the fund that pays for a variety of programs including assistance for employment, housing, health care, education, and transportation.

The report says the fund will be solvent only until 2014. Scocos, and Board of Veterans Affairs Chairman Alan Richards, support looking at a number of ways to raise money, including creating a new veterans-themed lottery and a new credit card for veterans.