Legislation that would create an instant Pennsylvania lottery ticket to fund veterans programs, sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), today was unanimously approved by the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which she chairs.

House Bill 1691 would help to fund an elderly veteran’s day care program within the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in addition to the Veterans Trust Fund, which supports other veterans’ programs and benefits. The committee also unanimously approved Boback’s legislation (House Bill 1972) that would establish the day care program.  

“We are looking for any way possible to fund programs that assist our veterans and creating a new instant lottery ticket appears to be a workable option. A similar ticket exists in Texas, which has contributed $177 million to veterans’ programs in that state since 2009, including more than $23 million last year,” said Boback. “The community-based program supported by ticket revenue would be a great help to families by providing a place where older veterans can go to receive quality day care services.”

Other bills unanimously approved during the committee meeting include:

• House Bill 2086, sponsored by Rep. Joe Kerwin (R-Dauphin/Schuylkill), which would provide for the authority of Pennsylvania National Guard members to operate vehicles owned or leased by the Commonwealth in response to an emergency.
• House Bill 2097, sponsored by Rep. Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming/Union), which would modify the staffing requirements for basic life support ambulances from the current three to two certified personnel.
• House Bill 2346, sponsored by Rep. Chris Sainato (D-Lawrence), which would modernize the statute governing the state Armory Board.
• House Bill 2361, sponsored by Rep. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Montgomery), which would establish June 12 of each year as “Women Veterans Day” in Pennsylvania.
• House Bill 2412, sponsored by Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware), which would allow the Pennsylvania National Guard to provide functional support for cybersecurity needs across the Commonwealth.

The bills will next be considered by the full House of Representatives.