1.20.17
Suggested lead:
A freshman lawmaker in Olympia has a novel idea to help wounded warriors
transition to civilian life. Dan
Frizzell has more.
REEVES: “When we think about our commitment to military families and
veterans, it’s more than just saying that we care.
It’s actually fixing the system in a way that demonstrates to them that
we’re committed to their service and thanking them for it.” [:11]
Kristine Reeves has been a state representative for all of
two weeks, but the Federal Way Democrat has worked on military and veterans’
issues for several years. Although
she’s an Olympia newcomers, Reeves is already generating bipartisan support for
what she calls the Wounded Warrior Shared Leave Act.
REEVES: “When you
come into state service you’re typically on a six-month probation and you can
only use your sick leave as it’s accrued.
We want to make sure that a wounded veteran who has appointments with the
VA or other medical appointments has access to leave so they’re not having to
take unpaid leave in order to receive the care that they deserve.” [:16]
Reeves is putting the finishing touches on the Wounded
Warrior Shared Leave Act and plans to put it into the hopper in the state
Capitol next week. In Olympia, I’m
Dan Frizzell.