There are over 400,000 veterans living in Colorado, and according to the Census Bureau more than 41,000 live in Jefferson County. I am committed to not only honoring their service, but helping veterans get access to resources --; and a leg up in entering the civilian workforce. That's why I ran SB16-134 this year, which requires state government to take military training into account when veterans apply for professional licenses.
I am proud to say the bill is on its way to Gov. John Hickenlooper's desk after passing both the Senate and House with unanimous bipartisan support.
What the bill does is require the state to use a little common sense when a veteran applies for a professional license: instead of requiring them to recertify skillsets already acquired during military service, we should allow them to use their existing training for licensing. That means we cut some red tape, save vets time and money, all while helping them access jobs faster.
For instance, certification courses for a commercial driving license can be time-consuming and expensive. When a veteran applies for a commercial driving license, by recognizing their behind-the-wheel experience, they can get certified more quickly. This means saving money on certification and getting on the road more quickly to earn a paycheck.
This may seem like just a small step to support our veterans in the way they deserve. But for that driver and their family, we are breaking down a barrier standing between them and their economic security. We have a lot more work to do, but this bill is a good start.
Jessie Danielson represents Colorado House District 24, which includes Golden, Wheat Ridge and other areas in Jeffco. To contact Danielson or learn more, call her cell at 720-276-3468 or visit www.jessiedanielson.com.
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://wheatridgetranscript.com/stories/Helping-veterans-get-jobs,213434?branding=15
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