Rochester veterans voice concerns at 2025 Veterans Day on the Hill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KTTC) – Hundreds of veterans across Minnesota, including those in Rochester, gathered at the state capitol today to voice their concerns and demand action from state leaders.

The list of concerns includes veteran homelessness, food insecurity, claim sharks, mental health and property tax value exclusions.

Many veteran speakers acknowledged the lack of funding in programs and increased cuts to jobs at the federal level. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (DFL) stated that the state has and continues to pass budgets that are in favor of veterans. The governor also said it’s important that the legislation does not turn veterans’ issues into a political debate.

“This collective work has put historic amounts of money into veterans’ issues,” Walz said. “We are going to become the fifth state and the largest state to eliminate veterans’ homelessness.”

Co-vice Chair of the Veterans and Military Affairs Division Rep. Bjorn Olson (R-St. Paul) believes the state has been underserving the issue of soldier suicide and mental health.

Olson said the state is currently spending about $500,000 in combatting the issue and more needs to be done.

“The Suicide Awareness program has always been we lose 22 a day, that was almost 13. In Minnesota, it is one Minnesotan veteran every three days. That’s a problem, and that must be addressed,” Olson said.

A note from the Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota reminded attendees to hold elected representatives accountable.

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