Carbajal Serves as a Voice for Veterans in New Television Spot
Today, Supervisor Salud Carbajal’s campaign for the 24th Congressional District released its first television ad since the primary election, highlighting his commitment to Central Coast veterans. As a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, Carbajal understands the challenges veterans face and will serve as a voice for veterans in Washington.
In April, Carbajal outlined his policy priorities in Congress to address the needs of our nation’s veterans, including modernizing the Department Veterans Affairs, expanding veterans’ educational opportunities and investing in mental health programs for returning veterans.
“I joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to protect the country that has given me the opportunities to build a better life for myself and for my family,” said Supervisor Carbajal. “In Congress, I will work hard to honor the many sacrifices our men and women serving in our military and their families have made. Whether it’s providing adequate medical care or expanding job opportunities – I will fight to ensure that our Central Coast veterans are receiving the services they deserve.”
There are currently over 40,000 veterans living in the 24th District with almost 4,000 more serving on active military duty.
Below are the veterans’ policy priorities Carbajal released earlier this year:
Modernizing the VA
Eliminate the VA Backlog – Veterans and their families are waiting too long to get the services they need and benefits they earned from serving our country. In Congress, Carbajal will fight for the resources the VA needs to eliminate the VA claims backlog and unreasonable health care wait lists once and for all.
Invest in Mental Health Care – Many veterans return from combat with post-traumatic stress or other mental health conditions as a result of trauma during their service. Congress must provide the VA the funds it needs to expand their programs to ensure that those veterans suffering from mental illness can get the care they need. Deployed veterans have a 41% higher suicide risk compared to the general population. Counseling services must be available when our veterans need them.
Expanding Opportunities at Home
Increase Access to and Support for Education – Central Coast veterans often face a difficult transition when returning from their service. Carbajal will fight for quality educational and workforce training opportunities to make their career transition easier. He supports incentives for higher education institutions, including graduate schools, to accept more veterans in their programs and will fight to make sure that these programs remain affordable for those who have served.
Hiring More Veterans – Congress must expand the tax incentives already in place to focus on the most vulnerable class of veterans, disabled, female and minority veterans. Congress must make the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for veterans permanent so that businesses continue to have a strong incentive to hire veterans. It should also be easier for veterans market the skills they learned in the military to the private sector through appropriate licensure or academic credit without unnecessary delay.
Support Veteran-owned Businesses – Carbajal will fight to maintain and expand small business development incentives for veterans in order for them to have a greater opportunity to start their own companies with low-interest loans. Carbajal also believes that veterans should have access to government resources and counseling on entrepreneurship best practices.
Protecting Those Who Protected Us
Crack Down on Predatory Lenders – If elected, Carbajal will support the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to protect service members from predatory lenders and bad actors in the for-profit college industry.
End Veteran Homelessness – Carbajal will support funding for Central Coast community-based programs targeted at aiding homeless veterans. This will mean expanding services to house these veterans in addition to funding crucial programs to reintegrate veterans into the workforce with resources like job training and housing assistance.
Salud Carbajal has served on the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors since 2004, and is now running for Congress in the 24th Congressional District.
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