Assemblyman Devon Mathis
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During my second combat tour In Iraq I was severely injured by a roadside bomb. During my months of recovery I saw exactly how hard it was to understand and work through the government programs established to help veterans return to a civilian life. That’s one of the main reasons I decided to run for Assembly – to help returning veterans as quickly, effectively, and seamlessly as possible.
As one of the few combat veterans elected to the Assembly I’m working hard to be your voice here. That’s why I need your help. I need as many veteran voices as possible when I try to pass a new law or cut through the government clutter. Please take a minute and give me your email so I can contact you when important laws or regulations involving veterans come up.
Some of the things I’m working on right now:
Making sure our veterans have housing – No veteran should be homeless. I’m dedicated to make sure every veteran receives the housing they deserve. In 2018 I supported a law which would require the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) to submit to the Legislature, and post to its website, a financial report of the California veteran’s homes. This requires CalVet to review the use of a veteran’s home five years before the expiration of its federal use restriction to determine the best continued use of the home.
Keeping veteran employed –As a Purple Heart Veteran, I understands the struggle of veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. That’s why I co-authored a law which provides that honorably discharged or honorably relieved military veterans are exempted from paying local business license fees for selling or providing services, if the veteran is the sole proprietor of the business. Last year I also supported a law which protects members of the federal reserve components from employment consequences due to military service, training, or enlistment.
Preventing veteran suicide - As a country and state we need to take immediate action to stop the tragedy of veteran suicide. Last year I supported a law which specifies that a veteran who may be eligible for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health services shall not be denied county mental or behavioral health services while waiting for a determination of eligibility for, and availability of, VA services.
Providing veterans with education opportunities – One thing that veterans need when we return is education opportunities. I took advantage of veterans education programs to earn my degree after my years of service. I have always supported funding for Veteran Resource Center and other veteran programs that help veterans get the schooling they need to find a good paying job.
