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The families of fallen heroes are grappling with the impact of recent changes that will tighten restrictions on education benefits for participants receiving tuition waivers from the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP). Tanya Barrett, whose husband Mark died in the line of duty as a state trooper, now faces uncertainty regarding her son’s educational future. Her son, who was six years old at the time of his father’s death, is currently a student at the University of Virginia, expecting his tuition to be fully covered under the state statute. However, new legislative changes may jeopardize this support.
“When my husband died in 2010, Virginia had a statute ensuring that if you die in the line of duty while serving the state, your education would be taken care of,” Barrett shared with “Fox & Friends First” on Thursday. “My son was six then, and we planned our life around him attending a state-supported school in Virginia. He’s now at the University of Virginia. He’s grandfathered in for one more year, but it could be taken away after that.”
Legislative Changes and Political Response
The recent amendments to the VMSDEP, set to take effect on July 1, were included in the two-year budget passed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and lawmakers. These changes have caused significant concern among affected families of fallen heroes. After receiving feedback from those impacted, Gov. Youngkin requested lawmakers to amend parts of the bill to allow certain families to continue participating in the program. Despite this, the Democratic-controlled state Senate declined to take up the proposed exemptions, leaving many families in a precarious situation.
Expressing his dismay, Gov. Youngkin wrote on X: “I stand with families of fallen heroes, first responders, and their families today who are stunned that Senate Democrat leadership failed to even consider a simple bill, supported by a bipartisan majority of Senators, to reverse the changes to VMSDEP.” This statement highlights the bipartisan support for the bill and the frustration over the Senate’s inaction.
Personal Impact and Future Prospects
Tanya Barrett remains resolute despite the challenges ahead. She pointed out that a specific senator in Virginia, likely referring to Democratic Sen. Louise Lucas, is responsible for stalling the bill. “I think it was discussed in the Senate Monday, and it was held up. On Friday, it should go to the House. It should be a no-brainer. The bill will pass. It still has to go back to the Senate then,” Barrett explained. In the meantime, her son has started applying for scholarships outside of the VMSDEP to secure his educational future.
“I’ve told him that we’ll do what we’ve always done. We’ll do what we’ve done since 2010. We’ll figure it out,” Barrett said, demonstrating her determination to navigate these new obstacles. As the legislative process continues, families like the Barretts are left in a state of uncertainty, hoping for a resolution that honors the sacrifices made by their loved ones.
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