Honoring and Serving Our Veterans and Their Families
Honoring and Serving Our Veterans and Their Families
Washington State is home to more than 500,000 veterans, each having served our nation. They deserve our unwavering support, not just during their service but throughout their lives.
Bob Ferguson comes from a family with strong military traditions. Bob's late father, Navy veteran Murray Ferguson, along with both of his grandfathers and many of his uncles, served in the military, with several fighting in World War II. This rich legacy of service shapes Bob's dedication to advocating for veterans.
Bob has been a champion for Washington veterans his entire career. He led the fight to pass a Veterans and Human Services levy, fought for veterans’ protections in court, took down scam artists and pension poachers who targeted veterans, worked with both parties to pass bipartisan laws expanding veterans’ protections, expanded eligibility for benefits, and created a team that connects Washington veterans to pro bono legal assistance.
Bob is recognized as a national leader in the fight for veterans, co-chairing the National Association of Attorneys’ General’s bipartisan Veterans Committee.
Before Bob became Attorney General, the Washington Attorney General’s Office did not even ask consumers filing complaints about their military status, despite the additional protections that status affords individuals. Now the Washington Attorney General’s Office is the most active in the country protecting military service members and veterans.
As Governor, he’ll continue to fight for Washington’s veterans and military personnel who served and sacrificed for our freedom and security.
Bob’s Record STANDING UP FOR VETERANS
Bob proposed and passed bipartisan legislation to create a State Service Members Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to mirror the federal act, and also to allow him to enforce both. The SCRA provides critical consumer protections for military called to active duty so they can focus on serving their country. Bob has been aggressive in enforcing this law.
Bob proposed and passed a bipartisan law creating the Office of Military and Veterans Legal Assistance in the Attorney General’s Office to service the unmet legal needs of veterans, service members and their families through pro bono representation.
Bob’s Call to Duty Program provides pro bono legal services to Washington service members, veterans, and their families. Bob has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in free legal services to Washington’s veteran community.
Bob passed bipartisan legislation increasing consumer protections for military service members. The bill allows military personnel called to active duty to opt out of gym memberships, cable subscriptions, and cell phone plans without penalty.
Bob proposed and passed a law creating an enhanced penalty for consumer protections violations that target veterans or service members.
Bob passed the Pension Poacher Prevention Act to combat a scam targeting retired veterans. The law addresses the growing problem of “pension poachers” who try to scam elderly veterans. Ferguson enforced the law in 2015.
Bob launched an initiative to eliminate the widespread practice in the towing industry of illegally selling service members vehicles which were towed while they were on active duty. Ferguson sent a letter to every licensed tow truck operator in the state emphasizing their legal obligations to service members and providing resources to ensure their companies comply. The letter went to more than 400 tow truck operators.
Bob aggressively targets veterans charity scams. These lawsuits have shut down multiple scams and resulted in Washingtonians’ money going to legitimate charities. In one example, Bob had to wrest control of a charity away from an Executive Director committing fraud, and claw back wages for workers. Army Veteran Scott Shulz told King 5 he “would be homeless” if Bob Ferguson had not stepped and seized control of VIEW, a charity aimed at helping veterans, after discovering the Executive Director was committing fraud. Bob recovered $1 million in stolen funds and ensured that veterans harmed were repaid.
Bob led a multistate investigation that resulted in Harris Jewelry paying $34 million that went to veterans, including more than $1 million for veterans in Washington. Harris targeted service members with deceptive advertising and phony discounts.
Bob published and regularly updates a resource guide for Washington veterans and military personnel so that they can enforce their rights and access the benefits they earned.
Bob partnered with a Republican prime sponsor and passed a law expanding pre-existing veterans benefits to those who were discharged from service without an official honorable or dishonorable designation, or were discharged due to their sexual orientation under policies like Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
Bob Ferguson’s comprehensive Veterans Plan addresses the unique challenges faced by veterans and their families in Washington. Bob’s plan includes actionable strategies to enhance educational and employment opportunities, improve healthcare access, and ensure affordable housing solutions.
Bob Ferguson’s Plan to Honor and Serve Washington’s Veterans and Military Personnel
As Governor, Bob will:
1. Enhance Veterans’ Educational Opportunities
Tuition Assistance and Scholarships. Bob will push for enhanced educational assistance programs for veterans and their families, including increased funding for the Washington State Tuition Waiver and the creation of additional scholarship funds specifically for veterans pursuing higher education or vocational training.
Recognition of Military Training. Bob will initiate a process to better recognize military training and experience in academic credit systems. This will make it easier for veterans to translate their skills into civilian qualifications, reducing barriers to higher education.
Collaboration with Community Colleges. Bob’s plan includes fostering stronger partnerships with community colleges and universities to create tailored programs for veterans. This includes mentorship opportunities, transitional support services, and workshops that help veterans adjust to academic life. Bob’s administration will expand tuition assistance for veterans who wish to pursue Licensed Practical Nursing and other high-demand positions.
Vet Corps services to support veterans and family members. Bob will restore Vet Corps program navigators in our colleges, universities and agricultural programs. This will assist veterans and family members to navigate the transition from the military to civilian life and have a place to call home within the campus to increase access to services, retention and graduation.
2. Promote Employment and Economic Empowerment
Veteran Employment Program. Bob will establish a comprehensive employment program aimed specifically at veterans, focusing on job placement, resume building, and skills training. He will collaborate with local businesses and direct state agencies to create or improve veteran-friendly workplaces and apprenticeship programs.
Expand affordable childcare. Many veterans and servicemembers who live are struggling because of the unavailability and/or affordability of child care. High-quality and accessible child care and long-term care services drive Washington’s economy by providing a foundation for Washingtonians to work and providing jobs for many Washingtonians. Bob is committed to a strong care infrastructure in Washington where workers have access to quality, accessible care for their loved ones so they can work. Bob will work with public, private, philanthropic and labor partners to address this need with an emphasis on co-located services, greater subsidy for low-and middle-income families, improved workforce development for childcare workers, and other programs that can make a real difference for Washington families.
Washington Dept. of Veterans Affairs Claims Assistance. Bob will support Washington Department of Veterans Affairs service officers in securing more federal dollars and benefits for Washington State veterans who have earned essential benefits like disability and pensions. He is committed to ensuring that our state maintains and enhances a robust office of claims assistance to help veterans navigate the complex federal application process for the benefits they deserve.
Support for Veteran-Owned Businesses. To promote entrepreneurship, Bob will establish grant programs and low-interest loan options for veteran-owned businesses. He will also develop mentorship programs that connect veterans with experienced entrepreneurs to facilitate knowledge transfer and networking opportunities.
Job Fair Initiatives. The state will host regular job fairs specifically targeting veterans, bringing together employers who actively seek to hire veterans, with a special focus on Eastern Washington. These fairs will also provide workshops on interview techniques, resume building, and job search strategies, helping veterans navigate the employment landscape.
Supporting Women Veterans. Bob recognizes the growth in the state’s women veterans population and will support the creation of a staffed Women Veterans Program to reside in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
3. Improve Healthcare Access
Expand VA Services. Bob will work with the federal delegation to strengthen partnerships between state agencies and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to improve access to services. This includes streamlining processes for veterans seeking care and ensuring that there are more VA facilities available across the state. Bob will also look at existing state facilities that are underutilized and work with the federal government to establish services.
Telehealth Improvements. Recognizing that many veterans live in rural areas, Bob will promote telehealth services to decrease barriers to accessing care. Funding will be allocated to enhance telecommunications infrastructure in underserved communities, enabling veterans to receive the healthcare services they need. Bob will work through his Departments of Veterans Affairs and Commerce to get rural and low-income veterans better access to the internet. This will include helping them get tablets and establishing satellite hubs with navigators to help aging veterans get better connected to the internet.
Support Rural Veterans’ Access to Services. Bob’s Department of Veterans Affairs will work to get veterans access to service, including veterans in rural communities. Bob will maintain county veterans service officers in rural counties and have a presence at community events in all 39 counties.
Integrated Health Approach. Bob’s plan includes a commitment to expand holistic health services within the community, integrating physical, mental, and emotional health support. Bob will encourage the inclusion of alternative therapies and approaches, such as acupuncture and peer support programs, to help veterans manage their health more effectively.
Mental Health Services Expansion. Bob’s plan emphasizes the urgent need to expand mental health services for veterans. This includes increasing funding for community-based mental health programs and training more mental health professionals to understand the unique experiences and needs of veterans. Bob will maintain and improve the Department of Veterans’ Affairs statewide first-in-the-nation suicide prevention program.
4. Implement Affordable Housing Solutions
Increase access to affordable housing. Bob will work to create more affordable housing options specifically designed for veterans, including transitional housing for those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This includes leveraging state and federal resources to develop housing projects that meet the needs of veteran populations.
Homeownership Assistance Programs. Bob’s plan will include provisions for homeownership assistance for veterans, including down payment assistance and favorable loan terms. Bob will partner with financial institutions to educate veterans about housing options available to them.
Support for Veterans Without Homes. Bob will enhance outreach and support services for unhoused veterans, partnering with local organizations to ensure that every veteran has access to stable housing and supportive services.
Replacement and Construction of New Facilities. Bob will expedite the replacement of the Veterans Homes at Spokane and Orting facilities and construction of a State Veterans Cemetery in the Tri-Cities area.