California veterans
and their families
California is home to the largest population of veterans in the United States, with approximately 1.8 million veterans. Along with the men and women who took the oath, there are millions of family members in our state who continue to support their veteran loved ones.
As Governor of California, I will ensure that the veteran community, which is often overlooked, will be a priority in my administration.
In California we have three
categories of veterans:
Our Veteran Community
My goal is to focus on improving the lives of veterans through my leadership and legislation. We know that the majority of veterans live on a fixed income, and the high cost of living, including housing, is forcing our veterans to relocate to more tax-friendly states. As your governor, I will work to reduce the tax burden placed on our veterans through property tax exemptions or reductions for our veterans age 55 and over and our 100% disabled veterans.
Our Disabled Veterans
Our disabled veterans have unique benefits available to them. We must continue to protect their benefits while also improving upon them. As a successful entrepreneur, I understand the importance of small business ownership. And because of this, I will work with our state legislature on improving the California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise program and making our state more business friendly to ALL businesses.
We know veterans are twice as likely to hire other veterans, which reduces veteran unemployment, keeps our veterans off of welfare and gives them a sense of purpose. Veteran business owners are five times more likely to be successful in their business ownership than civilian business owners. I will continue to promote veteran entrepreneurship.
Every benefit a veteran receives is an earned benefit. We must continue to honor their service to our great nation and ensure they receive the benefits they earned.
Our Aging Veterans
We must continue to ensure our aging veterans receive the proper care and benefits for them to enjoy the rest of their lives. They’re some of our most precious assets, and we must help to provide comfort to them.
Closing down the Veterans Home of California in Barstow before a new veteran home location is built is not how we take care of our aging veterans.
We must also ensure our veteran caregivers have the resources and finances to take care of their veteran loved ones.
Our veteran community is the last line of defense against tyranny, and I commit to you that I will work harder for you than any governor before me, because you’ve earned it.
Our Veteran
Coalition Leader
Ted Fuentes proudly served seven years in the United States Air Force as an air crew member on KC-135Rs with the Strategic Air Command, 93rd Bomb Wing, 693rd Organizational Maintenance Squadron. During his time in the Air Force, Ted received multiple awards and recognitions from squadron and base commanders. He was honorably discharged in 1994.
One of Ted’s passions is veteran advocacy. He was the Orange/Los Angeles County Chapter President for the California Disabled Veteran Business Alliance, a seated member of the California Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Council for the state of California’s DVBE program, and past board member for the Disabled Veteran Business Alliance. In 2012 Ted was selected by his peers as the SBA Veteran Business Champion of the Year.
Ted has been successful in helping write veteran legislation that later became law. He worked with the Orange County Board of Supervisors on developing veteran hiring and entrepreneur policies.
