Williams asks VA to stop punishing local disabled veterans

Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki asking his agency to stop ticketing the vehicles of disabled veterans at the Austin VA clinic. A local news report revealed the VA issued 94 citations through mid-January.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles issues disabled veteran license plates to qualifying veterans, which provides the same parking rights and privileges as a plate with the International Symbol of Access. However, Texas' laws allow more leniency to disabled veterans than federal law. The clinic, which opened up in July, is patrolled by VA police officers rather than the private security company that patrolled the older clinic, and the VA says federal law outweighs state law. Local veterans were not made aware of this change, resulting in confusion and the ticketing of at least 94 vehicles.

Rep. Williams has asked Secretary Shinseki to not place additional burdens beyond what is required by the state of Texas on these veterans. A copy of the letter is attached.

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