VA Secretary James Nicholson assured lawmakers that his agency has done its homework this year—there will be no shortfall as there was with the 2006 budget request. Questioned as to his level of confidence in the 2007 budget projections, Nicholson told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee last week, “We’re very confident.” He explained that the agency had gone “back to the model” it had used for years, but it also had “applied some Kentucky windage to it” because it doesn’t cover all VA activities. (Check here for background on the shortfall.)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.