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TribBlog: A Timely Announcement

Gov. Perry made a timely announcement today: He's proposing initiatives to improve mental health programs for veterans.

Gov. Perry made a timely announcement today: He's proposing initiatives to improve mental health programs for veterans.

Yes, Veteran's Day is this week (Wednesday, FYI). But his goal -- to secure an additional $5 million to supplement the $1.2 million already set aside for military mental health -- has heightened significance the week after an army psychiatrist went on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood.

The money would expand mental health services for veterans provided by the Department of State Health Services -- and also cater to their families. It would also establish a chain of veteran-to-veteran support groups statewide.

The governor's office says the initiative was in the works long before the Fort Hood shooting, and isn't a response to it.

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