State Rep. Andrew Beeler, a U.S. Navy veteran, on Thursday said returning veterans need stronger community support and more economic opportunity, not more redundant government bureaucracy.

Beeler, R-Port Huron, voted “No” on legislation to establish a veteran mental health office and related programs in state government. Beeler said that creating state programs that duplicate federal programs won’t address the veteran mental health crisis.

“Many of my fellow veterans endure post-traumatic stress and other mental health struggles, and they deserve real support to help them fight their personal battles,” Beeler said. “They need a community that wraps its arms around them. They need economic opportunity and jobs that will give them stability and purpose. Government has a duty to repay those who served our country, but launching new government offices and hiring more bureaucrats isn’t the answer. These proposed state programs will be mainly focused on data collection, instead of actually helping veterans, and they’re completely redundant with federal programs that are ultimately ineffective in serving the veteran community. The men and women who put their lives on the line deserve better than another bloated, ineffective bureaucracy.”

House Bills 5276-5280 passed the House and now proceed to the Senate for consideration.