Our veterans are the backbone of our country. We rely on them for our protection, as they serve selflessly fighting for our freedom. Missouri is home to two military bases, Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood, which is located near the 33rd Senatorial District. I have the utmost respect for our military, and I am proud to be a veteran. I am also proud of the work done by my colleagues to pass pro-military and pro-veteran legislation this year.
Senate Bill 567, which I sponsored, modifies the Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit for certain Missouri homeowners and renters over the age of 65. This legislation also provides extra support for veterans, especially those who are 100 percent dabbled and are interested in applying for the Senior Citizens Property Tax Credit.
The Missouri Senate recently approved Senate Bill 573. Through this legislation, Missouri aims to become a more military-friendly state. This legislation authorizes a state income tax deduction for certain military personnel. In 2016, The Missouri General Assembly approved legislation allowing military income to be deducted from the service member’s adjusted gross income. Senate Bill 573 continues that income tax deduction, and it allows members of the Missouri National Guard and Army Reserve to also deduct their earned income during active military service. The deduction will be phased in over time, until 2030, when it will be 100 percent deductible. In addition, the legislation contains numerous other issues intended to benefit military members living in Missouri. The bill contains language allowing businesses to grant preference to veterans and their families when it comes to hiring and promoting employees. It also expands the Show-Me Heroes program by extending the time frame in which a family may receive benefits through the program from one year following discharge from deployment to five years.
In addition, the bill establishes a Veterans’ Bill of Rights, which creates the Missouri Military Community Reinvestment Program. Investing in resources for veterans is a priority of mine. If passed, this bill would enhance the network of resources available to military members, veterans and their families across the state.
Other pro-veteran and pro-military legislation includes, House Bill 1257, which would allow private businesses to give hiring preference to veterans and their families and House Bill 2339, which establishes the Missouri Military Community Reinvestment Grant Program Act.
Senate Bill 864, allows any private employer to grant preference in hiring and promotion to any veteran or spouse of a disabled veteran who has a service-connected disability. This legislation also applies to a surviving spouse of a deceased veteran. The bill is on the Senate calendar for perfection and could be discussed and debated at any time.
House Bill 1368 modifies the Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act, while House Bill 1503 works to establish a fund for providing state guaranteed small business loans to veterans. I applaud my fellow lawmakers in both chambers for their efforts to ensure that our veterans know they are appreciated and that they are being recognized for their sacrifices to our country.
As the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate work through the final details on the state’s 2019 operating budget, I am proud to report that the Missouri Senate appropriated more than $90 million for our state’s veterans and veterans’ related services. This amount is seperate from what the federal government appropriates and spends through federal programs and the Veterans Administration. It is important to remember, that amount does not include any monetary benefits due to veterans and their families through any legislation, which the General Assembly has passed or may pass in the final days of the 2018 legislative session.
As always, I appreciate it when groups from around Missouri and from our community back home come to visit me at the Capitol. If you would like to arrange a time to come and visit me in Jefferson City, or if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact my Capitol office at (573) 751-1882