Klarides Sisters Help Pass Bipartisan Veteran Legislation

HARTFORD- On Thursday, Republicans and Democrats in the House joined forces to pass pro-veteran legislation, House Bill 7100. The bill ensuring transparency for the Connecticut Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Fund (SSMF) was strengthened by an amendment proposed by House Republican Leader Themis Klarides and State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria to add language to expand greater tax relief for disabled veterans.

House Republican Leader Themis Klarides said, “I am proud to see Republicans and Democrats in the House unanimously supporting this legislation to provide greater tax relief for veterans. Disabled veterans live on fixed incomes, and aligning their tax relief exemption with increases in property tax is common sense. Our veterans have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and making sure that they can afford to live in our state and receive the necessary services provided to them should be our top priority.”

“Themis and I have heard from several concerned disabled veterans about the difficulty of living in Connecticut on fixed incomes,” said Rep. Klarides-Ditria. “Our state has created an environment where it is almost impossible for those living on fixed incomes to remain in Connecticut. This legislation will give our veterans the ability to afford to live in the state that they have fought for and want to call home. We will work with our colleagues in the Senate to get this bill passed by both chambers.”

Under the proposal, with their legislative body’s approval municipalities could exempt up to $5,000 or 5% of the property’s assessed value. The bill also establishes application requirements and procedures.

Existing law allows municipalities, with their legislative body’s approval, to provide veterans who are 100% disabled, under certain income thresholds, with three times the amount provided under the state-mandated disabled veterans’ exemption. The bill increases such income eligibility thresholds from $18,000 to $21,000, if single and $21,000 to $24,000, if married.

The proposal also, generally, deems any American Legion records related to the administration of the SSMF as public records and subject to disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). It prohibits the state treasurer, as the SSMF custodian and trustee, from disclosing certain personal information.

The SSMF is a trust fund invested by the state treasurer that uses the interest from its investment to provide temporary benefits, such as food, clothing, medical, surgical, and funeral assistance, to eligible wartime veterans and their dependents or surviving dependents.

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