Democratic members of the House of Delegates today proposed a Military Veterans & Personnel Bill of Rights that would provide state income tax breaks to National Guard troops and allow them to participate in the state's government life insurance program.
Del. Brian Moran, chairman of the house Democratic caucus, and Del. Joe Bouchard, D-Virginia Beach, announced the effort in a news conference. Moran said the bill would codify an executive order by Gov. Tim Kaine to make up the difference in pay for state employees activated to military duty for which they earn a smaller salary.
It would also allow National Guard members to sign up for the state's life insurance program for employees, and allow Guard members and military reservists who spen 90 days or more in a combat zone to be exempt from state income taxes.
The fourth part of the bill allows military members and their spouses to freeze access to their credit reports, which can help prevent identity theft when they are deployed.
"This is an area where I believe the federal government is not doing what needs to be done," said Moran, who represents Alexandria.
Bouchard, a freshman delegate and retired Navy captain who served as commanding officer of Norfolk Naval Station, said military members who deploy need all the financial help and identity protection they can get.
"This bill recognizes their service and honors their service while easing the burdens on their families," Bouchard said.
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Virginia 44-93 Code Change
Two years ago I got the GA (HB33 & Bob Tata) to approve an extra eight hours of rest for military reserve and Nationa Guard members but to date, one one locality in the state is following the law. What good is a law if the localities are not going to follow it and give the reservists the time they need and require under federal and state laws? We are at war yet Virginia continues to punish those who fight and serve.
State Employees
For those who don't know, the National Guard is a state AND federal service. It is held accountable at both levels, and serves both. It only makes sense that it get benefits from both. And as far as them being "weekend warriors"....that's just ignorance. Their are units that have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (and numerous other conflicts) more than once in recent years.
How about the regular army?
I'll second that! How about a tax break for those who serve full time, are stationed out of state, and do not even have a bank account here let alone any personal property in Virginia!!! Making these service members pay state income taxes is a travesty.
Typical Democrates...
Ain’t it wonderful that all these Democratic members of the House of Delegates are willing to give all these “weekend warrior’s” this extra money, tax breaks, etc. Where are all of these benefits for those people who do this every day? This sounds like a typical election year benefit (aka: bribe for vote).