Rep. Stripp Introduces Veterans Bill

With the start of the new legislative session, State Representative John E. Stripp, R-135^th District has introduced a bill to eliminate the state law limit on income eligibility for veterans property tax exemptions adopted by a municipality.

At the urging of the Town of Weston Veteran’ s Affairs committee, Rep. John Stripp put forward this bill to enable towns to set their own higher income levels. Currently a municipality may grant an exemption- that is not subject to state reimbursement- to any veteran whose income does exceed a municipally set limit. However, the state prohibits municipalities from setting an income limit more than $25,000 higher that the state income limits for certain property tax programs.

“This bill, if enacted, would add another $30,000 to the current income qualifying limits bringing the allowable maximums to $84,800 for single veterans and $91,500 to married veterans. The actual limits would be up to the individual towns,” said Rep. Stripp.

Rep. Stripp said, “A municipality should have the discretion to set its own income limits on its property tax exemption for veterans. I am a great believer in ‘Home Rule’, if they choose to provide more veterans with a property tax exemption how can anyone deny a municipality that choice.”

“In today’s economy expenses are higher while wages lag behind. Getting a raise at work doesn’t necessarily mean you are taking home more. Energy, healthcare and other material goods eat away at incomes. A town who wishes to raise their income ceiling for the veteran’s exemption is recognizing the fiscal times and the sacrifice these veterans made for us,” concluded Rep. Stripp.  

Rep. Stripp will advocate for the bill to get a public hearing in the General Assembly’s Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs this legislative session.