Sometimes, it can seem like there is little lawmakers agree on. However, working hard to support veterans and active duty service members is one issue we all agree on. During my 10 years in the State Capitol, I am proud to say each year there has been meaningful legislation passed, benefitting both veterans and active military members and their families.
In the proposed $28 billion budget for the 2019 fiscal year, the Senate has appropriated more than $90 million for veterans and veterans related services. It is important to keep in mind, the budget figure does not include any monetary benefits due to veterans or their families through any legislation, which the General Assembly has passed or may pass in the final days of the 2018 legislative session.
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, and it creates the Missouri Military Community Reinvestment Program. If passed, this legislation 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 always, I encourage my constituents to contact me throughout the year with comments, questions or suggestions by calling my office at (573) 751-5713. To find more information about the bills I sponsor, visit www.senate.mo.gov/brown. Thank you for reading this and for your participation in state government.