Supporting Our Service Members and Veterans
We can never truly repay our service members and veterans for all they’ve given to keep our country safe, but we should always make sure we have their backs, whether at home or abroad.
This legislative session, the Missouri General Assembly approved several measures intended to support our armed services. One of the most important of those measures is the state’s operating budget for the 2019 fiscal year, which appropriates tens of millions of dollars for veterans and veterans-related services. This amount is separate from what the federal government already designates for the Veterans Administration and various other programs. Missouri’s governor officially signed the state operating budget into law on June 29.
Another measure passed by the General Assembly, then signed into law, is Senate Bill 573. This bill authorizes a state income tax deduction for some military personnel. In 2016, the General Assembly passed legislation that lets service members deduct any military income from their adjusted gross income. Senate Bill 573 continues that income tax deduction and broadens it to allow Missouri National Guard and Army Reserve members to deduct their earned income during active military service. The bill also establishes a Veterans’ Bill of Rights, which creates the Missouri Military Community Reinvestment Program.
The General Assembly also approved House Bill 1503, which establishes a fund for state-guaranteed small-business loans to veterans. I hope this bill, which was signed into law on June 1, helps many service members successfully transition from active duty back into civilian life.
As always, please feel free to call, email or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.