| Each year, Veterans’ day provides
us with a chance to reflect on all that our brave soldiers,
past and present, have done for our country – how they
have served selflessly to ensure the freedom of American citizens.
In talking with veterans in East Haven, North Haven and Wallingford
during Veterans’ Day observances, I was again reminded
of what a tremendous privilege and responsibility it is to
represent these courageous men and women as Ranking Member
of the General Assembly’s Veterans Affairs Committee.
As we ready for the 2008 legislative session, our committee
will build on past successes and work to expand several benefits
and services to ensure that Connecticut’s Veterans,
along with their families, are properly cared for and never
forgotten. One issue that I have
repeatedly fought for is expanding local property tax exemptions,
which have not been changed since 1986. I am pleased that
the committee will once again take up this imperative issue
during the 2008 legislative session. Under current law,
veterans are eligible for a $1,500 exemption only after
serving at least 90 days of wartime service. I believe it
is past time to expand this exemption to all veterans.
In addition, the Veterans’ Affairs
Committee, of which I am a Ranking Member, is considering
several additional reforms for 2008 that I support. Among
these, is a proposal to expand the existing tuition waiver
for veterans attending state colleges and universities.
Presently, members of the Connecticut National Guard are
only eligible to receive a tuition waiver for associate
and bachelor degrees. This session our committee is looking
to include graduate degrees and to waive all student fees
for National Guard members to help them in their pursuit
of higher education.
The proposed agenda also requires all licensed health care
providers in Connecticut to accept TRICARE, the military
health insurance program. There are reports that not all
doctors are accepting TRICARE because of low reimbursement
rates.
Additional proposals include a new micro-loan program to
help veteran-owned businesses, as well as legislation that
works to help businesses owned by disabled veterans qualify
for and be granted more state contracts. Similar programs
for businesses owned by women and minorities already exist
in Connecticut and I believe we should extend this assistance
to our veterans.
Finally, the Committee will work to increase state aid for
the estimated 4,000 homeless veterans in Connecticut. Through
supportive housing and other assistance programs, we must
protect those who have protected us, by making sure every
veteran in our state has a roof over their head and a place
to call home.
I am also encouraged by the launch of a Veterans Advocacy
Unit within the office of state Attorney General Richard
Blumenthal. This unit will enable veterans and active duty
military personnel to speak directly and confidentially
with an attorney for legal advice about benefits, consumer
protection, employment and other issues. Veterans who need
this assistance can call the Attorney General's Office at
(860) 808-5318.
As the 2008 legislative session approaches,
I am confident that our veterans will receive the assistance
they have rightfully earned, and I look forward to working
with my fellow committee members from both sides of the
aisle on each of these important initiatives.
I encourage all of you to lend
your voice to supporting these issues, and to keep our veterans
and brave soldiers in your thoughts and prayers every day,
just like we do on Veteran’s Day.
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