Governor Glenn Youngkin is enacting some of his policies by executive order, but he’ll have to work with legislators to get other initiatives passed. State Senator Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) has introduced two bills focused on the governor’s goal to make Virginia more veteran friendly.
“The bills, carried by Senator Reeves on behalf of Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin, signal that Governor-elect Youngkin’s administration values military and veteran families across the commonwealth and recognizes that Virginia must compete to retain its recognition as one of the most military and veteran-friendly states,” a Friday Reeves press release said.
SB 528, if passed, would make up to $20,000 of military benefits exempt from Virginia income tax in 2021, $30,000 in 2022, and $40,000 in 2023. Most laws take effect in July following a legislative session, but SB 528 includes an emergency clause that would cause the bill to go into effect as soon as it is passed; however, the emergency clause requires four-fifths approval from the General Assembly.
Cutting veterans’ retirement income tax was one of Youngkin’s campaign promises.
SB 529 would allow active-duty members who are caregivers of dependents to apply for Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy Program. The program originally provided financial assistance for child care for children whose parent is working or participating in work-related education or training programs. In 2021, then-Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) introduced HB 2206 as an emergency bill which temporarily expanded eligibility to include parents seeking jobs that applied before August 2021, which former Governor Ralph Northam later extended to May 31, 2022.
“Our active-duty military families and veteran families wear or have worn the cloth of our country, standing in harm’s way to protect our rights and freedoms as Americans. Those families have borne many heartaches, burdens, and even tragedies to keep us free. It is only right that we honor their sacrifice, relieving a bit of their burdens now while they reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia. And it is an auspicious and worthy goal that we work to see Virginia recognized as the most-friendly state for military and veteran families,” Reeves said in the release.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Bryce Reeves” by Bryce Reeves.
