 Governor Moore Signs Largest Military Tax Cut For Younger Veterans In A Generation In Maryland and Legislation Furthering His Commitment To Strengthening Maryland’s Military and Honoring Our Veterans
Governor Wes Moore presided over the Moore-Miller Administration’s sixth bill signing at the Maryland Air National Guard’s 175th Wing in Middle River, signing the largest military tax cut for younger veterans in a generation and highlighting the administration’s commitment to strengthening the military and honoring veterans in Maryland.
“We need to support our military community because they make our state better—whether they are active duty, reservists, or veterans,” said Gov. Moore. “For Maryland to win this decade, we need to make Maryland the best state in the nation to serve in uniform and the best state in the nation to live after discharge. The bipartisan legislation I signed sets us on that path, and shows our commitment to bettering the lives of our men and women that have sacrificed so much.”
“Serving in our Armed Forces is one of the most courageous and selfless decisions a citizen of this country can make and we have a profound responsibility to them and their families when they return home to civilian life,” said Lt. Gov. Miller. “Through this legislation, the Moore-Miller administration is taking an unprecedented effort to help our veterans build their careers and their lives here in Maryland.”
Governor Moore also administered the Maryland National Guard’s Oath of Enlistment to Zion Rawls. Rawls is a Harford County resident who will serve as an aviation resource manager for the Maryland Air National Guard.
Friday, May 12th was Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Governor Moore presented the bill signing’s first pen to Senator Dawn Gile (MD-District 33), whose husband, Army Sergeant Major D.J. Gile, recently retired after serving in the military for 24 years.
Included among Governor Moore’s champion pieces of legislation signed are:
H.B. 554/S.B. 553, Keep Our Heroes Home Act, increases the military retirement income tax exemption for veterans, spouses, or anyone receiving military pensions in Maryland. The exemption will be increased from $5,000 to $12,500 for individuals under the age of 55 and from $15,000 to $20,000 for individuals over the age of 55.
H.B. 553/S.B. 554: Health Care for Heroes Act of 2023, establishes the Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program within the Maryland Military Department. The program will provide members of the Maryland National Guard who utilize the DoD-provided Tricare Reserve Select health care plan and the Tricare Dental Program up to $60 in reimbursements monthly to cover the costs of premiums. This $60 is enough to cover the full individual costs for health care and dental care.
H.B. 480/S.B. 286: Department of Veterans Affairs - Burial in State Veterans' Cemeteries - Spouses and Dependents, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to bury the eligible spouse or dependent of a veteran in a State veterans' cemetery without charge.
H.B. 316/S.B. 354: Income Tax Checkoff - Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, establishes a certain income tax checkoff for voluntary contributions to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. This legislation also requires the Comptroller to include certain information in each individual income tax return package.
H.B. 1162: Study on the Utilization of the Expedited Licensing Process for Service Members, Veterans, and Military Spouses, requires the Maryland Department of Labor, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to conduct a study on the utilization of the expedited licensing process for service members, veterans, and military spouses for certain occupational and professional licenses in the State. This legislation requires the Maryland Department of Labor, in consultation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by June 30, 2024.
H.B. 726/S.B. 231: Maryland Medical Assistance Program - Autism Waiver - Military Families, requires, unless the child's family requests that the child be removed, that a child on the registry for the Autism waiver remain on the registry if the child's family relocates out of the State for military service. If a child on the registry for the Autism waiver becomes eligible for services while the child's family is out of the State for military service, the child shall be eligible for services through the waiver if the family relocates to the State.
A link to the bill signing page can be found here.
Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor.
Governor Moore Joins Veteran Entrepreneurs During 2023 Military Small Business Appreciation Breakfast
Event Honors Contributions of Maryland’s Veteran Community to State’s Economy
Governor Wes Moore delivered the keynote address to more than 100 former and current military personnel during the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs 2023 Military Small Business Appreciation Breakfast. The event, co-hosted by Prince George’s Community College, honored the significant contributions of Maryland’s veteran community to the state’s economy.
“Thank you to our veterans and current military personnel for continuing to give back to our state. Thank you for refusing to take the easy road,” said Gov. Moore. “When we provide opportunities to our veterans, they run with them, and make our state better. Today’s event is a celebration of that relentless spirit that says: I will serve, no matter what it takes.”
During the program, Gov. Moore was joined by Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Anthony Woods, Governors’ Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs Chief of Staff Pamela Gregory, and Prince George’s Community College President Felicia D. Jones for the presentation of citations in recognition of service to the veteran community and contributions to Maryland’s economy. The four distinguished veteran recipients are:
- Tiffany Davis – Washington Accounting Services
- Dr. James A. Dula – Prince George’s County Veteran Affairs Office
- Stephen Principie – SMI Environmental, Inc.
- Arthur Toole – Grenada Nut Company
Maryland is home to the Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise procurement program, which ensures opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses to participate in the state’s contracting arena. Prince George’s County boasts the largest veteran community in Maryland.
“Prince George's Community College is fortunate to serve our nation's military, veterans, and their families,” said Prince George’s Community College Dean Geoffrey L. Colbert. “Your bravery, sacrifice, and strength do not go unnoticed, and we will forever be indebted to you and your family.”
Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise program certified vendors received $52 million in awards In FY 2022, which represents a 76 percent increase from the previous year.
 Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor.
Maryland Department of Aging Opens New Durable Medical Equipment Collection Site in Montgomery County
The Maryland Department of Aging is pleased to announce the opening of a new durable medical equipment (DME) collection site in Montgomery County, making it easier for residents to drop off wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment that would otherwise go to waste. The Shady Grove Transfer Station and Recycling Center, located at 16101 Frederick Road in Derwood, is the eighth landfill in Maryland to house a DME collection container as part of the Maryland DME Re-Use program run by the Department.
“Many of us have medical equipment in our basements, garages or attics that is no longer used, but is too good to throw away,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich at a recent event announcing the new collection site. “This program helps our county’s efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle, while also helping our neighbors.
”The average wheelchair or walker has a usable life span of more than five years. However, this type of equipment is often only used for a few months before being thrown away, taking up valuable landfill space while leaving many without resources to obtain the medical equipment they desperately need. “One of the greatest aspects of this program is that all the equipment is redistributed free of charge to anyone with any disability or at any income level,” said Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Carmel Roques. “We are excited to add Montgomery County to our program so we can continue to provide DME to those in need, while also helping the environment.” Read More Here
|
|
