A bill to give property tax relief to disabled veterans unanimously passed a state Senate committee on Tuesday.
Introduced by state Sens. Elder Vogel Jr., R-47, New Sewickley Township, and Camera Bartolotta, R-46, Carroll Township, Washington County, Senate Bill 92 would expand coverage of the Property Tax Exemption Program to veterans considered at least 50 percent disabled.
“As our men and women continue to put their lives on the line for our freedom, this measure is another way in which we can say, ‘thank you,’ for their sacrifice,” Vogel said in a joint statement.
“The men and women in the military put themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedom and our way of life every day,” Bartolotta said. “Veterans who suffer a lifelong disability and financial difficulties as a result of their service deserve to be included in the property tax exemption program.”
According to the joint statement, an honorably discharged disabled veteran must be 100 percent disabled and have a financial need to receive a 100 percent property tax exemption.
Under the senators’ bill, the state constitution would be amended to allow veterans considered at least 50 percent disabled to be eligible for a 50 percent exemption while veterans 75 percent disabled could seek a 75 percent exemption.
The financial need requirement would still apply to all veterans regardless of their disability level.
Vogel and Bartolotta introduced their bill on Jan. 24. Among the co-sponsors is state Sen. Pam Iovino, D-37, Mount Lebanon, a Navy veteran.
The bill now goes to the Senate floor for consideration.
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© 2019 the Beaver County Times (Beaver, Pa.)
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