The latest opinion, news, and happenings from the Norwalk Democrats.
Senator Duff, Representative Perone Propose Bill To Give Cold War Veterans Property Tax Exemption
State Sen. Bob Duff & State Rep. Chris Perone
January 30, 2008
Norwalk lawmakers Senator Bob Duff (D) and Representative Chris Perone (D) announced today that they would be introducing a bill during the upcoming legislative session to provide state municipalities the option of exempting veterans of the Cold War from property taxes. Presently municipalities have the option of giving veterans of foreign wars a property tax exemption under section 12-81F of the general statutes. The exemption can be up to $10,000 or 10 percent of a property assessed value for eligible veterans. Under the proposed bill, the statute would be amended to include any men or women who served during the period of time known as the "Cold War."
"During the Cold War our brave men and women served in a perpetual state of readiness," Rep. Perone said. "At any moment they knew that they might have to engage in a conflict that would permanently alter the history of the human race. With all that pressure these veterans performed their daily duties with great honor and efficiency."
"Cold War veterans made the choice to serve their country at a very uncertain time in our country's history," said Sen. Duff. "That's a choice that deserves the utmost respect and consideration. They deserve our thanks and our assistance whenever possible."
According to the proposed legislation a "Cold War veteran" is any person who served in full-time active duty, other than training, in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard for a period of time more than one year during the era of September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991.
While the legislation does not specifically call for a state mandate on all municipalities, the possibility of reimbursement from the state government is presently being considered.
Norwalk resident Leo Motyka has been a passionate advocate of the proposed bill, having served as a broadcast/information specialist in the US Army during the Korean War and mid-late 1950s. Now a member of the National Legislative Committee of the American Legion, Motyka voiced his support for the legislation.
"I don't think its right that our veterans were facing down hundreds of Russian units in Germany and serving in the Demilitarized Zone in Korea, yet they are not entitled to the same benefits as other war vets," Motyka said. "Just because there was no combat, does not mean that the risk was not extremely high."
"We're giving municipalities an option, another way to recognize the efforts of their local servicemen and women," Sen. Duff said, "in a time when we as a country are significantly aware of the hardship that our veterans currently face."
"There are still some specifics that must be worked out in this legislation," said Rep. Perone. "But fundamentally this is a good bill. It provides overdue recognition to the sacrifice made by our armed forces during this contentious period in history."
Sen. Bob Duff is currently serving his second term representing the 25th Senatorial District, which includes Norwalk and Darien. He chairs the General Assembly’s Banks Committee, serves as vice chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, and is a member of the Commerce and Appropriations Committees.
Rep. Christopher Perone is serving his second term representing the 137th Assembly District of Norwalk. He is Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, and is a member of the Education and Transportation Committees.
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State Sen. Bob Duff & State Rep. Chris Perone
January 30, 2008
Norwalk lawmakers Senator Bob Duff (D) and Representative Chris Perone (D) announced today that they would be introducing a bill during the upcoming legislative session to provide state municipalities the option of exempting veterans of the Cold War from property taxes. Presently municipalities have the option of giving veterans of foreign wars a property tax exemption under section 12-81F of the general statutes. The exemption can be up to $10,000 or 10 percent of a property assessed value for eligible veterans. Under the proposed bill, the statute would be amended to include any men or women who served during the period of time known as the "Cold War."
"During the Cold War our brave men and women served in a perpetual state of readiness," Rep. Perone said. "At any moment they knew that they might have to engage in a conflict that would permanently alter the history of the human race. With all that pressure these veterans performed their daily duties with great honor and efficiency."
"Cold War veterans made the choice to serve their country at a very uncertain time in our country's history," said Sen. Duff. "That's a choice that deserves the utmost respect and consideration. They deserve our thanks and our assistance whenever possible."
According to the proposed legislation a "Cold War veteran" is any person who served in full-time active duty, other than training, in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard for a period of time more than one year during the era of September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991.
While the legislation does not specifically call for a state mandate on all municipalities, the possibility of reimbursement from the state government is presently being considered.
Norwalk resident Leo Motyka has been a passionate advocate of the proposed bill, having served as a broadcast/information specialist in the US Army during the Korean War and mid-late 1950s. Now a member of the National Legislative Committee of the American Legion, Motyka voiced his support for the legislation.
"I don't think its right that our veterans were facing down hundreds of Russian units in Germany and serving in the Demilitarized Zone in Korea, yet they are not entitled to the same benefits as other war vets," Motyka said. "Just because there was no combat, does not mean that the risk was not extremely high."
"We're giving municipalities an option, another way to recognize the efforts of their local servicemen and women," Sen. Duff said, "in a time when we as a country are significantly aware of the hardship that our veterans currently face."
"There are still some specifics that must be worked out in this legislation," said Rep. Perone. "But fundamentally this is a good bill. It provides overdue recognition to the sacrifice made by our armed forces during this contentious period in history."
Sen. Bob Duff is currently serving his second term representing the 25th Senatorial District, which includes Norwalk and Darien. He chairs the General Assembly’s Banks Committee, serves as vice chair of the Energy & Technology Committee, and is a member of the Commerce and Appropriations Committees.
Rep. Christopher Perone is serving his second term representing the 137th Assembly District of Norwalk. He is Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, and is a member of the Education and Transportation Committees.
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