Gov. Gregoire signs bills to honor veterans, extend tax exemption

For Immediate Release: March 27, 2008

CHEHALIS � Gov. Chris Gregoire today took action on multiple bills, including those that expand both tax relief for veterans and eligibility for prisoner of war license plates to honor Washington�s veterans.

One measure expands the property tax exemption and other property tax relief programs to more veterans as well as some other qualifying homeowners. The Department of Revenue estimates that an additional 1,150 veterans will qualify for the property tax deferral and exemption programs.

�We owe our veterans so much,� said Sen. Margarita Prentice, D-Renton, the sponsor of Senate Bill 5256. �We must ensure that they aren�t literally getting taxed out of their homes. The state already has a program in place to do this, and allowing more than a thousand veterans to qualify for it is not only good public policy, it�s one more measure of our enormous gratitude for the sacrifices that our veterans have made on all our behalf.�

�I thank the active duty, retired servicemen and women and veterans groups for all they have done to serve our country and all they do for our state�s military communities,� Gregoire said. �We must do whatever we can to help veterans keep their homes, and this bill will accomplish that for many retirees.�

�On behalf of the Governor�s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, I would like to thank you and our legislators for considering, passing and signing into law more than 40 pieces of legislation in the past several years aimed at helping or honoring veterans and their families,� said Bill Schrier, VAAC past chairman. �I can say with confidence that veterans issues are not only talked about in Olympia, they are acted on and passed.�

�The Veterans Legislative Coalition is made up of each of our state�s veterans service organizations, so as you can well imagine each of our organizations has its own set of priorities and goals,� said Dennis Primoli, chairman of the Veterans Legislative Coalition. �However, when it comes to veterans issues at the legislative level, I am proud to say that veterans speak with one voice. Even during this short legislative session, seven bills directly affecting veterans were passed, not the least of which is the bill providing property tax relief to veterans who are 100 percent disabled. On behalf of the Veterans Legislative Coalition, thank you, Governor Gregoire and our state legislators.�

Gregoire also signed Senate Bill 6237, which expands the eligibility for POW license plates and lets family members of veterans purchase the plates in their honor. It was introduced at the request of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs in the name of the even greater number of people wishing to pay tribute to their loved one�s service in the armed forces. Part of the purchase and renewal price of each plate also goes to an account to be used for activities that benefit veterans.

The governor joins all Washingtonians in wishing the brave men and women of the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team Godspeed and a safe return, and expressed her appreciation to their families for the support they provide their loved ones. The Combat Team was recently activated to deploy and support Operation Iraqi Freedom.


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