April 30, 2003

REP. GODFREY APPLAUDS HOUSE PASSAGE
OF VETERAN-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION

Deputy Majority Leader Robert Godfrey (D-Danbury) announced House passage of An Act Concerning an Optional Increase in the Veteran’s Property Tax Exemption. The bill, co-authored by Rep. Godfrey, would allow municipalities to increase the amount of the property tax exemption for veterans. The legislation passed unanimously.

As a veteran of the United States Navy who is active in veterans organizations, Rep. Godfrey said improving benefits to veterans must always be a priority. "Veterans, the men and women who served our country bravely and nobly, deserve this benefit," Rep. Godfrey said. "Property taxes are among the most regressive taxes - any relief we provide is a step in the right direction."

The legislation would increase the maximum value of the exemption to 10% of the property’s value (with a minimum exemption of $10,000), rather than the current capped amount of $10,000.

This bill would also expand the number of veterans and their surviving spouses who are eligible for the optional property tax exemption. It would increase the maximum income limit for the program by $25,000 ($41,200 for a single veteran or a survivor of a veteran and $45,000 for a married veteran). As a voluntary program, the increase would need to be approved by a municipality’s legislative body.

Rep. Godfrey said, "This is strictly enabling legislation  each town can make its own decision when it comes to extending this benefit to veterans. Fortunately for veterans in my home town, Danbury’s Common Council was one of the driving forces behind the development of this expanded tax exemption."

The legislation awaits action by the Senate.

Rep. Godfrey is the State Representative from the 110th district in Danbury. The eight-term Democrat serves as Deputy Majority Leader, as chairman of the House Democrats’ Bill Review Committee, and as a member of the Judiciary Committee, the Legislative Management Committee, and the Public Safety Committee.