INDIANAPOLIS (May 3, 2007) - Governor Mitch Daniels today was joined by Hoosier veterans and soldiers from across the state and leaders from state and national veterans organizations as he signed Senate Enrolled Act 480 into law. The measure increases benefits for Indiana's veterans and military families.
"As soon as the need was mentioned to our fellow Hoosiers to modernize and improve our rules and treatment of our veterans and their families, there was instant positive reaction. It was bipartisan, it was cooperative, and it was mutual," said Daniels. "There will not be a state in America that expresses its reverence, its gratitude, its appreciation for the soldiers of today and yesterday, more than we will."
SEA 480 enacts the following:
- Exempts all military pay earned while serving in combat theater from Indiana state income tax. This initiative would apply to all active duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel who file Indiana tax returns.
- Increases the maximum allowable state income tax deductions on military pay (including retirement pay and survivor's benefits) from $2,000 to $5,000 per year. The current allowable state income deduction on active or reserve military pay, retirement pay, or survivor's benefits is capped at $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple filing jointly. The governor's initiative increases the allowable deduction limits to $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples filing jointly. This increase restores the full value of the deduction, which has been eroded by inflation since it was first introduced in 1977.
- Provides state matching funds of up to $450,000 annually for Indiana Military Families Relief Fund. This will dedicate state funds of up to $450,000 to match all private contributions to the Indiana Military Families Relief Fund as well as revenue generated for the fund from the sale of Hoosier veteran specialty plates. Senate Enrolled Act 75, part of the governor's 2006 legislative agenda, established the fund, which provides grants for the families of Hoosier Guard members and reservists who have been called to active duty since September 11, 2001.
- Extends delayed high school diploma program. Hoosier military veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars who left high school before graduation to perform military service will now be eligible to receive a high school diploma. This program is currently available to Hoosier veterans of World War II.
- Allows in-state tuition rates for out-of-state soldiers assigned to Indiana. This would allow service members and families assigned to Indiana to be immediately eligible for in-state tuition rates at state colleges and universities, and would enable children enrolled in Indiana institutions to continue paying in-state rates even if parents are transferred elsewhere.
- Establishes a spouse employment program. This program will work with relevant professional licensing organizations to expedite the process through which military spouses must go to more efficiently transfer professional licenses such as teaching, nursing, real estate, and others to be recognized in Indiana from their previous states of residence.
The authors of SEA 480 are Senator Tom Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, Sen. Earline Rogers, D-Gary, and Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel. The House sponsors are Rep. Scott Reske, D-Pendleton and Rep. Richard McClain, R-Logansport.
The governor also signed HEA 1092 which exempts an individual on active military duty from serving on a jury, outlines circumstances under which an employee may take unpaid leave for military service, and requires an employee to be restored to ... [Show Full Digest] the original or equivalent position that the employee held before the leave. The author of HEA 1092 is Rep. Dennis Avery, D-Evansville. The Senate sponsor is Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel.
Since 2005, the governor has spearheaded a number of initiatives to help Indiana's veterans and military families, including the creation of two veterans specialty plates, restoring a fee remission program at state colleges and universities for disabled veterans, regardless of the extent of their disability, and a ban on protests within 200 yards of military funerals.
Note: Attached are selected quotes from leaders from veterans organizations about SEA 480.
Audio from the event is included here: http://www.ai.org/gov/press/media/maa/
Photos from the event are included here: http://www.ai.org/gov/press/photo/
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What leaders from Indiana's veterans organizations are
saying about SEA 480
"I want to congratulate our governor, as well as our legislators on both sides of the aisle for their sincere and timely effort to help Indiana's many veterans. The great spirit of bipartisanship displayed not only by both political parties, but more importantly by Indiana's executive branch and its legislative branch, is a model for all states to emulate. As a matter of fact, our elected leaders inside the Washington beltway should learn from Indiana's example and set aside their partisanship and get to work supporting our troops as effectively as the Indiana leaders you see here today."
Steve Short
Indiana Department of The American Legion Adjutant
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"This is very good for the veterans; it's a first step that is long overdue. Indiana is behind other states in honoring veterans. The greatest thing about this bill is that all the veterans agencies have been working together for the same purpose, for the same goals. Indiana is one of the leading states with the National Guard. We've had more troops sent overseas than any other state. This bill is very beneficial to all of us and the families and we are very grateful."
Larry Shaw
State Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars
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"This is the first improvement Indiana has had since 1966 on veterans bills to my understanding. This is just the start for the future to improve on veterans affairs for the state of Indiana."
Jim Logsdon
Military Order of the Purple Heart, Senior Vice Commander, Department of Indiana
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"This is great; this bill is the first step for us. Hopefully, as time goes by, we'll be able to make bigger and better strides for our Indiana veterans."
David McAfee
State Commander AMVETS
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