Urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to support H.B. 2224, which provides 100 percent property tax relief for all disabled veterans regardless of whether their disability was sustained during wartime or peacetime, and H.B.2225, which provides for a tax relief stipend to disabled veterans who are not 100 percent disabled.

WHEREAS, On January 26, 2010 Representative Doug Reichley (R-Lehigh/Berks) introduced H.B. 2224, and Representative Thomas P. Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) introduced H.B. 2225, in which both bills were designed to help disabled veterans; and

WHEREAS, H.B. 2224 amends Pennsylvania’s constitution by removing “served during a period of war” requirement and the “financial need” requirement for the Commonwealth’s Disabled Veteran Real Estate Exemption Program. This will provide 100 percent property tax relief for all disabled veterans regardless of whether their disability was sustained during wartime or peacetime. The bill also allows for the surviving spouse of a soldier killed in action to qualify for this benefit; and

WHEREAS, H.B. 2225 provides a tax relief stipend to disabled veterans who are not 100 percent disabled. 30 percent disabled would receive $200 rebate, 31-60 percent disabled would receive $350 rebate, and 61-99 percent disabled would receive $500 rebate. Those considered 100 percent disabled would be exempt from property taxes. The program would function in conjunction with Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program; and

WHEREAS, H.B. 2224 and H.B. 2225 provide immediate relief to veterans who have served honorably and fought courageously for freedom, democracy and self-determination; and

WHEREAS, There are roughly 88,000 veterans living in Philadelphia with service spanning World War II until the present, men and women, of all races, religions, ethnicities, gender-identifications, physical abilities; and

WHEREAS, Veterans have served our Country and offer great leadership and talents to our City, and also deserve access to the full range of disability benefits and services that they have earned; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADEPHIA, Urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to support H.B. 2224, which provides 100 percent property tax relief for all disabled veterans regardless of whether their disability was sustained during wartime or peacetime, and H.B.2225, which provides for a tax relief stipend to disabled veterans who are not 100 percent disabled.

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