Porter offers amendment increasing property tax savings for disabled veterans

Today, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter offered an amendment to House Bill 1177 in the House Committee on Ways and Means. The amendment would have increased the property tax deduction for disabled veterans to 100% of a property’s assessed value, an increase from the current maximum of $14,000. Veterans who rent would also have received a renter’s deduction of up to $20,000 of their adjusted gross income. The committee did not take a vote on the amendment.

Porter released the following statement: 

“This amendment is about giving back to our disabled veterans who gave everything for our country. They deserve the most relief possible from the state because of their sacrifices. Skyrocketing property taxes are threatening the security of older homeowners with fixed incomes. They need immediate relief. 

“We also need to help our veterans who rent. There are 10,000 veterans who are renters, and they received nothing in the majority’s current proposal. They deserve relief, too. 

“I don't want our disabled veterans to be in a precarious financial situation because of a lack of assistance from the state. We have a duty to care for them. We have a duty to help our veterans just like they helped our country. 

“A vote was not taken on my amendment today, but Republicans seemed open to collaboration. I will continue to push for this vital relief for our disabled veterans this session.”