| VIPMOAA THANKS VIRGINIA VOTERS FOR APPROVING STATE-WIDE |
| REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF for 100% DISABLED VETERANS |
| VIRGINIA ELECTION 2 NOV 2010 Included This Key Constitutional Ammendment |
It was an impressive victory. We can all take pride in our actions.
/ Frank Duckett, VIPMOAA Legislative Chair
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The passage of the "2nd Amendment" on the ballot to grant personal property tax relief to veterans with a 100% disability was truly gratifying. It was especially pleasing to note how overwhelmingly citizens in the local community and across the state supported the Amendment.
Jim Pauls, VIPMOAA President
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| VIPMOAA Legislative Committee members pictured promoting the 2nd of 3 Virginia Constitutional Amendments on the ballot 2 Nov 2010. From Left: Don Klovstad, Stan Gorrelll, and in foreground is Legislative Chair Frank Duckett. photo at VIPMOAA 23 Sep 2010 meeting. By M. Mallison, VIPMOAA PAO. See additional photos at bottom of this page. |
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| VIPMOAA Urged
VOTE YES
ON 2ND
Three proposed amendments - They are not mutually exclusive - The Veterans Amendment is #2
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ARTICLE X, SECTION 6-A
PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN VETS
(100% permanently disabled)
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| Photo of enlarged DVS poster, of the Virginia MOAA & JLC-supported amendment, at VCOC MOAA 16 Sep 2010 Legislative Committee Meeting. Photo by Melva Mallison, PAO of VCOC and VIPMOAA |
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| Voting info at VIPMOAA 23 Sep 2010 meeting. Photo by M. Mallison, VIPMOAA PAO |
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| VCOC MOAA & VIPMOAA Presidents, Colonels Sam Wilder, USA, Ret and Jim Pauls, USAF Ret, at VIPMOAA 23 Sep 2010 meeting. photo by Melva Mallison, VIPMOAA & VCOC PAO |
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Our local newspaper, the Daily Press, did not print VIPMOAA's news release in support of the amendment. This is the news release info.
The Virginia Peninsula chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (VIPMOAA) urges a yes vote on Nov 2 for a constitutional amendment which will give real estate tax relief to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their surviving spouses in Virginia. The change to Virginia’s constitution is required to create a special class of exemption. Note the exemption is for owner-occupied property that is the primary residence of the veteran, and only for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities (not other percentages and not temporary disabilities). Surviving spouses of exempted veterans will be covered as long as they do not remarry and do continue to occupy the home as a principal residence. If passed, the exemption will take effect Jan 1, 2011.
VIPMOAA has long advocated for this measure, along with MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC), an active member of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Services Organizations (JLC). To get this important measure on the ballot first required the measure to pass the General Assembly by two separate votes, two separate General Assemblies. It passed unanimously. The amendment is a top priority of the JLC which consists of 23 Veterans Services Organizations throughout the Commonwealth.
Said VIPMOAA’s Legislative Chair, Maj Frank Ducket, USAF, Ret, “I can think of no other group of people more deserving than our disabled veterans of having something good happen for them. As residents of a state near the top in numbers of military active duty and veterans, Virginians have a proud history of caring for these populations. Approval of this constitutional amendment would fit nicely in with Governor McDonnell’s publicly stated intent of making Virginia the most veteran friendly state in the nation. Please vote YES.”
Our 100% disabled veterans continue to suffer from disabilities incurred during military service to our Nation and the Commonwealth.
The Department of Veterans Services indicates there are about 7,400 Virginia-veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating. It is not known how many also own homes in Virginia. Some Virginia localities already give real estate tax exemption to disabled veterans. This amendment creates a specific state-wide exemption, with no limit due to age and no means testing.
For more info you may refer to flyer and FAQs at right, or go to the JLC portion of Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) Website http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/board-jlc.shtml.
/ Melva Mallison, Maj, USAF, Ret, VIPMOAA Public Affairs Officer
and a Past President of VIPMOAA
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Flyer/Poster by DVS with VIPMOAA info at bottom |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from DVS website - JLC portion |
Virgnia Poster with all three Amendments In the Order they appear on ballot. We promote the 2nd. |
VIPMOAA helped promote this yes vote by:
__ full page flyer in October Newsletter
__ email reminder to members with email
__ posters and sample ballots at meetings.
__ Legislative Buzz in multiple newsletters.
__ Word-of-mouth, encouraging friends and acquaintences to vote yes on the amendment.
__ Flyers posted at retirement communities.
__ Patriots Colony included in their newsletter for residents.
__ News Release sent to local civilian and military newspapers
__ Letters to the editor of Daily Press.
| Letters to the Daily Press editor were sent by several VIPMOAA members and those from three members, including our president, were published. But the Daily Press on 20 Oct and 2 Nov published their opinion recommending a no vote.
Results incicate overwhelming support of the initiative Virginia-wide (with a greater margin of yes votes than the other two amendments which also passed.
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