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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 9, 2023 03:30 PM |
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| From: | Senator Sharif Street |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Extending Veteran Benefits to Pennsylvania Veterans of Allied Countries |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that will extend Pennsylvania veteran benefits to veterans of allied countries living in the Commonwealth. Over the decades, many Americans have served honorably for our country, promoting and protecting the ideals of liberty and democracy of the United States as part of our armed forces. Rightfully so, veterans hold a special place in society, and we have extended to them certain benefits as a small thank you for their service. Some of these benefits include exemption of active duty and military retirement pay from income tax, a property tax exemption, access to grants for emergency financial assistance, and temporary financial assistance for “necessities of life.” Educational benefits include tuition assistance for children of deceased or disabled veterans and 10 free semesters of education at a Pennsylvania state school specifically for National Guard veterans. Employment benefits include preference for state government jobs and the opportunity to purchase retirement credit. Recreation benefits include free or reduced-cost licenses for hunting, fishing, and trapping. Millions of members of armed services from allied countries have served and continue to serve alongside American service members, fighting to preserve the same values of liberty and democracy. But, in Pennsylvania, these allied service members are not able to access the same state benefits, even though they may be eligible for federal veteran benefits. This legislation would amend sections of Title 51 (Military Affairs) to ensure veteran allies of foreign wars now living in Pennsylvania are extended equivalent benefits. The benefits extended by this legislation include:
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