State Senator Andrew Maynard
May 23, 2008
New Legislation to Benefit Veterans and Their Families
News laws will expand educational opportunities for dependents of veterans killed in action, help redeployed families make ends meet, and create a special ‘Support Our Troops!’ license plate
Senators Williams, Maynard, Prague, Colapietro and Stillman detail new laws about to take effect in Connecticut that will help military personnel and their families. (May 23, 2008)
As Memorial Day approaches, veterans from across Connecticut joined legislative leaders at a news conference at the State Capitol to detail new laws about to take effect in Connecticut that will help military personnel and their families.
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion stood with Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn), Speaker of the House James Amann (D-Milford), Veterans' Affairs Committee Co-Chairs Senator Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) and Rep. Ted Graziani (D-Ellington), along with Senator Edith Prague (D-Columbia), Senator Tom Colapietro (D-Bristol), and Senator Andrea Stillman (D-Waterford), and spoke about the importance of increasing support for Connecticut's veterans.
"Veterans deserve more than lip service when it comes to honoring their public service," said Senator Williams. "While the Federal government drops the ball on issues such as body armor and conditions at Army hospitals, our state government is stepping up. This Memorial Day, as we pay tribute to our veterans, I am proud that we will be able to say we got something done for them and their families."
"Connecticut is the proud home to many soldiers who have served, and are serving, with distinction and honor in each of the branches of our Armed Forces," said Speaker Amann. "We must never forget the sacrifices of all veterans, and that is why our Veterans Affairs Committee is so important and continues to work hard each year to improve the services and benefits the state provides."
"These measures are all positive steps toward improving the quality of life for our veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families, and in enhancing the honor and recognition of their service," said Senator Maynard. "Our military families need our support. The Veterans' Committee and the General Assembly have taken major steps over the last few years to provide this support. These bills are a continuation of that effort."
"As co-chairman of the Veterans' Committee, I am extremely thankful to my colleagues in the Connecticut General Assembly for their dedication to helping Connecticut's veterans," Rep. Graziani said. "This last session we passed significant legislation that will greatly aid military families with educational opportunities and veterans' health care needs. Our men and women in uniform and those who have already served deserve all the support we can give to them. I am delighted to be a part of these extraordinary accomplishments."
State Senator Len Fasano (R-North Haven), ranking member on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, who was unable to attend today's event said, "Each year, Veterans' Day provides us with a chance to reflect on all that our brave soldiers, past and present, have done for our country--how they have served selflessly to ensure the freedom of American citizens. I am pleased with the legislature's progress this year in expanding benefits and services to ensure that Connecticut's Veterans, along with their families, are properly cared for and never forgotten."
Educational Opportunities: Legislation was approved to provide additional educational opportunities for veterans and their families.
- Connecticut will now offer tuition waivers to any state resident who is a dependent child or surviving spouse of a state resident killed in action while performing active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001. Waivers will be available to the University of Connecticut, any of the four Connecticut State Universities and any community-technical college in the state beginning on July 1, 2008. (PA08-71, SB48)
- Lawmakers also adopted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which creates uniform standards for schools in order to help placement, enrollment, and other decisions involving children in kindergarten through grade 12 when they move to other states because their parents are deployed on active duty in the U. S. Armed Forces. The compact's stated purpose is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on such children because of their parents' frequent moves and deployment. (PA08-57, HB5545)
- In addition, the tuition waiver for veterans will be expanded to include graduate school tuition for National Guard members beginning, July 1, 2008. (PA08-57, HB5545)
Support for Military Families: The General Assembly approved a bill that enhances unemployment benefits for military spouses who receive unemployment benefits if they voluntarily leave their jobs because their military spouse has been relocated. It makes the eligibility period permanent. (PA08-40, HB5438)
Honoring Veterans: This session, the General Assembly created several new opportunities to honor the service of Connecticut's veterans and active duty troops:
- Starting in January 2009, any Connecticut resident can purchase a "Support Our Troops!" license plate, and a portion of the $60 fee will be used to assist servicemen and women, their families and veterans. (SB298, Section 24)
- Lawmakers eliminated the $10 plate fee for the Gold Star license plate, which is available for families of veterans who are killed in action while performing active military duty with the U.S. Armed Forces. (PA08-104, HB5044)
- The General Assembly extended eligibility for burial in the state veterans' cemeteries to frontline members of the National Guard and modified eligibility requirements for admission to the state's Veterans' Home.
- Legislation now allows the widows of Connecticut veterans to receive wartime service medals honoring their spouses. (PA08-87, SB307)
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