Skoufis Bill to Establish Tax Benefit for Disabled Active Armed Forces Passes Full Legislature

**PRESS RELEASE**
Skoufis Bill to Establish Tax Benefit for Disabled Active Armed Forces Passes Full Legislature

Senator James Skoufis’ (D-Hudson Valley) legislation to extend a property tax benefit to active members of the armed forces who are severely disabled passed the full legislature (S.1681).

Currently, only veterans, not active members of the armed forces, are eligible for a real property tax exemption. As a result, there are seriously disabled members of our armed forces who are being excluded from receiving a benefit they rightfully deserve due to their decision to continue serving our country. This legislation ends this discrepancy by extending this property tax benefit to current members of the armed forces who, despite being seriously disabled, remain in active service.

“Service members who are severely disabled, yet are still on active duty, deserve nothing less than respect, support, and assistance from their government,” said Senator James Skoufis. “That’s why since 2015, when I was serving in the Assembly, I have been fighting to get this bill passed. I’m so proud that during my first legislative session in the Senate, we were able to get this bill through the full Legislature and I strongly urge the Governor to quickly sign this into law.”

Pete Rollins, Chapter Service Officer for Disabled Veterans said, “I thank Senator Skoufis for getting this incredibly necessary bill through the Legislature. This will make a big difference for our disabled active members. When you join the military, you aren’t doing it for the money, you’re doing it to serve this country, so when our elected officials make it a priority to help us, it means the world.”

When he was in the Assembly, Skoufis visited and met with every American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and AMVETS post that he represented. Now in the Senate, he and his office are doing similar outreach to the Senate District's veteran organizations to ensure Skoufis is able to carry their voice to the state Legislature.

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