Governor Rick Perry with a group of Veterans from the Patriot Guard Riders
I’ve met Governor Rick Perry on a number of occasions at various Patriot Guard Rider funeral missions. His respect for the fallen Soldier as well as the numerous Veterans who comprise the PGR is evident.
Even when I haven’t agreed with his politics, I’ve always held Rick Perry the man in very high regard — as do most Veterans that I know.
Which makes this latest legislation that he just signed into law just one more reason that I’ll support and vote for him in his re-election bid for Governor:
Under legislation signed by Gov. Rick Perry last month, Trejo and other severely injured veterans are about to get some major financial relief: They will no longer have to pay property taxes on their homes.
Disabled veterans in Texas will qualify for total homestead property tax exemptions if the Department of Veterans Affairs has determined they are unable to work or they are receiving 100 percent disability compensation for physical or psychological problems related to their military service.
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability will not have to pay property tax. Which is the very least that we can do for those who have sacrificed so much for so many.
This legislation amounts to about an $11m tax break for Veterans. In a state budget of over $180 billion, it’s just a drop in the bucket.
If you read the comments section over at the Houston Chronicle, this is a very popular new law.
Outstanding!
I know of a bunch of vets that have partial physical disabilites, and some who have been diagnosed with PTSD, that won’t qualify, and wish they could get some relief, but this is a wonderful piece of legislation.
On another note, a guy I was acquainted with,and a friend of a friend, that served on Swift Boats in Nam, died a few days ago. He was in very bad shape, and had been on 100% disability for his PTSD for years. The experience just did a number on him.
After years of problems, he had a stroke a month or so ago, and they finally turned his respirator off on Saturday. His kidneys, heart, and other organs were shutting down.
Unfortunately, his POS daughter, who never gave him an ounce of love, has power of attorney, and won’t allow any public ceremony, no PGR, and will have him cremated and disposed of without acknowledging his service or his life.
Awesome.
Finally a politician that has some heart and backbone for our heroes to help them out.
Wow, small world N2L. I know who you are referring to and on the many occasions that our paths crossed, the gentleman talked about his daughter. I know for a fact that he would go without needs and wants just so he could make sure his PIA daughter had everything she needed.That man was one of the honorable millions that have served under the Stars and Stripes. He will be greatly missed by all.
Is there a tax break for disabled veterans with less than 100% disability?
Ben,
I do not think there is, but I would certainly be supportive of such a tax break for any of our veterans who have suffered any type of disability due to injuries incurred while serving our nation.
Yes, there is a break depending on your percentage of your service connected disability.
My rating is 30%, so I am only taxed on 70% of my home’s appraised value. It’s not a huge saving, but it’s something.
So glad I was wrong! That is the least we should do for our disabled vets.
No reason why you can’t have a private memorial service where friends and admirers gather together to honor and toast a comrade.
His friends kept pressing the issue, until she relented and allowed a memorial service, with a viewing. I found out two days after the fact.
I am very sorry about your friend. I am sad to hear that he suffered so greatly from PTSD after his years of service. PTSD is such a painful and exceptionally difficult disorder for those who suffer from it.
Too bad his own daughter never gave him the respect that he deserved. It sounds like, however, that he had lots of friends who filled in the gap by providing him with love and support. I am sure he was very aware of this support and that it provided him much-needed strength on his worst days.
The biggest loss here is his daughter’s. She will have to live every single day of the rest of her life knowing that she missed every opportunity to show her father her love and respect. It is a tremendous shame that she denied him the honor of a public service, complete with PGR and military honors. At least he is honored by his friends and will not be forgotten.
The only other good thing in his sad story is that he is no longer suffering. May he rest in peace.