Indiana veterans and military service members advocate for pro-military legislation

INDIANAPOLIS — Over 300 present and former navy members got here to the Indiana Statehouse Tuesday to advocate for insurance policies that can enhance their high quality of life. On the high of that listing is to now not pay earnings taxes on navy earnings.

“We’ve got a number of reservists and Guard within the state of Indiana,” James Bauerle, an Military Veteran and the Legislative Chair of the Navy Veterans Coalition of Indiana, mentioned. “We’ve got lots of people who be part of the navy and go on energetic obligation. Individuals will then go away the state as a result of Indiana taxes all the pieces over $5,000 of navy earnings.”

For years, veterans have been advocating for insurance policies to raised enhance their lives. Home Invoice 1034 would exempt navy earnings from Indiana earnings tax.

Bauerle says the invoice wants to incorporate extra than simply energetic members of the navy.

“We wish the identical factor that the Guard will get for reserve navy members, ” Bauerle mentioned.

Different navy teams want to see the legislature permit veteran organizations to have video gaming machines. They are saying this coverage would permit veteran organizations to remain open by creating extra income. Conserving the doorways open for American Legions and different veteran organizations have confirmed tough that previous few years.

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Additionally they need the legislature to provide veterans free entrance to Indiana State Parks, one thing they really feel will assist higher the psychological well being of present and former navy members. They’d prefer to see a modification to varsity tuition payment exemptions as nicely.

Veterans like Bauerle say they will get behind that if reserve members are included.

“Indiana has state regulation that pays for faculty tuition for those who be part of the Indiana Nationwide Guard,” Bauerle mentioned. “Those that be part of the reserves get nothing from the state. That’s fallacious.”

Veterans like Rhonda Seward hope the state will proceed recognizing ladies within the navy by designating June 12 as Ladies Veterans Recognition Day.

“In the present day ladies are in infantry items, ladies are in several branches of the navy service and they’re doing new jobs and new issues,” Seward mentioned. “I simply need them to get that recognition for his or her contributions.”

In keeping with the Navy Veterans Coalition of Indiana, all of the states that border Indiana exempt navy associated earnings from earnings taxes.

Home Invoice 1034 has been referred to the Veterans Affairs and Public Security Committee, which meets on Wednesday.

To learn extra in regards to the VFW’s 4 principal legislative priorities, click on right here. To learn extra in regards to the Navy Veterans Coalition of Indiana’s priorities, click on right here.