Veterans give strength to Oklahoma’s workforce, governor says | The Journal Record

Whereas states throughout the nation are honoring veterans for his or her army service in observance of Veterans Day, Gov. Kevin Stitt thinks every single day must be Veterans Day in Oklahoma.

That’s why he signed 5 payments this 12 months that present veterans and their households with a smorgasbord of advantages that function a welcome mat for veterans to remain in Oklahoma following their service.

“I’ve set a imaginative and prescient to be primary in caring for our veterans within the state of Oklahoma,” Stitt mentioned this week.

Whereas Stitt expresses respect and admiration for veterans and their service, he additionally sees them as an financial profit to the state and he want to hold as many as doable in Oklahoma’s workforce. He want to entice others to maneuver right here as effectively.

One of many payments Stitt signed waves the state’s tax on army retirement advantages, he says.

“I came upon that when veterans retire from locations like Tinker Air Pressure Base and Lawton-Fort Sill, loads of instances, they have been solely 37, 38, 40 years previous,” Stitt mentioned. “They have been shifting to Texas, Florida, Tennessee, states with zero revenue tax. So, we eradicated that in Oklahoma.”

These veterans are going to begin their second careers and it’s vital for Oklahoma’s workforce to maintain them right here, he mentioned.

“We needed to do every part we might to advertise them,” Stitt mentioned.

Along with the SB 401 measure to chop taxes, the opposite advantages embrace SB 1670, which offers gross sales tax exemptions to widows of army members who’ve died in fight, and HB 3649, which offers gross sales tax exemptions to veteran-affiliated organizations. Stitt additionally signed HB 3709, which permits veterans in public retirement programs to buy army service credit, and HB 1067, which ensures dignified burial for sure veterans.

Along with the brand new state legal guidelines, the Oklahoma Division of Veterans Affairs introduced in September that Oklahoma earned the highest rating in incapacity compensation and pension advantages.

Based on the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma presents the nation’s highest common annual price of $8,593, which is greater than $450 per 12 months larger than the closest ranked state. Oklahoma beat out North Carolina, Texas, Alabama and Georgia, which additionally have been within the high 5.

Stitt mentioned the state additionally has taken measures to profit spouses who observe their husbands or wives to Oklahoma army bases. The state is making particular efforts to make sure army spouses could be licensed rapidly to allow them to proceed their careers in Oklahoma.

Stitt mentioned Tinker, Fort Sill, Altus Air Pressure Base, Vance Air Pressure Base and the McAlester Military Ammunition Plant are essential to Oklahoma’s financial success.

“We’d like the communities which are wrapped round these bases to supply the schooling and ensure we’re loving on the service-member households as effectively. All of it works collectively,” Stitt mentioned.

Oklahoma has a robust army presence, and the state must hold that going as a result of the standard of employees popping out of the army are top-notch, Stitt mentioned.

“They’ve already been skilled, they know self-discipline, they perceive onerous work, they report on time, and so they perceive what it takes to achieve success,” he mentioned. “They’ve a can-do keep on with it, angle, and they’re very patriotic. There are specific sectors the place that’s all they wish to rent is former army people, so we wish to proceed to advertise that.”