Rep. Costello Joins House In Delivering Tax Relief To Military Families

Boston - Thousands of Massachusetts veterans and their families will be eligible for various forms of state tax relief thanks to comprehensive legislation unanimously approved by the House of Representatives. The Massachusetts Military Enhanced Relief Individual Tax (MERIT) Plan honors the memory and bears the name of Edward G. Connolly, a U.S. Army veteran and an eight-term state Representative from Everett who passed away in May 2006.

“The various elements of this legislation provide a valuable service to our Commonwealth’s honored veterans and their families. The tax exemptions and benefits will be absorbed almost entirely at the state level without burdening local cities and towns.” said Rep. Michael A. Costello.

The legislation, which now heads to the Senate, delivers the following forms of relief to the Commonwealth’s military families:
• Grants a $2,500 property tax exemption for eligible surviving spouses of veterans killed in combat or missing in action.
• Increases the real estate tax exemption for disabled veterans from $600 to $1,000 and makes the exemption available for surviving spouses of qualifying disabled veterans;
• Establishes a new five year 100% property tax exemption for war widows and widowers (Gold Star Spouses);
• Extends sales and vehicle excise tax exemptions to all veterans who qualify for a Disabled Veterans license plate, as determined by the Registry of Motor Vehicle’s Medical Advisory Board; and
• Gives cities and towns the local option of suspending property tax payments from National Guard members and Reservists who are serving on active duty or their dependants.

“Passing this bill unanimously demonstrates how highly Rep. Costello and his fellow legislators value the Commonwealth’s veterans,” said Ron Koontz Director of Veterans Services in Amesbury. “The MERIT Plan, coupled with the Welcome Home Bill that became law last November, demonstrates the Legislature’s steadfast commitment to the state’s veterans and the benefits they rightly deserve.”

“This legislation honors a colleague who dedicated his life to fighting for the men and women who courageously fight for us.” said Rep. Costello. “I believe it is an appropriate tribute and way to dignify the sacrifices made by our service men and women and their families.”

State Representative Edward G. “Sonny” Connolly of Everett died on May 25, 2006 at 77. Dedicating his life to service of others, Representative Connolly was a veteran of the U.S. Army, an elected official for 51 years and chairman of Veteran Affairs in the State House.