Legislation Increases Financial Support, Provides Fee Exemptions for Veterans

Three bills sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-Morris) to support New Jersey veterans have passed the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

The first bill, S-2452, increases the state’s annual allowance for each blind, paraplegic, or hemiplegic veteran in New Jersey. As of 2018, 206 veterans are receiving assistance through the Blind Veterans’ Allowance Program or through the Paraplegic and Hemiplegic Veterans’ Allowance Program, with five receiving aid from both programs.

“Our wounded warriors face a wide variety of challenges when they return home and right now, the aid they are getting from the state is falling short,” Bucco said. “The annual monetary allowance we give to a blind or paraplegic veteran hasn’t changed in 47 years, but our cost of living has grown by leaps and bounds. Increasing compensation for those who have lost their sight or their mobility in service to our country is the right thing to do.”

The second bill advanced by the committee today, S-3266, would exempt disabled and Purple Heart veterans from municipal parking fees. Their car must display a veterans license plate issued through the New Jersey’s Motor Vehicle Commission for the exemption to be honored.

The third bill, S-2930, would waive the initial fee for all honorably discharged veterans applying to become a New Jersey insurance producer.

“Our men and women in uniform have sacrificed so much to keep our country safe,” Bucco commented. “Whether it’s providing financial support for our wounded warriors, or helping vets find a job, we have to do more to help these brave men and women thrive when they come home. I’m glad to see these bills pass today and I look forward to seeing them continue to gain support in both houses of the Legislature.”