Politics & Government
Bill Would Help Disabled Veterans' Spouses Stay in Their Homes, Senator Says
A bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Wiger would allow widows and widowers of disabled veterans to keep a property tax benefit after their spouse dies.
Firsthand accounts from the widows of disabled veterans prompted Sen. Chuck Wiger, to introduce a bill, SF142, last Friday that would allow the spouse of a disabled veteran to retain a property tax benefit even after the veteran dies, he said.
Currently, state law exempts disabled veterans from having to pay a portion, or all of their property taxes based on the severity of their disability. But if the veteran dies, after one year the spouse must start paying the full amount of the property taxes under current law.
This puts the widows or widowers in a situation where their taxes could jump thousands of dollars, said Wiger (DFL-55), of Maplewood.
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One such widow called Wiger’s office “very tearful,” Wiger said. “She wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to stay in her house now. If you’re on a very limited income … this might make the difference.”
Wiger said the tax benefit would continue until the spouse sells the property or turns the deed over to someone else. He said he expects bipartisan support for the bill.
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Here’s what’s happened this past week with other bills authored or co-authored by your legislators:
Sen. Chuck Wiger—Introduced a bill that would require that candidates for alternative teacher licensure be affiliated with a college or university program and undergo a minimum of a 200-hour instructional phase before assuming classroom duties. SF144, introduced Jan. 27.
Sen. Chuck Wiger—Introduced a bill that would require college and career readiness assessments for high school students. SF143, introduced Jan. 27.
Sen. Chuck Wiger—Introduced a bill that would appropriate $1.25 million in bonding money toward improvements at the Interstate 694 and Rice Street Interchange. SF112, introduced Jan. 27.
Sen. Chuck Wiger—Introduced a bill that would appropriate $1.5 million toward improvements at the Interstate 694 and White Bear Avenue interchange. SF111, introduced Jan. 27.
Rep. Nora Slawik—Co-sponsored a bill that would require health plans to provide coverage for diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of autism spectrum disorders. HF204, introduced Jan. 24.
Editor's Note: Capitol Review is a weekly look at what your state legislators are doing at the Minnesota Capitol—how they're voting, the bills they're writing and the issues they're getting behind. Come back to Oakdale Patch every Monday for a new Capitol Review.