Letter: Extend ‘Disability’ benefits to Rhode Island’s veterans

Posted 5/6/21

Gov. Dan McKee, congratulations on assuming the governor’s position. I’m looking forward to you doing the best for the citizens of Rhode Island. An issue that I have been advocating for …

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Letter: Extend ‘Disability’ benefits to Rhode Island’s veterans

Posted

Gov. Dan McKee, congratulations on assuming the governor’s position. I’m looking forward to you doing the best for the citizens of Rhode Island. An issue that I have been advocating for is a change to R.I. Gen. Law 44-33-3, Property Tax Relief.

For seven years I have advocated to the General Assembly to correct the language in this law as to the meaning of disability. Presently this law is discriminating against Rhode Island’s Disabled Veterans, as due to the meaning of “disability,” they are excluded from taking the credit.

Frustrating me is that for the past seven years, the Senate passed their version and passed it to the House, but the House bill goes to committee and dies. This year’s House bill is H-5690 and is due to go to the Finance Committee, and I bet it will be held over again for the eighth year.

I have tried to reach out to the House Speaker and was blown off, which I find, as a citizen, rude. My opinion is, if they don’t want to open this law up to Disabled Veterans, then rescind the law and save the taxpayers the $3.5 million that is paid out for this credit, which is only being received by people on SSDI/SSI.

I have advocated for eight years and keep asking the question, why is there a law allowing discrimination against a certain class of citizens?  I look forward to have a written response from you as soon as possible, before this bill gets killed again.

David Silvia
Providence

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