JEFF LAMBERTI

STATE SENATOR

Thirty-fifth District

Statehouse: (515) 281-3371

jeff.lamberti@legis.state.ia.us

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HOME ADDRESS

2621 NW 17th Street

Ankeny, Iowa 50021

Phone: H-(515) 965-1067

O-(515) 965-1200

F-(515) 964-8796

 

     

The Senate

State of Iowa

Eighty-first General Assembly

STATEHOUSE

Des Moines, Iowa  50319

 

 

 

REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT

 

COMMITTEES

 

 Appropriations

 Rules & Administration

                               

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:    January 18, 2006

 

CONTACT:  Kimberley Steenhoek

                       (515) 281-6571

 

 

Lamberti Announces Aggressive Agenda to Assist Veterans

 

(Des Moines)  Iowa Senate co-President Jeff Lamberti (R-Ankeny) today unveiled an aggressive agenda to assist military veterans for the 2006 legislative session.  “It’s nearly impossible to put into words or deeds the amount that Iowa’s veterans have sacrificed to keep our country free and safe,” said Lamberti.  “That is why veterans issues will be one of my top priorities during the 2006 legislative session.”

Toping Lamberti’s agenda will be to dedicate $25 million in the state’s budget to help veterans, with that money being used to provide funding for the Veteran’s Trust Fund, provide financial assistance to counties to provide a specialized veteran’s coordinator, and increase funding for the National Guard Housing Assistance Program.  In addition, Lamberti will push the legislature to fully fund the military property tax credit, and double the value of this credit over the next five years. 

 

Lamberti will also advocate legislation that would freeze property taxes on the primary residence of disabled veterans living in Iowa.  “During my time in the Iowa legislature, I’ve worked hard to promote issues facing veterans once they’ve returned to Iowa,” said Lamberti.  “But it’s clear that more can be done to help our Iowa veterans.”

 

Work on veterans’ issues is not new to Lamberti.  Previously, he has worked to pass several pieces of legislation to help veterans, including legislation that significantly increased the tax credit available to disabled veterans.  “The Iowa legislature should set a goal of making Iowa the friendliest state in the country to military veterans,” said Lamberti.

 

“Iowa’s veterans put themselves in harms way, half a world a way from their families,” noted Lamberti.  “I am always moved by how Iowa families react when a loved one returns home from serving in the military.  And for those who pay the ultimate sacrifice, Iowans are always there to pay their respect.  I hope the 2006 legislative session will see the legislature show a similar amount of respect to all Iowa veterans.”

 

Jeff Lamberti’s 2006 Veterans State Legislative Agenda

 

  1. Appropriate $25 million from veterans programs, including:
    1. Veterans Trust Fund
    2. Financial assistance to counties to provide a specialized Veterans Coordinator
    3. Matching funds to assist veteran service organizations in providing service offices
    4. National Guard Housing Assistance Program
  2. Fully fund the Military Property Tax Credit
  3. Double the amount of the Military Property Tax Credit over the next five years
  4. Freeze property taxes in the primary residence of disabled veterans
  5. Exempt all military income received by members of the National Guard and Reserve Forces from state income taxes while on active duty.
  6. Require all additional funds received from any type of veterans’ license plates be deposited into the Veterans Trust Fund.
  7. Provide the option of buying either a lifetime hunting or fishing license for $16 for disabled veterans.
  8. Establish a tax exemption for costs incurred for purchasing life insurance for active duty members of the national guard and reserves.

 

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