Hundreds of Minnesota Veterans, their families and supporters will come together for the annual “Veterans Day on the Hill” event on Thursday, April 23. Hosted by the Minnesota Commanders’ Task Force (CTF), the day will begin with networking and lunch at the Cedar Street National Guard Armory. As usual, the group will then march en masse to the State Capitol to make their voices heard to our State Legislators.

I am proud to serve as the MC of the program held in the Capitol Rotunda. The CTF represents Minnesota’s eight Congressionally chartered Veteran organizations. Their priority for this year’s Legislative session is “Modernizing the Homestead Market Value Exclusion for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses.” The exclusion value has not changed since the benefit was first created over a decade ago while home values have risen dramatically.

CTF is proposing the following:

• Increase the exclusion amount for 70 - 100% disabled Veterans to $200,000
• Increase the exclusion amount for 100% permanently and totally disabled Veterans to $400,000
• Index new values to inflation
• Remove the references to honorable character of discharge from the statute
• Remove the equal or lesser value language for surviving spouses; it is often more expensive to downsize from a large home that is already paid off to a smaller home, townhome or condo
• Remove all remaining time limits for a surviving spouse to apply for the exclusion
• Allow active duty spouses to apply for the exclusion when they return to Minnesota after the death of a Veteran
• Allow surviving spouses to remarry and retain the benefit

An ongoing priority for both the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) and the CTF is that any finance related bills move in a Veterans and Military Affairs Omnibus Bill. This bill has successfully passed each of the last four years.

Contact your State Legislator today and make your voices heard.

Remember that the MDVA is here to serve Veterans and their families from all eras. If you need information or support on any Veteran issue, please visit our website, contact your County Veterans Service Officer, or contact LinkVet at 1-888-LinkVet.

Thank YOU for your service!