[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6127286,"mediaKeyId","2663841-45fdc092b1e5974db95ebdfc74b71446","parentId",2663841,"title","Assembly committee advances proportional property-tax rebate for disabled veterans, caps rebate at $5,000","audioSeconds",1194,"startMs",77585,"endMs",1271880,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663841-45fdc092b1e5974db95ebdfc74b71446&start=77&end=1271","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663841-45fdc092b1e5974db95ebdfc74b71446/thumbnail_77585.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127286/New-Jersey/Assembly-committee-advances-proportional-property-tax-rebate-for-disabled-veterans-caps-rebate-at-5000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127286-ae8645932012098fac05c38eea11806b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159854&Signature=lEQHFF8FagheYrL5BVyeFulJasq8ho-CiTKuEtdMjH4txBSecXzAwga9hZo8Ns2LQAbXtxaGpYdTjvo5UI6aqt74HfN6BlQ4Y-u6Gmo~--0O1E4kRYH56Vw2ADCTi6KvBF2okE10XfKyZT~GE25vjWN8IP8JCNJj2iDFbDEf9dxTzVCxUKzhoKDbSHJQ9fB4hP8vDbe3SEGTGKQKB1QDjZI3hLHxPA5BtHcIf93CWGJGK9z22pMRBjq4qwbkGbwiLaZ-CVMGlvB-OwyVaRNxwtlqGJKXBjSE~w5DIP9FYadAXIB~dEfATyR6dLQUFN9s2L05l1evPNigP6FJJW6qZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Jersey Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to release A3169, an Assembly committee substitute that would allow veterans with service‑connected disabilities to receive a state property‑tax rebate proportional to their disability rating, capped at $5,000 and limited to veterans with gross income up to $200,000.

Supporters said the rebate would not reduce eligibility for the constitutional veterans property‑tax deduction or the constitutional senior and disabled citizens deduction, and that the rebate application would be included in the combined property‑tax relief application created under revisions to the Stay NJ program. \"This property tax rebate will allow many veterans to remain in their homes that they are in danger of losing,\" George R. Schnepp Jr., department adjutant for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) department of New Jersey, told the committee.

The measure drew multiple veterans' organization endorsements during public testimony. Gary Edward Meyer, representing the DAV Veterans Protection Team and a local judge advocate and benefits officer, said the bill \"can really change the quality of life and allow veterans to stay in the state because they really, really need assistance on any level.\" Assemblyman Brian Bergen, who testified in support and described himself as a combat veteran, said the measure could affect about 60,000 veterans in New Jersey and estimated a long‑term fiscal impact in the low hundreds of millions that he described as “debatable.”

Committee members who spoke during the roll call voiced unanimous support. Assemblyman Sawicki, Assemblyman Rump, Assemblywoman Kane, Assemblywoman McCoy and Assemblyman Bergen each said they would vote yes on release; Chairwoman Cleopatra Tucker announced the bill was released to the floor. The committee did not record a full named tally for members beyond those who spoke during roll call.

The bill's text, as described to the committee, would:
- Provide a property‑tax rebate proportional to a veteran's percentage of service‑connected disability;
- Cap the rebate at $5,000 per tax year;
- Restrict eligibility to filers with gross income up to $200,000;
- Preserve eligibility for constitutionally established property‑tax deductions for veterans, seniors, and disabled citizens; and
- Include the rebate application in the combined property‑tax relief application tied to the Stay NJ program.

Committee members and advocates urged the Assembly to move the bill quickly. Assemblyman Bergen said the bill already cleared a Senate committee and, if posted on the Assembly floor, could move toward final passage. The committee did not adopt amendments on the floor of the committee hearing, and members said they would continue caucusing to ensure final votes on the floor.

The bill will now go to the full Assembly for consideration. The committee did not set an implementation or effective date during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Monday, March 17, 2025 - 10:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to release A3169, an Assembly committee substitute that would allow veterans with service‑connected disabilities to receive a state property‑tax rebate proportional to their disability rating, capped at $5,000 and limited to veterans with gross income up to $200,000.","taxTitle","2025 Legislative Sessions, New Jersey","taxId",77696,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127276,"Lawmakers hear women veterans on healthcare gaps, suicide risk, rural access and federal policy changes",2338,2521475,4859900,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663841-45fdc092b1e5974db95ebdfc74b71446&start=2521&end=4859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663841-45fdc092b1e5974db95ebdfc74b71446/thumbnail_2521475.jpg","/articles/6127276/New-Jersey/Lawmakers-hear-women-veterans-on-healthcare-gaps-suicide-risk-rural-access-and-federal-policy-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127276-d0a2b068babfa6ec4b88adcd1a6bd811/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159854&Signature=J7nETpG06fNHMSteOpjUM4CM7iYdwKB52Xwdnbb2sz50xlk8vtCck9iZXIkk7aAROOKg1MHVULWQMMdfljQ476BaQqv6VYo0oPev6SgS1UV-49z~8nyshaBIYNwYbLtiZqfCdaZwsNqftKk3oEPGp~PvJazuEGo1hVp1j-BlM6FCIOa527vHP5A-4Co0i~BfAE~20pONyuKsJc3EnUGaPuxuKld4wYRRUPy9c-wg2xKt0-RhCOS5mdInro9cCU4N63Y9H673F2qS8pEpckDdAtgvmLAw8KOYyp-vURFCNKkH4mvXZBBRjkvFJU-EgxMgdf69hbjw6~sC-S0JYgCXhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee convened a hearing focused on the needs of women veterans, hearing testimony from veterans, service‑organization leaders and advocates who urged state action on gender‑specific health care, suicide prevention, rural access and protections for women veterans' history and benefits.

Brenda Sue Fulton, executive director of the Army Women's Foundation and a West Point graduate and former senior official at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, criticized recent federal personnel and policy changes that she said are erasing women from military history and undermining veterans' services. \"This is the most anti‑veteran administration in American history,\" Fulton said in testimony, urging state officials to defend women veterans' history and benefits.

Lucy DelGaudio, an equity initiative specialist with YWCA Northern New Jersey Operation Sisterhood, described the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to military readiness and post‑service outcomes, and urged the committee to support state and community programs that fill gaps left by shifting federal policies. She noted that women veterans number over 27,000 statewide and that women now represent a growing share of the veteran population.

Edna Arissel Long, department commander for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of New Jersey, and long‑service veterans such as Minnie Austin and other witnesses described experiences including military sexual trauma (MST), difficulties obtaining gender‑specific care, and the social stigma that can keep women from seeking help. Testimony from a DAV representative summarized recent findings in the DAV report \"Women Veterans, The Journey to Mental Wellness,\" citing higher suicide rates and elevated risks associated with menopause and reproductive mental health needs. \"Women veterans have been forced to fit in a healthcare system designed for men,\" the DAV representative said.

Witnesses urged state action including requiring community care providers to meet VA training and quality standards, updating state materials to reflect veterans' suicide hotlines (including the 988 change), improving access to gender‑specific mental health services, and addressing transportation and broadband gaps that affect rural veterans' access to care. Gary Meyer, a veteran who testified earlier on other matters, also asked the committee to revisit proposed legislation on expungement for veterans with PTSD and MST.

Committee members responded to the testimony with commitments to pursue follow‑up work. Chairwoman Cleopatra Tucker thanked witnesses, said the committee has an open‑door policy for veterans, and asked staff and members to continue conversations and pursue possible legislation and outreach. Assembly members in the hearing urged additional meetings, local outreach and consideration of the bills and policy changes raised during testimony.

No committee votes were taken on substantive legislation during the hearing portion; witnesses and committee members agreed to continue work on proposals raised in testimony.","Multiple veterans, advocates and service‑organization leaders testified to the Assembly committee about gender‑specific health needs, rising suicide risk among women veterans, barriers in rural areas, military sexual trauma, and concerns about recent federal reversals on diversity and inclusion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6127281,"Assembly committee approves resolution to designate May 18 as \"6 Triple 8 Day\" honoring African American WWII postal battalion",1188,1285835,2474015,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663841-45fdc092b1e5974db95ebdfc74b71446&start=1285&end=2474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663841-45fdc092b1e5974db95ebdfc74b71446/thumbnail_1285835.jpg","/articles/6127281/New-Jersey/Assembly-committee-approves-resolution-to-designate-May-18-as-6-Triple-8-Day-honoring-African-American-WWII-postal-battalion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127281-e61cae8ce4231c48bcd871c927ac66e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159854&Signature=A4BJa2AsYGW2IejobulL~XXRqTPD3Pk-tTwAWGxBwAyiKPG8d6oXSAyI5ERUQjl2y1NSKKFjbP0N-~dvSaAFkKys8pQOZYCVdxqQvsmEnpldIrdueWAWbPT3~EAjgvsBajSbcntH1ERX1KdzOPd7JeIaS6djgIoNecKBK-YgqVDYvsp7lnL~5HW8i1gC8fy3WzNQP05YqGecdvaEHJiKKtxuy03fWcbOabQts8ciHZLMKww~NHa~5bCDwI2HWjGqNaviU0fs88vHQYgnEuvfpSiZnLFP3-6Hp6dh2cpSyBEPc2f8leYDZF0NaEh33qh07~Y4PuQhWzF04tbxSicutA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee voted to release an Assembly committee substitute for AJR211, a joint resolution designating May 18 of each year as \"6 Triple 8 Day\" in New Jersey to honor the service of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, commonly referred to in testimony as the \"6 Triple 8.\"

Testimony described the battalion's work in 1945 to clear a massive backlog of mail for U.S. service members in the European theater. Dr. Karen T. Jordan, a historian and descendant of a 6 Triple 8 service member, told the committee the unit processed millions of pieces of mail in harsh conditions and completed a task the Army had expected to take six months in roughly three months. \"They were working 24 hours a day, seven days a week,\" Jordan said, recounting the battalion's work sorting and redirecting damaged and misaddressed mail to restore communication between troops and families.

Advocates asked the committee to approve the joint resolution to ensure the group's story is taught and commemorated in New Jersey. Testimony included local historians and representatives of veterans groups; Martha L. Pilashi of Allentown described Marion Van Orkey, a New Jersey native who served with the battalion and whose birthday is May 18.

During roll call the committee affirmed release of the substitute. Assemblyman Sawicki, Assemblyman Rump, Assemblywoman Kane, Assemblywoman McCoy and Chairwoman Tucker each recorded a yes vote when called; the committee released the substitute to the Assembly floor.

The resolution, as described to the committee, would make the designation identical to a Senate counterpart and formally recognize the contribution of the 6 Triple 8 in New Jersey's history. Supporters noted the battalion received a Congressional Gold Medal in 2022 and asked that state education officials consider including the unit's history in school curricula.

The substitute will proceed to the Assembly floor for further consideration.","The committee released an Assembly committee substitute of AJR211 to designate May 18 of each year as \"6 Triple 8 Day\" in New Jersey, honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and recognizing the service of African American women postal battalion members.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly committee advances proportional property-tax rebate for disabled veterans, caps rebate at $5,000

Lawmakers hear women veterans on healthcare gaps, suicide risk, rural access and federal policy changes

Assembly committee approves resolution to designate May 18 as "6 Triple 8 Day" honoring African American WWII postal battalion