Pennsylvania is home to more than 1.5 million veterans – roughly 10 percent of the state's population. Pennsylvanians have answered the call to defend freedom and Senate Republicans are committed to supporting them. 

Senate Republicans worked to enact an array of measures, including those to expand property tax exemptions for disabled veterans, create the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, and extend medical insurance for servicemen and women. The Senate also acted to protect education assistance for National Guard members and provide free education for families of fallen soldiers. 

This year, the Senate has passed bills aimed at improving outreach and support programs, encouraging state agencies to contract with veteran-owned businesses, and making it easier for men and women of the armed forces to find work as commercial drivers in civilian life.

2008 Senate Budget Hearings

Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny) urged Department of State Secretary Pedro Cortes to work on simplifying the voting process for active military personnel.

Speaking to Pennsylvania Adjutant General Jessica Wright, Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) outlines the need for a cabinet-level position for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

• Military Family Relief Assistance Program Enacted
  The Senate approved a new program that assists Pennsylvania service members and their families who have immediate financial needs as a result of their military service.
  
  The Military Family Relief Assistance Program allows Pennsylvanians to use a check-off on their state tax returns to contribute to a fund that will help military families in need. The program provides grants of up to $2,500 to eligible Pennsylvania service members and their eligible family members. Act 40 of 2005 (Tax check-off), Act 65 of 2005 (program implementation)
   

• Extending Medical Insurance for Servicemen and Women
  The Senate approved a measure that extends the time that full-time students called to active military duty could be covered under their parents' medical insurance plans.
  
  Most health insurance policies allow parents to include coverage for their children until age 23 as long as they are full-time students.  However, some members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and Air Guard are being called out of the classroom and on to active duty for assignments that can last a year or longer.  The active duty time means that many will be unable to complete their studies before reaching age 23. Sponsored by Sen. Don White (R-Indiana), Senate Bill 869 requires insurance companies to allow families to let the coverage lapse while the student is on active duty and have it start back up when the student returns to school, with an extension in coverage equal to that of the term of duty. Act 83 of 2005
   

• Expanded Property Tax Exemptions for Disabled Veterans
  More of Pennsylvania's disabled veterans will be eligible for property tax exemptions under legislation signed into law.
  
  House Bill 2296 includes guidelines for determining need to extend current eligibility to a greater number of disabled veterans and ensure that applicants with the greatest financial need receive the benefit.
  House Bill 2296 was amended to include language from Senate Bill 19, legislation sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) to establish guidelines for determining financial need.  The bill also extended eligibility to disabled veterans who own their home with his or her spouse.  Under previous law, a disabled veteran would only be eligible if he or she was the sole owner of the property.  In addition, the legislation extended the time to review exemptions from two years to five years. Act 161 of 2006
  Information on Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption
   

• PA National Guard to Take Home More Pay
  A measure by the Senate will provide tax relief for members of the Pennsylvania National Guard.
  
  Senate Bill 1139, sponsored by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), will exempt from state income tax the pay of Pennsylvania National Guard members who are called to active state duty during an emergency. The exemption applies to service within or outside the Commonwealth.
  Previous law applied only to service outside Pennsylvania. The exemption will apply to tax years after December 31, 2006. Act 182 of 2006
   

• Senate Approves Free Education for Families of Fallen Military
  The Senate approved legislation that provides tuition credits to spouses and children of Pennsylvania National Guard members who die while on active military duty.
  
  Sponsored by Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee Chairman Don White (R-Indiana), Senate Bill 1043 benefits the spouses of deceased Pennsylvania National Guard members who are killed while serving on Federal or State active duty.  The measure will increase the current benefit for children from a 50-percent tuition credit to a 100-percent tuition credit, while creating a 100-percent tuition credit for spouses to attend any Pennsylvania State-owned college or university, or approved trade school. Act 105 of 2006
   

• Senate Acts to Protect Education Aid for Disabled Guard Members 
  The Senate passed legislation that preserved a valuable benefit for National Guard members disabled in the line of duty.
  
  Senate Bill 1081, sponsored by Sen. Bob Robbins (R-Mercer), ensures that disabled members of the Pennsylvania National Guard remain eligible for the Educational Assistance Program. The program offers Pennsylvanians a free, five-year college education in exchange for agreeing to serve in the National Guard for six years.  However, under previous law, Guard members who became disabled and could no longer serve were disqualified from the program. Act 44 of 2006
  
  Also:
   

  • Act 82 of 2005 -- Allowing National Guard members participating in the Educational Assistance Program additional time to complete their education if called to active state or federal duty.

  • Act 87 of 2006 – Increases maximum Educational Assistance Grants for part-time undergraduate students who are members of PA National Guard.
     

• Senate Passes Measure To Clarify Out-Of-State Guard Duty
  The Senate approved legislation to clarify when the governor can send Pennsylvania National Guard troops to help other states during emergencies.
  
  House Bill 2157 was approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, chaired by Sen. Don White (R-Indiana).  The measure amends state Military Affairs laws to codify the parameters of "active duty" when the Pennsylvania National Guard aids other states as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Previous law specified only "in-state" emergency response for active state duty for emergency, creating some confusion when the Pennsylvania Guard responded to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.  Act 24 of 2006
   

• Senate Approves Ballot Question for Persian Gulf Vet Fund
  The Senate approved legislation to put a question on the November 7 ballot asking voters whether to establish a state fund to compensate veterans of the Persian Gulf War for their service. The ballot question asked voters if the Commonwealth should borrow $20 million to create the fund for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served in the 1990-91 Persian Gulf Conflict while residents of Pennsylvania. (Voters approved the measure.) Act 29 of 2006
   

• Limits on Funeral Demonstrations Clears General Assembly
  Legislation sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny) and Sen. Bob Regola (R-Westmoreland) to limit the scope of demonstrations at funerals and memorial services was approved by the Senate.
  
  The lawmakers took action in response to incidents of pickets and abusive chants targeting Pennsylvania military funerals. The demonstrators have been targeting grieving family members with vulgar language and other harassments to protest social and political issues.
  Senate Bill 1150 requires demonstrators to remain 500 feet from any funeral, memorial service or memorial procession beginning one hour before and ending one hour after the event. Violators can be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor. Act 63 of 2006
  
  Other:
   

  • Act 60 of 2005 -- Clarifying that Pennsylvania National Guard members who are returning from active duty may not be penalized for renewing or reinstating vehicle insurance coverage.

  • Act 20 and 21 of 2005 -- Reduced-price Hunting and Fishing Licenses for veterans.

  • Act 62 of 2005 -- Providing an additional 15 days of annual paid leave for Pennsylvania National Guard members who are employed by the Commonwealth and its instrumentalities after returning from active duty.
     

    • Act 150 of 2006 -- Legislation sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre) ensures that Air National Guard members receive paid leave when they are called up for non-training active duty. It closes a loophole in a 2005 law designed to provide an additional 15 days of paid leave to all employees of the Commonwealth who are National Guard members and are called up for non-training active military duty. The loophole threatened to exclude members of the Air National Guard.
       

  • Act 22 of 2006 -- Providing a bonus to Pennsylvanians who are Merchant Marine veterans who served during World War II.

  • Act 59 of 2005 -- Increases the emergency responder (and National Guard) death benefit to $100,000 and includes a heart attack or stroke, which occurred within 24 hours of a physical training exercise or emergency response, as an eligible line-of-duty death for the purposes of the state death benefit program.