MRVTF UPDATE

5 February 2009

On 14 January 2009 a letter was prepared and forwarded to Governor O’Malley and each of the Maryland Legislators. The purpose of the letter was to raise once again the issue of exempting military retired pay from Maryland income tax. Following the delivery of the letter to each legislator, a press conference was held by Ed Kreiner, Chair of the MRVTF, to announce the deliver of the letter and to bring the issue before the public early in the 2009 legislative session. A copy of the letter is attached.

On 22 January 2009 Ed Kreiner met with the Legislative Veterans Caucus. He used this opportunity to review the letter of 14 January 2009 and then to solicit their support for the various veteran related bills that will be acted upon during the current legislative session.

On 4 February 2009, members of the MRVTF appeared before the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee to testify in favor of SB112 and SB284 which address exemption of military retired pay from Maryland income tax.

A companion bill to SB 112/284 is currently being drafted and will be introduced in the near future by Delegate Mary Ann Love (D), District 32.

The MRVTF encourages all MOAA members in Maryland to contact their senator and delegates and urge them to support these bills.