In the coming years, our nation will see a lot of retiring military personnel. These Americans have skills that make them invaluable to Iowa businesses. Attracting them to our state will bring skilled workers who can help grow our economy.
In the Legislature, we have worked in a bipartisan way to make Iowa a national leader in state support for veterans, service members and their families. These efforts have helped Iowa become one of the first All★Vet States, along with Michigan and Tennessee. The initiative highlights the opportunities, services and support that states offer to attract military families.
This year, we continue to explore opportunities to enhance services at the state and county levels, help returning service members reenter civilian life, and encourage more veterans to make Iowa their home.
Here are three initiatives the Iowa Senate has approved so far this session to do just that:
• SF 303 will exempt all military retirement pay from Iowa individual income tax starting this year. All Iowa residents receiving a pension for service in the Armed Forces, the Reserve or National Guard will get this benefit. Those who are eligible have given 20 or more years of military service to the nation. That kind of commitment is good for the communities where they choose to live.
• SF 2242 expands eligibility and financing options for the state’s Military Homeownership Assistance Program. This program provides service members and veterans with a $5,000 grant that may be used toward the down payment and closing costs on a qualifying home purchase.
• SF 2321 sets response and reporting requirements for sexual abuse allegations involving members of the Iowa National Guard, makes the process simpler for victims and gives them more options. It prohibits a commander from interfering with a victim’s right to report an assault to civilian law enforcement, but those who do not wish to press charges may still choose to report to the commander. The Iowa National Guard already has trained female and male advocates to help victims of sexual assault.