| VOTE YES ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO HELP VETERANS WITH 100% SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY, Urges Local Military Association |
3 NOV UPDATE: Congratulations on successful passage of the Amendment. Please send a news release thanking voters, and quoting your local chapter president and/or Legislative Chair.
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Virginia chapters of MOAA are invited to use the news release template, by filling in chapter specifics in place of the green text areas, adding a chapter quote and photo, then sending to local newspapers (military and civilian) and other media in the local area. Chapters can completely write their own news release instead of using the template. The template is a tool meant to help get the word out about the vote and about your chapter's advocacy for Virginia veterans (as part of MOAA, and the Joint Leadership Council in Virginia).
Be sure to give a chapter Point of Contact (POC) for the news release that can be easily reached by the media when they receive the release. The template format is a Word document in an older version of Word, which should be readable by old and new Word software. The template text is also repeated later on this page (scroll down). Template was emailed to the chapters with identified public affairs (people to work withe the media) on 15 Sep 2010. Also to chapter presidents on 18 Sep 2010. Followups sent in October.
THIS IS #2 OF THREE AMMENDMENTS ON BALLOT!
DO NOT CONFUSE NUMBERS 1 & 2 WHICH ARE BOTH ABOUT REAL ESTATE TAX RELIEF.
See poster of all three in document library below.
/ Melva Mallison, Maj, USAF, Ret, VCOC 2nd VP and Public Affairs Officer
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| GCMC made this poster from the DVS flyer about the important vote on state constitutional ammendment 2 Nov 2010. photo by VCOC PAO at 16 Sep 2010 VCOC Legislative Committee Meeting |
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TEMPLATE
(replace or delete everything in GREEN with chapter-unique info before sending to local military and civilian newspapers as well as news stations. Be sure to delete this header too)
News Release – for local release
For Immediate Release Chapter Point of Contact (POC) Name Rank
Date Contact’s Title relative to chapter (such as President or PAO)
Contact Phone Number and Email
VOTE YES ON VIRGINIA CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO HELP VETERANS WITH 100% SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY, URGES LOCAL MILITARY ASSOCIATION
The name of chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) urges a yes vote on Nov 2nd for a constitutional amendment which will give real estate tax relief to 100% service-connected disabled veterans and their surviving spouses in Virginia. The change to Virginia’s constitution is required to create a special class of exemption. Note the exemption is for owner-occupied property that is the sole dwelling of the veteran, and only for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities. Surviving spouses of exempted veterans may claim the exemption as long as they do not remarry and continue to occupy the home as a principal residence. If passed, the exemption will take effect Jan 1, 2011.
The name of chapter (MOAA) has long advocated for this measure, along with MOAA’s Virginia Council of Chapters (VCOC), an active member of the Joint Leadership Council of Veterans Services Organizations (JLC). To get this important measure on the ballot for Virginia voters required the measure to pass the General Assembly by two separate votes, two separate General Assemblies. It passed unanimously in both the 2009 and 2010 sessions. Colonel Don Kaiserman, USA, Ret, VCOC Legislative Chair, and Vice Chair of the JLC, noted “the amendment has long been a key legislative issue of the JLC, which consists of 23 Veterans Services Organizations in the Commonwealth. Once passed by referendum vote on Nov 2nd, this legislative issue will become a state law.”
Said, name/title of a chapter leader (such as president or Legislative Chair), INSERT A QUOTE, such as “This amendment serves to help those Virginia veterans who sacrificed much with their service and those who need it the most.” Our 100% disabled veterans continue to suffer from disabilities incurred during military service to our Nation and the Commonwealth.
The exemption is not for the rich – it does not cover vacation homes and does not apply if the resident occupies multiple homes.
The Department of Veterans Services indicates there are about 7,400 Virginia-veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating. Some Virginia localities already give real estate tax exemption to disabled veterans and/or the elderly. This amendment creates a specific state-wide exemption. If you can find a local example of a person to be helped, and have their permission, use it here.
For more info, contact ________ Insert a Chapter POC and Contact phone number, email (or chapter website if addressed there) or you may go to the JLC portion of Virginia Department of Veterans Services Website http://www.dvs.virginia.gov/board-jlc.shtml see Flyer and FAQs at top right.
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PHOTO/CAPTION
Include a photo and caption of a chapter state legislative leader/happening (such as storming Richmond last January, announcing get out the vote at a chapter meeting, attending a VCOC meeting, visiting with a state legislator….) and credit the photographer.
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APPROVED VIRGINIA-WIDE, 2 NOV 2010
The change to the Virginia constitution as approved overwhelmingly on 2 November 2010 that allows the General Assembly to enact legislation authorizing real estate tax relief for those veterans who are 100% disabled is a wonderful tribute to those veterans who have sacrificed so much. This legislative victory is a result of powerful advocacy on the part of all 23 Veterans Service Organizations of the Joint Leadership Council. The Virginia Council of Chapters of MOAA has led the way among the veterans service organizations on this issue. Congratulations to the VCOC Legislative Committee and all chapters for their good work. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the Virginia General Assembly and to the people of Virginia. This is another step on our road to making Virginia the most veteran-friendly state in America.
/ Sam Wilder, COL, USA, Ret, VCOC MOAA President, 3 Nov 2010
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