Suffolk County has introduced legislation to expand property tax exemptions granted to Cold War veterans

Romaine Seeks To Expand Cold War Veterans Exemption

Riverhead - Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine has introduced legislation to expand property tax exemptions granted to Cold War veterans, their spouses, or their un-remarried surviving spouses.

Veterans who served on active duty for a period of more than 365 days in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991, were discharged or released under honorable conditions, and have been awarded the Cold War Recognition Certificate are eligible for a 15 percent exemption with a maximum of $54,000.

Cold War Veterans who received a "compensation rating" from the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense because of a service-connected disability will be eligible for a 50 percent exemption with a maximum of $180,000.

Under the current law the maximum exemption was $12,000 and $40,000, respectively.

Veterans who already receive a property tax exemption under another veterans program are not eligible for this exemption.

"Expanded property tax exemptions to our veterans is the least we can do for those who put their lives on the line defending our freedoms," said Romaine.

A public hearing on Legislator Romaine's bill will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2, at the Evans K. Griffing Building in Riverhead.