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November 2, 2009: Rodriguez hails passage of bill that helps military families |
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Rodriguez hails passage of bill that helps military families
Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez (TX-23) Monday hailed the passage of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which will ease the burden on military families who travel with an active servicemember to another state.
The bill, S 475, is the Senate version of an identical bill, HR 1182, which Congressman Rodriguez co-sponsored. The bill now goes to President Obama for signature.
“The passage of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act is a great step forward for many military families and their spouses,” said Congressman Ciro Rodriguez. “It eases the burden on the loyal spouses and families who support and travel with our men and women in uniform on orders to move to new states. I am proud to have co-sponsored the House version of this bill and look forward to its final passage with President Obama’s signature in the coming days.” The bill allows those who move to another state with their servicemember spouse to retain residency in a previous state, as long as the move stems from military orders. The bill has two key provisions that will be particularly helpful to military and their spouses: Tax Purposes – In the past, spouses of active duty military who move with the servicemember have had to pay property and income taxes in the new state of residence. That has been a significant burden in the case of the spouses of Texas servicemembers because Texas has no state income tax. This bill will allow a spouse to retain Texas residency, just like their military sponsors, and not be liable for state income taxes in the new location. Voting – Military spouses who move to another state can continue to vote in elections in their original “home state,” regardless of where they are physically located. The provision extends to elections for federal, state and local office.
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