Robbins Joins Lawmakers in Unveiling Legislation to Help Servicemen and Women

Proposals address education, jobs, tax relief.

Click on photo to enlarge. Standing with Senator Robbins are Major Maureen H. Weigl, Plans/Action Manager for Military Personnel and Colonel Barry T. Lowen, PA National Guard Human Resources Officer.

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) joined several lawmakers today in unveiling a package of bills that would provide new benefits for Pennsylvania's soldiers and veterans.

The package includes two measures drafted by Senator Robbins. One would provide tax credits to employers who hire members of the National Guard or Reserves. The other would help state veterans' homes find more qualified nurses by providing education loan forgiveness to nurses who agree to work at such facilities.

"Our servicemen and women have been asked to do more and more in recent years, but the support they receive for their sacrifices has not kept up at the same pace," said Robbins, who served two tours of duty with the U.S. Army in Vietnam and is Vice Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. "This comprehensive package of assistance will not make their jobs any less dangerous, and it won't shorten an arduous tour of duty. But it will provide some practical help as they face their challenges as citizen-soldiers."

The package includes:

Senate Bill 880 -- Employer Tax Credit for Guard members.
Senate Bill 262 -- Education loan forgiveness for nurses at state veterans' homes.
Senate Bill 358 -- Allowing National Guard members participating in the Educational Assistance Program additional time to complete their education if called to active state or federal duty.
Senate Bill 682 – Providing preference to active duty soldiers for day care assistance.
Senate Bill 869 -- Extending eligibility for health coverage of deployed soldiers who are full time students and return to school following release from active duty.
Senate Bill 871 -- Exempting military personnel on duty outside the Commonwealth from occupational assessment, per capita, poll and similar taxes.

Senate Bill 880, sponsored by Robbins, would provide a one-time $1,000 business tax credit for hiring a member of the National Guard or Reserves, or for each current employee who re-enlists in the service.

"It is important that we provide for our citizen-soldiers by working with employers to encourage service in the National Guard and Reserves," Robbins said. "Serving in the military requires a commitment from soldiers, their families and from employers, so it is only fitting that we reward those businesses that support the troops and their service to our Commonwealth and our nation."

Senate Bill 262, also sponsored by Robbins, would provide newly hired nurses at Pennsylvania's veteran homes for with reimbursement equal to the cost of tuition at the State System of Higher Education. Nurses, in turn, would be required to work in a state veterans home for at least five years.

"It was an honor to serve in the military, and now it is an honor to work on behalf of those in uniform," said Robbins. "We can never repay them for the sacrifice and the risk, but we can do our best to help out where we can."

CONTACT: Nate Silcox (717) 787-1322