11 Point Plan

Make Helping Our Veterans A PRIORITY

I support House Bill 1, which proposes the establishment of a Delaware cabinet-level position for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Delaware Office of Veterans Services (OVS) is currently part of the Department of State and provides services to Veterans and their families. The proposed Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs would be a cabinet-level department that would oversee Veterans' services in the state and replace the current Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs (DCVA).

The department would be led by a cabinet-level secretary appointed by the governor. The Secretary would manage the department's operations, hire personnel, and establish divisions and offices. The department would administer the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund and operate Veterans' memorial cemeteries. It would coordinate veteran benefits and services across state agencies and represent the state on Veterans' issues.

Improve Delaware’s Military Pension Exemption

Right now, Delaware only exempts $2,000 for Veterans under 60 and $12,500 for those 60 and older. Neighboring states like Pennsylvania don’t tax military pensions at all.

As your State Senator, I will work to:

• Raise the Limit
  Increase the exemption to $20,000–$25,000 for older retirees and at least $10,000 for younger ones.
• Phase in a Full Exemption
  Instead of doing it all at once, gradually increase the exemption over a few years.
• Stay Competitive
  Maryland and Pennsylvania offer better deals. Matching them would help keep Veterans in Delaware.
• Reward Long Service
  Offer higher exemptions for retirees with 20+ years in the military.
• Make It Pay for Itself
  Veterans bring pensions, spending, and jobs. Keeping them here helps Delaware’s economy.

We need to do at least as much for our Veterans as Pennsylvania does for theirs: