Rep. Diana DiZoglio of Methuen.
A new Methuen city ordinance, exempting active military members from state motor vehicle excise taxes, has become the model for a proposed statewide measure on Beacon Hill.
State Rep. Diana DiZoglio, whose district includes parts of Haverhill, plans to file a bill to allow all active military members from Massachusetts the chance to apply for the exemption presently granted to disabled veterans and former prisoners of war. The Methuen proposal was first raised by City Councilor Thomas Ciulla. His proposal was recently passed unanimously by the Methuen council.
“In recent years, through the passage of such legislation as the Valor Act, we have made great strides in the legislature in improving services to our courageous veterans,” DiZoglio said. “We have for years provided disabled veterans and former prisoners of war with the ability to be exempted from motor vehicle excise taxes and I feel strongly that this opportunity should be expanded to all active duty military members during their service. I want to thank Councilor Ciulla for his tireless work in bringing this issue to the forefront.”
According to a spokesperson, Ciulla was inspired by a constituent, Diane Amato, who reached out to him about the challenges she and her daughter Alfina, who is serving in Afghanistan, have faced with excise taxes. “Even though Alfina is abroad serving the country and unable to use a vehicle stateside, she is charged with a motor vehicle excise tax.”
“We need to make the excise tax process easier for our veterans, who all too often are penalized while giving the ultimate sacrifice serving our nation,” said Ciulla. “It’s about time we protect our citizens who serve to protect us.”
It is not the first bill DiZoglio filed this year in regard to the motor vehicle excise tax. Another sponsored bill, House Bill 2484, an act relative to motor vehicle excises taxes, is designed to simplify the excise tax process and prevent multiple excise charges.
More military welfare
Cheap political stunt.more welfare
Sorry wrong quote, it should be:
“Handicapped veterans with a wartime service connected disability as determined by Veterans Affairs who have lost, or lost the permanent use of, one or both feet, one or both hands, or the sight of one or both eyes.”
http://www.mass.gov/dor/local-officials/municipal-finance-law/frequently-asked-questions-motor-vehicle-excise.html#q44
A little misleading not all disabled vets get the exemption.
“Handicapped non-veterans who have lost, or lost the permanent use of, both legs or both arms or the sight of both eyes; (the exemption for handicapped veterans and non-veterans applies to not more than one motor vehicle owned and registered for the personal non-commercial use of such veteran or person).”
http://www.mass.gov/dor/local-officials/municipal-finance-law/frequently-asked-questions-motor-vehicle-excise.html#q44