Dear MMC Member (and Friends of MMC),

We are making progress! Last week we sent over  260+ emails to members of the House Ways and Means Committee and our own Delegates and Senators. Thank you for your help! The only way that we are going to get our four priorities passed is to use our influence with our Legislators--why we are asking you to TAKE LEGISLATIVE ACTION.

The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee heard SB 553, the "Keep Our Heroes Home Act" on March 1st.  But, there has NOT been a report from the Committee, and "crossover", the day when the Chambers must swap bills (if they want passage) is coming up on March 20, 2023, so please send your emails TODAY!

Follow these steps.

1. Determine your representatives. Use this link; click on lookup and type in your address. RECORD THIS INFO...you'll continue to need this. Let your Organization's Director know so we can better target emails in the future.
2. Send the first email to YOUR Senator.
3. Insert the needed info at the [XXX-] and feel free to modify the email as needed. If your Senator isn't on the Committee ask him/her to support the bill when it comes up for vote. Remember to change the color back to black.
4. Use the 2nd email to send a separate email to Chair Guzzone, Vice Chair Rosapepe and the members on the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. Use the emails below. Send a separate email to each of them. Believe me....it makes a difference!
5. Copy MDMilCoalition@gmail.com (I'll be recording the number of letters by organization).

That's it! It's pretty simple and shouldn't take you more than a minute or so for each letter.

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#1 For Your Senator
******************
Dear Senator [xxx]
 
As a [Pick ONE: retired or former] member of the [branch of service], a member of [insert your organization and chapter] and YOUR CONSTITUENT, I write to urge your support and vote on SB 553, the “Keep Our Heroes Home Act”. This bill is THE TOP GOAL of the Maryland Military Coalition this session.

This legislation would increase the income tax subtraction for military retirees from $15K to $25K this year, and $40K next year. More importantly it removes the age restriction, making Maryland a more attractive state to retire in for those who are in their early 40s to early 50s.
 
The purpose of the bill is to keep IN Maryland highly trained and skilled leaders, who are retiring from the military. When they stay, they will become entrepreneurs who start small businesses that drive our economy; fill vacancies in the private sector (like the 20,000 cyber vacancies in and around Fort Meade that require a security clearance to fill); join the ranks of healthcare providers in Maryland, where we are experiencing critical shortages; or, take advantage of the Troops to Teachers program, helping with teacher shortages. These second career jobs, which often continue 20 or more years, are FULLY taxable. That means that the Governor's legislation could pay for itself when more military retirees stay in or even relocate back to Maryland.
 
[Insert anything personal here]
 
Governor Moore recognizes that Maryland needs to be more competitive with the 38 States that fully exempt taxing military pay with no age restrictions. We don’t need to continue to lose out on the contributions that this talented and attractive workforce can make as well as the $$$ they will spend in our local economies. We want to "Keep Our Heroes Home". Therefore, I urge your support of SB 553, and ask for your vote on this important issue when it comes to the floor.

Thank you for all you do for constituents in District [insert your district #].
 
Sincerely,
 
Name
Rank, Branch of Service
Life member/Member of XXX your [chapter] organization
Address
[Insert your District here]
                            *    *    *    *    *    *    *   *    *   *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *   *
#2 FOR MEMBERS OF THE SENATE BUDGET AND TAXATION COMMITTEE (Separate Letters)

Dear [PICK ONE: Chair Guzonne/ Vice-Chair Rosapepe/ Senator XXXXXX];

As a [Pick ONE: retired or former] member of the [branch of service], a member of [insert your organization and chapter] [if applicable, and a resident of your district], I write to urge your support as [Chair; Vice Chair; a member] of the Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee for the Governor's bill SB 553, the "Keep Our Heroes Home Act". This bill is the THE TOP GOAL of the Maryland Military Coalition this session.

This legislation would increase the income tax subtraction for military retirees from $15K to $25K this year, and $40K next year. More importantly it removes the age restriction, making Maryland a more attractive state to retire in for those who are in their early 40s to early 50s.  

The purpose of the bill is to keep IN Maryland highly trained and skilled leaders, who are retiring from the military. When they stay, they will become entrepreneurs who start small businesses that drive our economy; fill vacancies in the private sector (like the 20,000 cyber vacancies in and around Fort Meade that require a security clearance to fill); join the ranks of healthcare providers in Maryland, where we are experiencing critical shortages; or, take advantage of the Troops to Teachers program, helping with teacher shortages. These 2nd career jobs, which often continue 20 or more years, are FULLY taxable. That means that the Governor's legislation could pay for itself when more military retirees stay in or even relocate back to Maryland.

Governor Moore recognizes that Maryland needs to be more competitive with the 38 States that fully exempt taxing military pay with no age restrictions. We don’t need to continue to lose out on the contributions that this talented and attractive workforce can make as well as the $$$ they will spend in our local economies. We want to "Keep Our Heroes Home". The Governor's bill is a good first step.Therefore, I urge your support of Senate Bill 553, and ask for your vote  and a favorable report on this important issue.

Thank you [if applicable, for all you do for constituents in District and] for your [PICK ONE: leadership as Chair of/ Vice Chair of; service on] the Budget & Taxation Committee in the Senate.
 
Sincerely,
 
Your Name
Your Rank/ Service
Life Member/ Member of XXX your [chapter] organization
Your Address
Your District