Senate Unanimously Approves Veteran Measures

During a legislative session at the State Capitol in Hartford today, the state Senate unanimously approved two bills cosponsored by state Senator Gayle Slossberg (D-Milford) designed to support veterans living in the state of Connecticut.

“Even in difficult financial times, the state can still take steps to make life a  little easier for those who have given so much and served so bravely to defend our freedom,” said Sen. Slossberg, who is a past co-chair and a current vice chair of the General Assembly’s Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

The first bill extends authorization for veterans’ automotive license plates to a member of the U.S. armed forces or their surviving spouse who requests it. Under current law, only veterans or their surviving spouses can qualify for special veterans’ license plates; the law authorizes a spouse or other immediate family member of a resident killed in action while on active duty to request a “Gold Star Family” plate.

The second specifies that the state Department of Veterans’ Affairs Board of Trustees may include members or representatives of veterans’ organizations that represent or serve disable veterans. The board consists of the department’s commissioner and 16 members who must be qualified in health care, business management, social services or law and who have demonstrated an interest in veterans’ concerns.

“This bill ensures that disabled veterans specifically have a place at the table,” said Senator Slossberg. “The feedback that advocates for disabled veterans can provide is essential as we try to meet the needs of former servicemen and women in Connecticut.”

The two bills—Senate Bill 367, An Act Concerning Motor Vehicle Number Plates for Active Members of the Armed Forces, and Senate Bill 368, An Act Concerning Representation on the Board of Trustees for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs—now move to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

The 2011 regular legislative session adjourns on June 8.