While the U.S. Senate and congressional elections have garnered most of the news headlines, Virginia voters will also see something else on the ballot when they go to the polls next week. It’s a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would enable local property tax relief for the surviving spouses of members of the military who were killed in action - a measure that sailed through the General Assembly without ANY “no” votes.
Voters approved a constitutional change four years ago to exempt veterans with a 100 percent, service-related disability and their spouses from property taxes. It was while he was helping a constituent that Delegate David Ramadan saw there’s no similar relief for surviving spouses of members of the armed forces who were killed in action. He proposed an amendment to allow a property tax exemption for a surviving spouse’s primary home.
“Since we already cover such a tax break for 100 percent disabled veterans, in my mind those who have given their life have given the ultimate sacrifice—the REAL 100 percent permanent disability. And, therefore, it’s only fair to include them and extend this exemption to them and their families.”
A few localities with a lot of military families were initially concerned about the fiscal impact. Ramadan said language was added to a companion law to make it optional for localities to grant the exemption.
“I would hope that all of them would do it. Again, this is a fairness issue, and this is the least that we can do to honor the fallen.”
The tax break would not apply if the surviving spouse remarries.
The ballot question/text of the proposed amendment.
