Bill to Extend Property Tax Exemption to Veterans' Wives Passed the MI Senate

A bill to extend Michigan’s property tax exemption for disabled veterans to their spouses cleared the Senate last week.

Currently disabled vets don’t have to pay property tax on their homes.

This bill would extend that exemption to the spouse of a deceased veteran as long as they stay in the home and are not remarried.

Bill sponsor, Senate Republican Dave Hildenbrand says the cost of the exemption, implemented two years ago, has been minimal to the state.

He says this change is the least they could do to support those who fought for our country.

But Senate Democrat Rebekah Warren says the bill would hurt local governments.

She says the state should reimburse local governments that loose five percent in tax collections.

Warren’s amendment to hold harmless local governments was not adopted.

The bill now heads to the House.