James_Sept-Oct_2025_web - Flipbook - Page 33
ilitary veterans
have been at the
forefront of Georgia minds this
year on national,
statewide, and
local political levels. Georgia veterans, in fact, had a remarkable year
in the Peach State. From sweeping
tax cuts among other legislative
actions and Supreme Court victories to community-driven memorials, their service and sacrifice have
moved to the center of Georgia
politics and policy in every branch
of government.
Tax Relief Hits Home
Some good news came in May.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed a sweeping tax reform bill impacting over
100,000 military retirees in the
state that exempts up to $65,000 of
military retirement pay from Georgia’s income tax, regardless of age,
starting in the 2026 tax year.
House Bill 266— shepherded in
the Georgia Senate by state Sen.
Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, and
sponsored by state Rep. Steven
Sainz, R-St. Marys— made Georgia
a “leading destination for service
men and women as they transition from the military into civilian
life” by bringing their “talents and
experience to workplaces across
our state,” said Lt. Gov. Burt Jones,
whose campaign for Georgia’s next
governor is an anticipated fulcrum
for additional tax relief for everyone
in addition to increased opportunities for Georgia’s military and
veteran communities.
Supreme Court Victories
Moreover, a series of U.S.
Supreme Court decisions over the
past two years have delivered tangible benefits to Georgia veterans.
Rudisill v. McDonough (April
2024): A unanimous Supreme Court
affirmed that veterans eligible
under both Montgomery GI Bill and
Post-9/11 GI Bill provisions could
receive a combined maximum of
48 months of benefits, not just a
capped total. Up to 1.7 million veterans nationwide stand to gain from
this expanded support. Enabling
the “from combat to the classroom”
transition is expected to boost
attendance at Georgia universities
in the years ahead.
Soto v. United States (June
2025): Marine veteran Simon Soto
challenged the six-year limit traditionally imposed on retroactive
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) payments. Soto,
severely injured in combat, sought
benefits back to 2008, when
Congress expanded eligibility for
medical retirees. This unanimous
Supreme Court decision ruled that
CRSC legislation inherently bypasses the six-year statutory limit,
unlocking full retroactive compensation dating back to the 2008
enactment. Approximately 9,000
combat-disabled retirees, including
many Georgians, are now eligible
for significantly increased retroactive payments.
Collectively, these rulings signal
support for clearer, veteran-focused
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