In Virginia, the American Legion has 208 posts, and over 39,500 members. I am Bill Aramony, the American Legion's Virginia Legislative Chair and representative to the Joint Leadership Council. We need your help on HB1436, to exempt from tax some of the retirement income of military retirees and survivors who are under 55 years of age. I also know that many of you are a co-patron to HR1436. Thank you. Today, Virginia American Legion 17th District's Commander, Steve Hunter, also emailed several of you in Northern Virginia asking for support for this Bill. 17th District, alone, encompasses 17 American Legion Posts , with over 5,800 members. We ask for your strong support of this bill, so that it, ultimately, passes the House. We have many military retirees in Virginia, and retiring servicemembers, under age 55-years old. Those servicemembers and veterans who remain in Virginia give back to Virginia: They are employed, work civilian jobs, own property, and otherwise generate revenue, and pay taxes, as civilians. Veterans and service members, through the American Legion and individually, are involved in their community with legion youth and children’s programs, charities, and other community activities, giving back to Virginia. Exempting some of their military retirement income sends the message, to ALL servicemembers and veterans, not only retirees, that Virginia is the most veteran-friendly State. Please help keep our military servicemembers and veterans in Virginia. In God and Country

In Virginia, the American Legion has 208 posts, and over 39,500 members. I am Bill Aramony, the American Legion's Virginia Legislative Chair and representative to the Joint Leadership Council. We need your help on HB1436, to exempt from tax some of the retirement income of military retirees and survivors who are under 55 years of age. I also know that many of you are a co-patron to HR1436. Thank you. We ask for your strong support of this bill, so that it, ultimately, passes the House. We have many military retirees in Virginia, and retiring servicemembers, under age 55-years old. Those servicemembers and veterans who remain in Virginia give back to Virginia: They are employed, work civilian jobs, own property, and otherwise generate revenue, and pay taxes, as civilians. Veterans and service members, through the American Legion and individually, are involved in their community with legion youth and children’s programs, charities, and other community activities, giving back to Virginia. Exempting some of their military retirement income sends the message, to ALL servicemembers and veterans, not only retirees, that Virginia is the most veteran-friendly State. Please help keep our military servicemembers and veterans in Virginia. In God and Country

GOOD Afternoon, Chair Robinson & members of the Finance Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1436 & 2373. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA the last week for several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Robinson’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Connie Mason & LA Glen Leonard Gaines were very helpful during my visit. I also want to thank Del. McGuire, Wiley, Watts, Greenhaigh & Wyatt for being the Chief Patron on these Bills. Also, the many Patrons of these Bills. I will add a SPECIAL THANKS to Delegates Wiley & LaRock, both of which I know well & respect, for moving these important pieces of legislation thru the GA. The members of the Armed Forces, who will benefit from this legislation, served our Nation for 20 or more years and earned a modest retirement pension. During these many years of service & sacrifice some have had an unfortunate circumstance that ended with them receiving a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. We, the citizens of Virginia, should not put a tax burden on the small pension they earned by serving the USA. This is a modest action that will keep a few more $$’s in the household budget of these veterans at a time when it is very much needed. It is a small nod of appreciation for their long service and physical sacrifice. We want all veterans to know that Virginia is the best place for them to call home. Additionally, our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we update & increase the small income tax subtraction that is currently in place. I ask you to move these two House Bills out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com

Comments Document

The American Legion asks to keep veterans in Virginia, and send the message this is the most veteran friendly state. 2019 Census numbers show that veterans have higher household incomes, higher salaries, and own property, all taxable. They have low unemployment. They have skills and security clearances sought by employers. They also give back to their community. The Virginia American Legion won the NATIONAL Legion Americanism award for Legion accomplishments in the community -- July 2021- June 2022 -- during COVID. We ask that you support the Delegates, Senators, and the Governor in their support of veterans and of survivors. We ask that you support each of the 2023 Joint Leadership Council Initiatives.

GOOD Morning, Chair Byron & members of the Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1436, 1460, 1470, 1690, 2373. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA the last several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Byron’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Gena Barker & LA Dexter Gaines were quite courteous and attentive during my visit. I also want to thank Del. McGuire, Wiley, Watts, Greenhaigh & Wyatt for being the Chief Patron on these Bills. Also, the many Patrons of these Bills. I will add a SPECIAL THANKS to Delegates Wiley & LaRock, both of which I know well & respect, for moving these important pieces of legislation thru the GA. The members of the Armed Forces, who will benefit from this legislation, served our Nation for 20 or more years and earned a modest retirement pension. During these many years of service & sacrifice some have had an unfortunate circumstance that ended with them receiving a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. We, the citizens of Virginia, should not put a tax burden on the small pension they earned by serving the USA. This is a modest action that will keep a few more $$’s in the household budget of these veterans at a time when it is very much needed. It is a small nod of appreciation for their long service and physical sacrifice. We want all veterans to know that Virginia is the best place for them to call home. Additionally, our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we update & increase the small income tax subtraction that is currently in place. I ask you to move all five of these House Bills out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com

GOOD Morning, Chair Byron & members of the Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1436, 1460, 1470, 1690, 2373. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA the last several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Byron’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Gena Barker & LA Dexter Gaines were quite courteous and attentive during my visit. I also want to thank Del. McGuire, Wiley, Watts, Greenhaigh & Wyatt for being the Chief Patron on these Bills. Also, the many Patrons of these Bills. I will add a SPECIAL THANKS to Delegates Wiley & LaRock, both of which I know well & respect, for moving these important pieces of legislation thru the GA. The members of the Armed Forces, who will benefit from this legislation, served our Nation for 20 or more years and earned a modest retirement pension. During these many years of service & sacrifice some have had an unfortunate circumstance that ended with them receiving a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. We, the citizens of Virginia, should not put a tax burden on the small pension they earned by serving the USA. This is a modest action that will keep a few more $$’s in the household budget of these veterans at a time when it is very much needed. It is a small nod of appreciation for their long service and physical sacrifice. We want all veterans to know that Virginia is the best place for them to call home. Additionally, our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we update & increase the small income tax subtraction that is currently in place. I ask you to move all five of these House Bills out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com

GOOD Morning, Chair Byron & members of the Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1460. I had the pleasure of visiting the GAB the last several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Byron’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Gena Barker & LA Dexter Gaines were quite courteous and attentive during my visit. I also want to thank Del. Wiley the Chief Patron and Del. LaRock a Patron, both of which I know well & respect, for moving this important legislation thru the GA. The members of the Armed Forces, who will benefit from this legislation, served our Nation for 20 or more years and earned a modest retirement pension. During these many years of service & sacrifice an unfortunate circumstance ended with them receiving a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. We, the citizens of Virginia, should not put a tax burden on the small pension they earned by serving the USA. This is a modest action that will keep a few more $$’s in the household budget of these veterans at a time when it is very much needed. It is a small nod of appreciation for their long service and physical sacrifice. We want all veterans to know that Virginia is the best place for them to call home. I ask you to move HB1460 out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com

GOOD Morning, Chair Byron & members of the Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1436, 1460, 1470, 1690, 2373. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA the last several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Byron’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Gena Barker & LA Dexter Gaines were quite courteous and attentive during my visit. I also want to thank Del. McGuire, Wiley, Watts, Greenhaigh & Wyatt for being the Chief Patron on these Bills. Also, the many Patrons of these Bills. I will add a SPECIAL THANKS to Delegates Wiley & LaRock, both of which I know well & respect, for moving these important pieces of legislation thru the GA. The members of the Armed Forces, who will benefit from this legislation, served our Nation for 20 or more years and earned a modest retirement pension. During these many years of service & sacrifice some have had an unfortunate circumstance that ended with them receiving a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. We, the citizens of Virginia, should not put a tax burden on the small pension they earned by serving the USA. This is a modest action that will keep a few more $$’s in the household budget of these veterans at a time when it is very much needed. It is a small nod of appreciation for their long service and physical sacrifice. We want all veterans to know that Virginia is the best place for them to call home. Additionally, our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we update & increase the small income tax subtraction that is currently in place. I ask you to move all five of these House Bills out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com

Friends of Accotink Creek strongly SUPPORTS HB 1510 authorizing localities to establish programs to grant tax incentives or provide regulatory flexibility to encourage the preservation, restoration, or development of urban green space (which includes street trees, city parks, sports fields, gardens, and greenways.) More green spaces in urban areas should be encouraged. They beautify neighborhoods, provide for recreation, moderate high temperatures, filter pollutants, reduce runoff and improve water quality. Access to urban green space improves our sense of well being. Greenways provide cyclists and walkers a means of safe and pleasant transport. No space is too small. How lovely to be surprised by pocket pollinator gardens in front of stores or at the base of a bare unsightly concrete wall! Please vote yes to Delegate Adam's bill!

I am submitting these comments on behalf of the City of Falls Church. The City is in support of local authority to implement such incentives programs. Preserving and developing urban green space is consistent with the Council vision and legislative program positions as it is vital for a community's mental and physical health, community building as well as achieving greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Thank you for your public service. Cindy Cindy Mester, Deputy City Manager cmester@fallschurchva.gov

I am asking you to vote in favor of HB1510, Delegate Adam’s bill that authorizes localities to establish tax incentives that will help preserve, restore and expand green spaces in our communities. As communities across Virginia continue to grow and more people move into urbanized areas, it’s important that we’re building in a responsible way that prioritizes green spaces. There are numerous benefits in having community gardens, parks, playgrounds and trees that improve our health and quality of life. Exposure to extreme heat not only causes heat-related illnesses and deaths, but is also associated with broad adverse health outcomes including mortality, hospitalizations, kidney disease, adverse birth outcomes, and others. Green spaces mitigate the effects of the urban heat island effect. Additionally, Additionally, well-placed trees can reduce residential heating and cooling costs by up to 30%, reducing the energy burden on our residents. Incentive programs are a way for developers to incorporate green infrastructure that can have large-scale impacts to improve walkability, cool neighborhoods and provide stormwater controls. Plus, designs that center on nature improve people's mental health and attract more business. Authorizing localities to create these programs, is a win-win for people and businesses. Please pass HB1510 to enhance the authority of local governments to manage land use decisions for the benefit of their communities.

I encourage you to fully support HB1510 as it will drastically help us continue our work in making parts of our city that don’t have much access to public green spaces more accessible. Access to green spaces is vital to health and wellness in our communities as well as helps with storm water mitigation! Please support! Thank you Dawn Adams for sponsoring this much needed help to localities.

I’m a huge proponent of this bill. Urban green spaces would increase the livability of the city making it a happier and healthier environment. It would also aid in creating a more habitable city especially with its affects to cool down areas in the summer.

I support this bill. Recognizing all the benefits of urban green space, from cleaning the air to providing natural air-conditioning, it is essential that the authority be granted to localities to incentivize the preservation, restoration, or development of urban green space. I am pleased to see many patrons of this bill and would only wish that it goes further to prioritize the preservation of mature trees.

Urban Green Space's would be beneficial for all things living into the city from soil microorganisms to human inhabitants.

GOOD Morning, Chair Byron & members of the Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1436, 1460, 1470, 1690, 2373. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA the last several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Byron’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Gena Barker & LA Dexter Gaines were quite courteous and attentive during my visit. I also want to thank Del. McGuire, Wiley, Watts, Greenhaigh & Wyatt for being the Chief Patron on these Bills. Also, the many Patrons of these Bills. I will add a SPECIAL THANKS to Delegates Wiley & LaRock, both of which I know well & respect, for moving these important pieces of legislation thru the GA. The members of the Armed Forces, who will benefit from this legislation, served our Nation for 20 or more years and earned a modest retirement pension. During these many years of service & sacrifice some have had an unfortunate circumstance that ended with them receiving a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. We, the citizens of Virginia, should not put a tax burden on the small pension they earned by serving the USA. This is a modest action that will keep a few more $$’s in the household budget of these veterans at a time when it is very much needed. It is a small nod of appreciation for their long service and physical sacrifice. We want all veterans to know that Virginia is the best place for them to call home. Additionally, our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we update & increase the small income tax subtraction that is currently in place. I ask you to move all five of these House Bills out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to submit my testimony in support of HB1975. Virginia provides tax relief to the pensions of veterans because of their service and the risks to their lives and wellbeing from that service. Foreign Service retirees deserve the same. We also served our country and also risked our lives in doing so. I served in the Foreign Service. My life was threatened during my first tour in the Dominican Republic because I carried out the legal responsibilities of my position. I was shot at during my second tour while visiting a border area in Somalia near Ethiopia as the security situation in Somalia rapidly deteriorated. I had to deal with threats of terrorism during the first Gulf War when I served in Spain. I was involved in the fight against Al Qaeda while serving in Manila. While much of that is probably still classified, aspects are in the public record. ("The Bojinka plot (Arabic: بوجينكا; Tagalog: Oplan Bojinka) was a large-scale, three-phase terrorist attack planned by Ramzi Yousef and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed for January 1995. They planned to assassinate Pope John Paul II; blow up 11 airliners in flight from Asia to the United States with the goal of killing approximately 4,000 passengers and shutting down air travel around the world; and crash a plane into the headquarters of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Fairfax County, Virginia. . . . Elements of the Bojinka plot (including the plan to crash a plane into the CIA headquarters) would be later used in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, six years later." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bojinka_plot) The U.S. Embassy in Montevideo closed to the public and staff had to work remotely during my tour there because of a credible terrorist threat against the embassy and U.S. embassies in nearby countries. Colleagues of mine recounted their experience when the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad was attacked by a mob in 1979 and how they had been in fear for their lives. ("On 21 November 1979, Pakistani people, enraged by a radio report claiming that the United States had bombed the Masjid al-Haram, Islam's holy site at Mecca, stormed the U.S. embassy in Islamabad, and burned it to the ground. The Grand Mosque had suffered a terrorist attack, but the U.S. was not involved. The U.S. diplomats survived by hiding in a reinforced area." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_U.S._embassy_burning_in_Islamabad) The U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya was attacked on September 11, 2012 and burnt to the ground, killing US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other employees. I could go on and on with similar cases. Aside from the ethical aspects of rewarding people who have served, there would also be a practical benefit to Virginia in doing so. Foreign Service retirees would be more likely to remain in Virginia after retirement as a result of such a benefit, adding to the tax base and helping local businesses that would serve them. Thank you again for allowing me to submit my testimony in support of HB1975. I would welcome the opportunity to answer any questions and/or provide further information.

Good afternoon, first and foremost the honor of defending the citizens of the Commonwealth does not come easy, manmade problems in conjunction with nature is unpredictable the Guard stands ready to respond at a moment's notice. They too have families and businesses to protect and aid. If the Commonwealth of Virginia wishes to show its appreciation for the job the Guard preforms in time of need, we humbly ask your approval of HB 2373. Thank you. Sha'ron D. Martin USN Retired

Good afternoon, first and foremost the honor of defending the citizens of the Commonwealth does not come easy, manmade problems in conjunction with nature is unpredictable and the National Guard stands ready to respond at a moment's notice. They too have families and businesses to protect and aid. If the Commonwealth of Virginia wishes to show its appreciation for the job the Guard preforms in time of need, we humbly ask your approval of HB 2373. Thank you.

GOOD Morning, Chair Terry L. Austin & members of the Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf of my brothers & sisters in arms on HB 2373. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA last week for several days as a member of the Virginia Department of Veteran Services-Joint Leadership Council (VDVS-JLC). I and several other council members called upon many offices of elected representatives to highlight & request support for several Veterans legislative initiatives. I would like to thank my local legislator, Del. Bill Wiley, one of the many members of the House Finance committee, who in bi-partisian fashion helped to move this important piece of legislation, on a vote of 22-0, forward thru the GA. Our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we provide them additional benefits to show our appreciation. This will help us retain current members and greatly assist in recruiting new members of the Virginia National Guard. I ask you to move HB 2373 out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee.

GOOD Afternoon, Chair Robinson & members of the Finance Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1436 & 2373. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA the last week for several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Robinson’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Connie Mason & LA Glen Leonard Gaines were very helpful during my visit. I also want to thank Del. McGuire, Wiley, Watts, Greenhaigh & Wyatt for being the Chief Patron on these Bills. Also, the many Patrons of these Bills. I will add a SPECIAL THANKS to Delegates Wiley & LaRock, both of which I know well & respect, for moving these important pieces of legislation thru the GA. The members of the Armed Forces, who will benefit from this legislation, served our Nation for 20 or more years and earned a modest retirement pension. During these many years of service & sacrifice some have had an unfortunate circumstance that ended with them receiving a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. We, the citizens of Virginia, should not put a tax burden on the small pension they earned by serving the USA. This is a modest action that will keep a few more $$’s in the household budget of these veterans at a time when it is very much needed. It is a small nod of appreciation for their long service and physical sacrifice. We want all veterans to know that Virginia is the best place for them to call home. Additionally, our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we update & increase the small income tax subtraction that is currently in place. I ask you to move these two House Bills out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com

In person

GOOD Morning, Chair Byron & members of the Committee: By way of introduction, I am Jay L. Marts, 28yr veteran of the VaARNG & US Army, retired Colonel, and honored to speak to this committee today on behalf my brothers & sisters in arms on HB1436, 1460, 1470, 1690, 2373. I had the pleasure of visiting the GA the last several days as a member of the VDVS-JLC and visited Del. Byron’s office to highlight & support several Veterans legislative initiatives. I wanted to tell you that AA Gena Barker & LA Dexter Gaines were quite courteous and attentive during my visit. I also want to thank Del. McGuire, Wiley, Watts, Greenhaigh & Wyatt for being the Chief Patron on these Bills. Also, the many Patrons of these Bills. I will add a SPECIAL THANKS to Delegates Wiley & LaRock, both of which I know well & respect, for moving these important pieces of legislation thru the GA. The members of the Armed Forces, who will benefit from this legislation, served our Nation for 20 or more years and earned a modest retirement pension. During these many years of service & sacrifice some have had an unfortunate circumstance that ended with them receiving a 100% service-connected, permanent, and total disability. We, the citizens of Virginia, should not put a tax burden on the small pension they earned by serving the USA. This is a modest action that will keep a few more $$’s in the household budget of these veterans at a time when it is very much needed. It is a small nod of appreciation for their long service and physical sacrifice. We want all veterans to know that Virginia is the best place for them to call home. Additionally, our current members of the National Guard, those local Citizen-Soldiers, serve the Commonwealth and local communities without hesitation when called upon. It is time we update & increase the small income tax subtraction that is currently in place. I ask you to move all five of these House Bills out of this committee, thru the floor & ultimately place it on the Governor’s desk for signature. Thank You again for the opportunity to address this committee. Jay L. Marts VDVS-JLC (Alt) AMVETS, Dept. of Virginia (540) 550-3339 MartsJL@GMail.com