Press Release

For Immediate Release
June 29, 2005
Kansas City Star

New law helps military families

Relief Fund Creates Check-Off Box on State Tax Forms

ST. LOUIS, MO — A bill allowing Missourians to contribute to help families of military guard and reservists called to active duty was signed into law Tuesday.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder signed the bill at a ceremony here, substituting for Gov. Matt Blunt, who transferred gubernatorial powers while at a conference in Massachusetts. Blunt and Kinder are Republicans.

The law creates a checkoff box on state income tax forms. Missourians can give part of their tax refund, or other money, to help families of guard members and reservists from the state.

Kinder said corporations also could make donations, and he pledged to lead the effort to raise money to start the fund.

The law, effective Aug. 28, states that the contribution is for families of those called to duty as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. House sponsor Rep. Jack Jackson, a Wildwood Republican, said that definition includes the war in Iraq. President Bush has said the war is part of a greater conflict necessitated by the Sept. 11 attacks.

The adjutant general will give out grants from the fund, based on recommendations of a panel made up of representatives of the Missouri National Guard, an Army Reserve component and a representative of the Missouri Veterans Commission.

Jackson said it is awful for a military person in a combat zone to hear from home that a car payment was missed, or that a spouse did not have enough money to pay an unexpected doctor’s bill.

Jackson agreed military personnel are underpaid, an issue that he said needs to be addressed, but the new bill is aimed at those with significant struggles.

Missourians in need of immediate assistance can contact a program called Operation Outreach through the veterans commission.