Good evening. I trust you've had a pleasant weekend.
I should run a couple items past you. There will probably be some confusion about whether an act of the legislature or a constitutional amendment will be necessary for Gold Star Wives' property tax exemption in 2022.
UVC practice is to have a member organization (in this case, GSW) submit proposed state legislative objectives in June for a hoped-for unanimous vote by the coalition; putting it to the UVC or not remains strictly your call, of course.
I've prepared a draft bill and a draft amendment.. They are terribly amateurish and too long, but hopefully get my point across. Read, don't read, revise, dump'em as you wish. They shouldn't be submitted if in conflict with your objectives or other UVC agenda items.
As you asked, provisions are made for the Colorado National Guard survivors as well as spouses of military missing in action. The situation during Vietnam had many families in limbo, confused between survivor and active duty benefits for years. This isn't a situation likely to happen but...just in case.
Last, I redefined "veteran" to include those lost on active duty or missing in action.
The choice between amendment or legislation will be made by whichever house initiates action, and by Legislative Council Staff or by the Office of Legislative Legal Services. Fortunately, LCS did an analysis for Rep. Kipp back in 2019 that might help should you and UVC proceed.
For a member's suggestion of a legislative objective, UVC also requires a statement as to how the proposition helps veterans, and for both it is "Improve survivor benefits, promote stable home ownership, support the Colorado National Guard."
I copied you earlier on the American Legion resolution asking UVC to support GSW property tax exemption. It goes before the state Legion in late June. Nineteen posts have already given their unanimous support. Again, all efforts were directed only towards asking UVC to make it an objective for 2o22, and of course they can disregard if they wish.
There are a couple representatives and senators who are interested in GSW, and available for discussion once this session wraps up. I've never heard from David Ortiz but perhaps someone who knows him can reach out in June.
I've tried to follow the suggestions from your UVC lobbyists as well as input by the Guard, former UVC leaders, my own Gold Star Family members and some survivors from my own church here in Fort Collins. I'll leave the issue now for you to do whatever the Colorado Gold Star Wives chapters decide. God bless you all.
My very best regards,
Wes Carter
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