Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Disabled veterans may soon be eligible for a property tax relief package on their private residences that could as much as 100% on their homes.
The proposal gained unanimous approval from the Erie County Legislature but for it to be effective virtually every taxing jurisdiction across the county must also back the plan.
So far, towns like Tonawanda and West Seneca, along with the City of Lackawanna have supported the proposal.
"Veterans, especially disabled veterans, deserve as much support as we can give them," said Legislator Frank Todaro. "We owe them that."
The proposal would offer a 100% property tax abatement for any disabled veteran. The proposal is similar to ones offered in other states like Louisiana and South Carolina.
"It really hits home that New York is ranked 38th in the country for helping disabled veterans," Todaro said.
Erie County has approximately 12,000 veterans and off that approximately 2,500 are listed as 100% disabled.
One of those is Air Force veteran Garret Sokolowski of Lancaster, who recently moved back to the area from Louisiana.
Sokolowski said he was shocked at how limited resources are available through New York when it comes to disabled veterans.
Sokolowski has become a champion for the local property tax exemption.
"By no means is this a 'woe is me' scenario," Sokolowski said. "Disabled vets don't have a voice in this matter, so I'm taking it up."
The unanimous, 11-0 vote, by the county lawmakers was uplifting, said Hamburg Councilman Dan Kozub and the town's Veteran's Committee liaison
Kozub, a former county lawmaker and Navy veteran, said he hopes other taxing jurisdictions follow suit.
"Sometimes it is heart wrenching to plead and beg for benefits that should be owed to you," Kozub said.
The Erie County Legislature backed 100% property tax relief for disabled veterans
The Erie County Legislature backed 100% property tax relief for disabled veterans
