Benton testifies in favor of his bill to make more disabled veterans and senior citizens eligible for property tax exemptions
“I hope you will see this as the noble cause that it is.”

February 8, 2008

OLYMPIA…The Senate Ways & Means Committee held a public hearing yesterday on Senate Bill 6880 sponsored by Sen. Don. Benton, R-Vancouver.

The measure would allow the deduction of certain costs associated with health care from allowable income for purposes of property tax exemptions and deferrals.

Current law allows deductions for prescription drugs and the cost of care for a spouse in a nursing home, boarding home or adult family home. 

Benton’s bill would add the following to the list of deductions before qualifying income is established:

• insurance premiums and co-payments for health care, vision care and dental care;

• durable medical equipment and mobility enhancing equipment; and

• insurance premiums for long-term care.

“I am very grateful to the committee for hearing my bill,” Benton said. “It’s a real gut issue for me. Veterans and older citizens that are on fixed incomes and spend a huge percentage of what they do have on medical expenses should not have to worry about being taxed out of their homes.” 

At the end of his testimony, Benton asked the committee to see his bill as a “noble cause.” 

“When you’re talking about veterans with a service-connected disability, you are talking about someone who has made a great sacrifice for our country. I think that is very noble,” Benton said.

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Additional Contact: Penny Drost (360) 786-7522 or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov