HB1158 SB0516/ CH0757 (P. Young / Lisanti) (2019)
Income Tax – Subtraction Modification – Retirement Income (The Jonathan Porto Act)
CPL. Jonathan Porto was a US Marine. He was killed in combat operations on March 14, 2010 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. After graduating from Parris Island with honors, he completed his Military Occupation School at Aberdeen Proving Ground where he met and married his wife Rachel, a native of Aberdeen. Jonathan and Rachel were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and lived in Aberdeen until his deployment with the 1st Battalion 6th Marines in December 2009. On January 15, 2019, Rachel gave birth to their daughter Ariana. Sadly, just two months later, Jonny was killed.
I met Rachel her, Mother Evelyn Jewell, at a Gold Star Memorial event. They thanked me for Sponsoring HB 127 (Military retirement) but scolded me for leaving out Gold Star families who currently pay federal and state taxes on their loved ones’ death benefits. I was horrified by the oversight. It was the first mention to me that Gold Star families pay taxes on death benefits. I was speechless; yet, I promised Evelyn and Rachel that Jonny would not be forgotten and neither would their family’s sacrifice. I pledged to fix our mistake and ensure that Gold Star families would always have my support. Upon returning to Annapolis, I drafted the bill and asked Delegate Young who was my co-sponsor on HB327 to lead it as he too was a Marine.
Our bill was named in Jonathan’s honor and all Gold Star families. Now, the State of Maryland honors military service by giving tax credits to those receiving death benefits in the same manner as those receiving a military retirement benefit. This act applies to all taxable years beginning after December 31, 2018. Now it’s time to fix the federal law which still taxes military death benefit.
HB327 / CH0572 (2018)
Income tax subtraction Modification – Military Retirement Income
Altering the subtraction modification under the State income tax for military retirement. Increasing the deduction from $5,000 – $15,000 and lowering the age of eligibility from 65 to 55 years. Effective June 30, 2019.
HB 1542/ CH0795 (2018)
Department of Commerce – Employment in the State’s Defense Industry Study
Requiring the Department of Commerce, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations to conduct a study on employment in the State’s defense industry to quantify the economic impact to the state and jobs available and the skills necessary to fill vacant positions. Study was due for completion by June 30, 2019. It was completed October 7, 2019. Here is a link to the study.
HB 970 (2018)
Harford County Aberdeen Proving Ground Discovery Preview Center – $250,000.00
Awards $250,000 as a grant to the Board of Directors of the Aberdeen Proving Ground Centennial Celebration Association, Inc. for the planning, design, and construction of the Aberdeen Proving Ground Discovery Preview Center, which is located near the APG gate. This innovative and interactive “Science Center” provides students in Harford County the opportunity to engage in activities that boost their interest in math and science while enhancing their knowledge of the many systems developed at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The USA’s leading scientists will be on hand to explain discoveries and how they have protected the armed forces and our nation and create a career path for our area students.
HB0873 / CH0240 (SB0138)
(2017)
Income Tax Credit – Security Clearances – Employer Costs – Extension
Individuals or corporations may claim a tax credit on Maryland State income tax for costs incurred to obtain federal security clearances, to rent specified facilities, and to construct or renovate sensitive compartmented information facilities.
HB1507 (2017)
National Center for Manufacturing Sciences- $100,000.00
Awards $100,000 for construction of the Agile Materials Manufacturing Processing Center at the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences located at the HEAT center in Aberdeen. The Center is a public / private partnership between the US Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, defense contractors, and the State of Maryland to serve as the national nerve center in the development of groundbreaking materials and manufacturing technology for aerospace/defense systems.
