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Legislation urges hiring of military veterans

State Sen. Michael P. Goggin introduced a bill last week that would allow tax credits for employers who hire military veterans.

S.F. No. 484 proposes to allow qualified employers a nonrefundable credit for each disabled veteran, unemployed veterans or 9/11 veterans employed by a qualified employer during a taxable year in the following amounts:

• 10 percent of the wages paid to a qualified employee who is a disabled veteran, up to $3,000

• 10 percent of the wages paid to a qualified employee who is an unemployed veteran, up to $1,500

• 10 percent of the wages paid to a qualified employee who is a 9/11 veteran, up to $500.

According to the legislation, a qualified employer is allowed only one of the above credits for hiring a disabled veteran, unemployed veterans or 9/11 veterans as a qualified employee. The employer may not take the credit if the employer previously employed the disabled veteran, unemployed veterans or veteran.

The Independent supports such legislation. Veterans need the help.

It’s true that military veterans make up only 7 percent of the state’s population. That’s according to a 2014 Minnesota Public Radio news report. It also states the unemployment rate for veterans in Minnesota was 4.8 percent in 2014, which is just slightly higher than the state average.

But we agree with a comment made by Gov. Mark Dayton to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press in 2013.

“After their service to our country, especially in Iraq, Afghanistan, any unemployed veteran is one too many,” he said.

Dayton urged employers to hire veterans. And this legislation has potential to spur employers to do just that.

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