Connecticut Veterans: Your Property Tax Relief Is at Risk
In May 2024, Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act 24‑46 (P.A. 24‑46) into law, a groundbreaking measure ensuring that 100% service-connected, permanently and totally disabled veterans—as well as certain surviving spouses—receive a full property tax exemption on their primary residence or one vehicle. It was a significant victory for Connecticut’s veteran community, reaffirming our state’s promise to honor and support those who sacrificed for our freedoms.
But that promise is now under threat.
What P.A. 24‑46 Guarantees
- Full property tax exemption on a primary residence or one vehicle
- Applies to veterans deemed 100% service-connected and permanently disabled
- Includes benefits for surviving spouses
- Retroactive for up to three years, allowing refunds or abatements
- Applies whether property is held directly or in a qualifying trust
This law was meant to deliver meaningful, direct relief to those who need it most.
The Threat: SB 1276’s Hidden Budget Language
In a troubling twist, provisions are being quietly inserted into the state budget via SB 1276—and they threaten to undermine P.A. 24‑46 without public debate or scrutiny.
By embedding contradicting terms in the budget, this maneuver could override the protections of P.A. 24‑46 and severely limit or nullify its benefits. Since the state budget takes precedence, this back-door tactic circumvents transparency and betrays the spirit of the law veterans fought so hard to secure.
A Veteran’s Urgent Plea: Hans Lowell’s Call to Action
The following message was written by Connecticut veteran advocate Hans Lowell. We urge all veterans, families, and supporters to copy and send it immediately to Governor Lamont:
From Hans Lowell
If you have a moment:
Please copy and paste the following in an e-mail to Ned Lamont:Public Act 24‑46 is being snuck into SB1276’s provisions in the Budget. Please use your line-item veto to veto this.
The intent of Public Act 24‑46 will be undermined if this line provision goes through and will break your intent in signing P.A. 24‑46 into law. Have the integrity to stand behind what you passed and don’t allow a back-door budgetary process to undo the advances CT has made towards supporting Veterans and Families.
They raised their hands and served to “…Provide for the Common Defense” ensuring the rest of CT could “…secure the Blessings of Liberty.” Let’s take care of them now for doing that “…in Order to form a more perfect Union.”
You can e-mail him here:
👉 Email Governor Lamont
Why This Matters Now
- Without immediate action, the budget will pass with hidden language that overrides the law.
- Veterans and their families will lose exemptions they were promised.
- Trust in state leadership will be shattered if backroom politics defeat open legislation.
What You Can Do Today
✅ Email Governor Lamont using the link and message above.
✅ Credit Hans Lowell when you share the call to action—this grassroots effort came from the veteran community.
✅ Contact your legislators—especially those already speaking out, like:
- State Rep. Anne Dauphinais
- State Rep. Chris Stewart
- State Rep. Pat Boyd
- U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
- U.S. Senator Chris Murphy
✅ Share this information with your VFW, Legion, DAV, and veteran circles. The more noise, the better chance we have of stopping this.
Final Word
Connecticut made a promise to its veterans through P.A. 24‑46. That promise should not be erased in silence behind closed doors. Veterans served this country with honor, and this state owes them transparency, justice, and respect.
Protect the law. Protect the promise. Take action now.
