Veterans Connection 3/26/2026

April 4th will be DAV Community Impact Day, where Disabled American Veterans (DAV) is looking for volunteers and donors to contribute to making a local impact.

Sinclair Broadcasting Group has partnered with DAV to make the day possible, pledging an initial $25,000 and using its local broadcast stations to solicit additional donations through its Sinclair Cares charity initiative. All donations up until April 4th will go toward supporting the DAV mission.

The Dayton DAV chapter (#9) works to provide support for local disabled veterans. Funds raised will also go toward their scholarship fund.

Proposed Legislation Would Eliminate Property Taxes for 100% Disabled Veterans

Ohio Senate Bill 92 would eliminate property taxes for veterans with a 100% disability rating, but according to an Op-Ed in the Dayton Daily News by Bernard Mutz (U.S. Air Force Major, retired), at this point the bill will not move forward in the Ohio Senate because it is stuck in committee. This means the Ohio Senate will not even have the opportunity to vote on the bill this session.

Several other states have passed bills either completely eliminating property taxes for 100% disabled veterans or providing some sort of property tax relief. Proponents, such as Senate Bill 92 sponsor Tom Patton, argue that it will significantly reduce financial difficulties that many 100% disabled veterans must contend with. Under the bill, local governments would also be reimbursed by the state so they do not lose tax revenue.

The bill is not without its critics, however. It has been pointed out that a homestead exemption for disabled veterans already exists in Ohio, but the existing law only exempts $52,300 of value from a home. Senate Bill 92 would provide a complete exemption, but with no income threshold for qualifying, extremely wealthy disabled veterans could avoid paying property taxes on lavish properties. This means the bill would disproportionately benefit wealthy veterans, which runs contrary to the original intention of the homestead exemption to benefit those in need.

At the moment, Senate Bill 92 does not look like it will make its way out of committee, but advocates of the bill are attempting to place pressure of Ways and Means Committee Chairman Louis Blessing to advance the bill for a vote.

A memorandum of understanding between VA and the Justice Department will give VA the legal authority to enter into state court guardianships or conservatorship proceedings for certain veterans unable to make their own health care decisions. The change will allow VA to appoint guardianships in cases where veterans lack family or legal representation to determine medical treatment.

VA argues that the change is necessary to help hundreds of veterans at VA facilities, many of whom are homeless or at risk of homelessness. According to VA Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz, the primary motivate for the change is finding ways to move certain veterans stuck at VA hospitals to more appropriate settings. 

Disability advocates, on the other hand, have expressed concern that the change could result in veterans unnecessarily having their rights stripped away. According to Carl Blake, CEO of Paralyzed Veterans of America, "Guardianship can severely—or permanently—restrict an individual's autonomy, civil liberties, and access to community-based supports."