4/7/2025
Well, the turmoil in Washington I noted last month has continued, if not increased. While all this is going on MOAA’s mission continues. MOAA’s Legislative team led this year’s Advocacy in Action 7-10 April and focused on important items for active-duty members, retirees, veterans and all their families. Hopefully, members of Congress and their staffs could take time to learn about the issues and support MOAA’s recommended positions. As always, you can learn about and advocate as well through the MOAA Legislative Action Center at https://moaa.quorum.us. It remains the easiest way for you to support veteran-related legislative action at the national level.
The Tennessee Veterans (TENVET) organization has been very active on Nashville’s Capitol Hill, especially in supporting House Bill HB0436 and Senate Bill SB0651. These bills seek to restore property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans who have been negatively affected tax-wise by the rapid increase in market values of their homes. As of this week, there had been no action to fund the $6 million needed to meet the requirements of the bill, but concerted efforts continue. Let’s hope these strong efforts reach a successful conclusion this year!
I want to thank all of you who have already paid their chapter dues for 2025 and encourage everyone else to re-up with the chapter! As previously noted, the Executive Board is working hard to be good stewards of your money and keep the dues and lunch costs where they are for the remainder of the year. As you may remember, your dues fund the annual operations of the chapter, including such things as postage and stamps, but it also includes necessary items like liability insurance, web hosting, and other administrative costs. We still find a way to contribute annually to local military-related charities and purchase medals and certificates for ROTC and JROTC leadership awardees. AND we do this without any fundraisers! If you haven’t paid your dues yet, you can still do so by mail at “MTC MOAA, P.O Box 50252, Nashville, TN 37205” or use the new Dues Portal on MOAA’s site at https://www.moaa.org/content/chapters-and-councils/online-chapter-dues-payment--administration/ and be sure to scroll down to “Tennessee” for “Middle Tennessee Chapter”. Of course, you can bring the $25 to our next luncheon on April 22nd as well.
We had a great speaker at our last luncheon: MG Tommy Baker, USA (ret.), Commissioner of the TN Department of Veterans Services, who updated us on all his department is doing across the state. DON’T’FORGET that we will meet this month at 11:30 am on Tuesday, April 22nd at Operation Stand Down Tennessee. Ms. Amy Bryant will provide us with important information on “Conservatorship in Tennessee.” See you then!
Larry Cotton
CAPT, US Navy (ret.)
President
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