Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) has signed on to legislation that would create a real estate tax exemption for severely disabled veterans whose disability arose from an injury suffered in the line of duty.

The exemption outlined in the bill, A74, which was introduced on January 8, would apply to both the disabled veteran and his or her spouse, as long as the disability is 100 percent service-connected, a category defined by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to reflect the severity of the injury. Veterans with this rating are unable to work and often cannot take care of themselves.

“We owe so much to those who have served our nation in the armed forces,” said Assemblyman Colton. “They have selflessly risked their lives for all of us, and it’s only fitting that we recognize the sacrifice of those who have been severely injured defending this country and its freedoms by easing their financial burden. Exempting them and their spouses from having to pay real estate taxes is one way we can do this, and I am proud to add my name as co-sponsor to legislation that would do so.”

The prime sponsor of the legislation is Assemblymember Stacey Pfeffer Amato. The prime sponsor of the companion legislation in the State Senate (S1183) is State Senator Joseph Addabbo, Jr.