January 25, 2008 10:15 AM
House passes tax form check-off to support strapped military families
On a 59-3 vote, the House reauthorized the income tax check-off that lets people donate to help military families pay for everything from child care to mortgage payments.
A bill to allow Coloradans to keep using a state income tax form check-off to donate to cash-strapped military families sailed through House passage this morning.
On a 59-3 vote, the House reauthorized the Military Family Relief Fund check-off that lets people donate to help military families pay for everything from child care to mortgage payments.
Without reauthorization, the law, originally passed in 2005, would expire.
Since it took effect in mid-2006, $436,000 has been donated and the military family fund is the tax form's second most popular contribution check-box.
The lone holdouts were Colorado Springs Republicans and Rep. Douglas Bruce and Rep. Kent Lambert and Rep. Paul Weissmann, a Louisville Democrat.
Like many lawmakers, opponents criticized that the state was have to doing what the federal government fails to – properly support American service people.
“I would characterize it as a bailout for federal failure,” said Bruce said during a committee hearing.
Even supporters like Rep. Mike Garcia, D-Aurora, said it’s a travesty that military service members risking their lives to protect Americans' freedom have to rely on a sort of “bake sale” for their families to survive.
--Alan Gathright
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