Topline Connecticut Democrats are working hard to ensure that our 250,000 veterans and thousands of active-duty servicemembers have access to exceptional public benefits and services.
Jobs: In 2011, legislators passed and Governor Malloy signed into law legislation offering a three-year, $500-per-month tax credit for businesses that create new jobs and hire veterans to fill them.
The $500 tax credit is boosted to $900 if the person is a current armed forces member or one who was honorably discharged or released from active service.
In 2012, legislators passed and Governor Malloy signed legislation establishing the Unemployed Armed Forces Member Subsidized Training and Employment Program, the armed forces component of Governor Malloy’s 2011 Step Up job program.
The program provided $10 million to subsidize an unemployed veteran’s first 180 days on the job. STEP Up For Vets grants would completely subsidize the first 30 days of the employee’s wages.
This summer, Connecticut Democrats expanded the program to include veterans who had served at least 90 days and were honorably discharged.
Education: In May 2013, Connecticut Democrats established a task force to determine which training and experience obtained by veterans during their service in the armed forces equated to the training or experience necessary to obtain certain state licenses.
In September, Governor Malloy signed an executive order that requires state departments, boards and commissions to account for military skills training when crafting licensing and certifications procedures.
Rights and Protections: In spring 2013, legislators passed and Governor Malloy signed legislation that extended protections against workplace discrimination currently afforded to employees who are U.S. armed forces reservists or National Guard members to members of the state armed forces who take time from their employment to perform ordered military duty.
Also this spring, Connecticut Democrats restored state benefits for military veterans who were previously denied federal benefits based solely on his or her sexual orientation pursuant to the former federal policy prohibiting gays from serving in the armed forces.