Favorable
Committee: Ways & Means
HB 0713
The Maryland Catholic Conference (MCC) offers this testimony in support of House Bill 713. The Catholic Conference is the public policy representative of the three (arch)dioceses serving Maryland, which together encompass over one million Marylanders. Statewide, their parishes, schools, hospitals, and numerous charities combine to form our state’s second largest social service provider network, behind only our state government.
Current Maryland law affords its taxpaying residents a tax deduction on the first $12,500 of military retirement income for those under the age of 55 and a tax deduction on the first $20,000 of military retirement income for those over the age of 55. House Bill 713 would remove the age threshold entirely and provide a tax deduction on the first $20,000 of military retirement income for all of its residents receiving military retirement.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides, “Those who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces are servants of the security and freedom of nations. If they carry out their duty honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace.” (CCC 2310)
Those who currently or have previously served in all of our nation’s military often give great sacrifice in order to serve. Our freedoms, including the freedom to practice our respective faiths, are largely owed to those who have sacrificed in service to their country.
For this and many other reasons, it is good public policy for states to do what they can to support those citizens who have given so much. Due to the nature of military service, many members of the military are eligible to retire at a much earlier age than the general public. Inasmuch as this bill seeks to reflect that fact and provide the same benefit across the board to those who have served, it is good policy. For these reasons, we request a favorable report on House Bill 713.