Anthony Hall, a visibly emotional Wilkes-Barre resident, spoke passionately before the Luzerne County Council, urging them to expand the property tax exemption program for honorably discharged military veterans who are permanently disabled due to their service.
Currently, this tax exemption only applies to veterans disabled during wartime. However, several neighboring counties have broadened their programs to include veterans disabled outside of war periods.
Hall shared his personal story, explaining he has rods in his leg and back and narrowly avoided losing a leg. “If you want to see the scars, I can show you,” he told the council during Tuesday’s work session.
Having previously received the exemption for his home in Georgia, Hall was upset to learn he was ineligible after moving to Wilkes-Barre about seven months ago to be closer to family.
Last year, former county veteran affairs director James Spagnola publicly supported expanding the exemption, pointing out the growing concern statewide about the unfair exclusion of veterans who are 100% disabled from service but did not serve during wartime.
Councilwoman LeeAnn McDermott added the proposal to Tuesday’s agenda after hearing about the issue from Hall. She noted that a formal vote would be required in a future council meeting to approve the change.
County Veteran Affairs Director Kevin Clocker estimated that 20 to 25 disabled veterans in Luzerne County, who were injured outside wartime, would qualify for the exemption.
Council members clarified they can only exempt the county portion of property taxes. School districts and municipalities would need to approve exemptions for their parts of the tax bill.
Using a rough estimate of $1,000 per veteran in county taxes and about 30 veterans qualifying now and in the future, McDermott projected the cost to the county would be around $30,000 per year.
Clocker said, “For what they’ve sacrificed, it’s a drop in the bucket,” referring to the veterans’ service.
He also pointed out that Luzerne County supports 21,000 veterans, and the number of exemption participants might rise as active-duty service members return disabled.
Councilman Kevin Lescavage called the proposal “a very worthy cause,” and Council Vice Chairman Brian Thornton expressed his support while emphasizing the need to prevent fraud.
The exemption would also apply to the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, as long as the spouse remains unmarried. Thornton raised concerns about who would be responsible for verifying disabilities, marriages, deaths, and property transfers, to avoid unauthorized continued exemptions after both the veteran and spouse have passed.
Clocker assured the council that his office reviews all cases carefully every five years and monitors the exemption thoroughly. They work closely with the county assessment office and maintain a detailed database to track veteran death benefits and exemptions.
County Chief Solicitor Harry W. Skene added that the program requires a 100% disability rating and income limits to qualify.
Clocker also noted that state and federal agencies review the applications, ensuring multiple levels of oversight.
Veteran and Councilman Chris Perry supported the expansion, calling it “a great idea.” He expressed confidence it would receive enough votes to pass.
Currently, about 763 veterans in Luzerne County receive the exemption because they served during wartime.
Hall closed by sharing the heavy sacrifices his family has made, including losing his son in military service in 2007. He warned that without this exemption, he may have to sell his home.
“I shouldn’t be going through what I’m going through because I got hurt in the service and never went to war,” Hall said.
