It started out as an interesting 2024.

The meeting in January was cancelled due to members for a variety of reasons could not be at the meeting. February continued the play when we had to go to a Zoom only meeting after the Veterans Park Visitor Center closed due to snow.

This month, a new wrinkle showed up. On Saturday, we have our Balloon Museum Tour, and it was just announced that there will be a memorial service for Dan Butcher, who was a veteran and long-time member of MCCA. We were asked if we could supply our color guard for the service of which I said no, but can make use of our flag set. I just did not have the heart to cancel or change yet another chapter event or meeting.

There are times that as an officer on the board, I have to make decisions that are not easy. I am always looking for what is best for the chapter. I felt it was important to do something other than what is perceived as “work”. Doing something fun is good for the health of our group.
As president, I represent you, the members of this chapter. Please reach out to me with comments, congrats, or concerns so we can have a dialog.

Excursion to the International Balloon Museum

In place of our normal meeting in March, our chapter had an outing to the Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. It gave us an opportunity to just be together and enjoy the day.

Tribute to Women in the Military

Steph Patten and Penn Baker staffed an information table at this year’s event on March 1. It was well attended, and we made several new connections from other groups.

New Mexico Legislative Session Short Has Ended

There are a number of bills that were introduced during this year’s session.

Three bills, HB 264, SB 56 and SB 125, sponsored by 7 legislators all focused on removing the 2026 sunset from the state income tax exemption for armed services retirement pay and extending the exemption to surviving spouses. For taxable year 2024 and thereafter, $30,000 may be claimed as an exemption. This exemption was included in the tax package (HB 252).

House Bill 298 and House Bill 240 called for appropriations to the Department of Veterans Services to carry out programs for veteran suicide prevention and veteran PTSD.

Please be aware of the November 2024 Election when we will have a chance to vote on a bill that allows the property tax exemption to go from the requirement of 100% rated disability down to 50% rated disability.