The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has given unanimous approval to a bill aimed at increasing pension payments for veterans who are blind or have lost limbs or are paralyzed due to their military service. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Dane Watro (R-Luzerne/Schuylkill), seeks to address the long-standing issue of stagnant pension payments for disabled veterans.
Rep. Watro emphasized the necessity of updating these payments, stating, “It’s been 26 years since these pension payments made by our Commonwealth were adjusted, and it’s long past due we make this change to support our disabled veterans.”
The proposed legislation aims to increase the monthly pension from $150 to $200. This adjustment is part of the programs offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Watro described the $50 monthly increase as “the first step in right-sizing these programs for the deserving veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country.”
Watro expressed gratitude towards his colleagues, saying, “I’d like to thank my colleagues, Rep. Dan Williams (D-Chester), Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) and Mark Gillen (R-Berks), for helping to get this bill through the House and to the Pennsylvania Senate. I hope the Senate acts quickly on this important legislation.”
