Col. Laughbaum joins Arizona CCs at bill signing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jim Fisher
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
PHOENIX --  Col. Kent Laughbaum, commander of Davis-Monthan's 355th Fighter Wing, was on hand at the capital Dec. 9, where lawmakers were taking steps to give military families a little relief. Governor Janet Napolitano invited the colonel, along with Arizona's other military commander, to witness the signing of house Bill 2784, which supports the Military Family Relief Fund.

The bill offers assistance to families of military members in several ways, including making contributions to the Military Family Relief Fund tax deductible. State Senate Minority Leader Marsha Arzberger authored the bill after hearing about the difficulties facing troops and their families.

"I heard so many stories, mostly from commanders, about their men that were wounded and then the difficulties that this put their families in," she said. "They had no funds to travel and there were other areas where they were in dire need. I think Arizona needed to do something for its soldiers."

Things done for military members by the bill are centered around the relief fund. Contributions to the fund are now tax deductible. Monies in the fund are now earmarked to provide assistance to family members of troops wounded or killed in the line of duty while deployed from an Arizona installation, according to the legislation.

There are also provisions for stipends for spouses to cover living expenses after the termination of military pay and benefits, and to cover expenses associated with living near Veterans Administration facilities while their spouses undergo medical treatment.
The bill further designates the transfer of $100,000 from the state General Fund in fiscal year 2007-2008 to the relief fund.

These new provisions for military family members are appreciated and very appropriate, according to Colonel Laughbaum.

"When we consider the sacrifices made by our service members who deploy and operate in harm's way, we can't overlook the sacrifices made by their families. Without their support, we could not accomplish our missions at home or in the deployed environment. We're grateful that the state government recognizes these sacrifices and has taken steps to further support our military families," the colonel said.

The legislation mirrors similar measures implemented in other states, including the 2006 Illinois bill which let people designate a portion of the income tax returns to the state's family relief fund.

For information on receiving support through, or to make a contribution to Arizona's Military Family Relief Fund, visit: [waiting for info], or call the Airmen Family Readiness Center at 228-5690.