Adler and Murphy announce bills to help veterans

by: Jason Springer

Wed Jun 24, 2009 at 11:00:00 AM EDT

Outside the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service & Education Center, Adler and Murphy released startling statistics, highlighting the rising number of unemployed veterans:

Young veterans - between the ages of 18 and 24 - face an unemployment rate of 14.1 percent. That is 50 percent higher than the national unemployment rate.

In 2001, 176,000 service members were discharged from the military. This year, that number is expected to skyrocket to 278,100. That means in 2009 alone, there will be 100,000 more veterans entering civilian life.

Those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces since 2001 suffer an unemployment rate of 7.3 percent, meaning they are almost twice as other veterans to face unemployment.

Nationwide, the unemployment rate for veterans is 4.6 percent. In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the unemployment rate reflects the national numbers holding at 4.3 percent and 4.4 percent respectively.

Tax Credit for Small Business

A provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act expanded the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to cover recent veterans who have become unemployed. In return for hiring unemployed veterans that separated from the military in the past five years, businesses receive a $2,400 tax credit.

Federal Contract for Veteran Owned Small Business

Legislation introduced by Rep. Adler, and supported by Rep. Murphy would increase opportunities available to veteran owned small businesses. The bill would help veterans obtain contracts and subcontracts from the Department of Veterans Affairs and all federal agencies.

Education Opportunities for Veterans

On May 21, the groundbreaking G.I. Bill made a new generation of veterans eligible for increased education benefits. Military men and women can now apply for a significantly increased level of benefits to pay for the full cost of education at any publicly supported college or university.