By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved an amendment filed by Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee chair Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) that would repeal a current law that restricts Gold Star spouses from receiving their annuity if they remarry. The amendment would also increase from $2,000 to $3,000 the annual annuity payment that Gold Star parents and spouses receive annually from the state.

“Not only has the annuity payment level not increased in 16 years, but our commonwealth still has laws on the books that cruelly prohibit spouses from receiving the annuity if they remarry,” said Velis. “Think about how archaic and unfair that is, that we would penalize husband and wives, who have lost their loved ones and sacrificed so much themselves, from trying to continue on with their lives.”