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Governor Gavin Newsom
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814

Assemblymember James Ramos has introduced AB 46, "Exemption of Military Retirement form State Income Taxes" and on behalf of the Alameda County Chapter of MOAA, we are asking for your support of this legislation.

We truly appreciate Assemblymember Ramos for recognizing the significant contributions our military retirees and their spouses provide to California's workforce development and the $168 billion dollars the Defense Industry brings to California each year. Governor Newsom, it is time that California joins the other 49 states that currently provide an exemption on military retirement from state income taxes by you supporting and passing AB 46.

Department of Defense Actuary Reports show that California had 165,502 retirees in 2010, and that number was reduced to 149,430 by 2020. That same DOD Actuary Report reveals a continuing decline in California's military retiree population, which as of 2021 has shrunk to 128,561. The decline in California's miliary retiree population has a negative impact on federal funds that flow into California. Both Arizona and Nevada have seen an increase in their state's military retiree population during this same period and federal funds follow the military retirees to these states. Failure to support AB 46 will likely continue this downward trend of military retirees leaving California and California losing federal monies.

Additionally, a 2021 study conducted by the California Research Bureau, California State Library on California Statewide National Security Economic Impacts states that California is home to the nation's largest concentration of military personnel and other national security activity. The study further states that in 2020 military and national security activities generated an estimated $168.7billon in economic activity, approximately 5.4% of California's economy.

Military retirees, with an average age of 42, who have spent the last 20 years serving our country as Medical Professionals, STEM roles, Life Sciences, National Security experts, Engineers, Aviation Maintenance, Space Force Professionals, Vocational Trades, and more provide the state with a valuable work force. Military retirees are ready from the first day of retirement to enter numerous professions in CA where there is a shortage of candidates. Studies conducted by the San Diego Military Council clearly show that these 2nd careers generate millions of dollars of additional revenue for local communities, counties and California from local taxes, sales taxes, and state taxes on the salaries of those 2nd careers. AB46 will keep these retirees in California.

Please support AB46!

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