Oklahoma recently enacted a law to exempt all active duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve members from paying state income taxes. Oklahoma is now one of 16 states with an active-duty tax break. For more information, go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/news/2009/07/TaxBreak.

More than 500 private colleges signed on to the “Yellow Ribbon” agreements under the new Post 9/11 GI Bill benefit, making these higher priced schools more affordable to veterans who qualify for admission. Many big name schools nationwide have decided not to enter Yellow Ribbon deals or offer special discounts to veterans, at least for the 2009-2010 school year, citing the complexity of Yellow Ribbon and GI Bill rules, administrative challenges faced by the school trying to keep pace with VA’s “fast tracking” plan and the current economic crisis, as reasons for not signing. To learn more, go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/News/2009/07/YellowRibbon.

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) recently determined that an 18:1 pupil-to-teacher ratio (PTR) can be implemented in schools having the highest kindergarten enrollments for School Year 2009-2010. Principals indicated they have the facilities to accommodate that ratio. For more information, go to http://www.myarmyonesource.com/news/2009/07/PTR1 and http://www.myarmyonesource.com/news/2009/07/PTR2.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who has been a long-time Senate advocate of military voting reform, successfully incorporated several of his initiatives into legislation passed today out of the Senate Rules Committee. Sen. Cornyn strengthened the MOVE Act by adding two major pieces of legislation – one based on his Military Voting Protection (MVP) Act and another based on his Military Voters’ Equal Access to Registration (MVEAR) Act – to ensure that overseas troops are provided expedited delivery of their completed ballots and also given, along with their families, on-base voter assistance when they need it.  His efforts and leadership on the issue of military voting were also recognized by several of his Senate colleagues who are on the committee, including Rules Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer, Ranking Member Robert Bennett and Sen. Saxby Chambliss.

“Sadly, our troops and their family members face tremendous roadblocks when it comes to voting in U.S. elections, as formally documented in report after report. I am working with my Senate colleagues to tear down these barriers and ensure that every military service member and family member is able to participate in the democratic process and have his or her vote counted.

“It’s highly encouraging the committee has adopted the MOVE Act, which includes comprehensive military voting reforms, many of which I’ve been pushing in the U.S. Senate. We are now one step closer to enacting these important reforms into law and helping our troops get the assistance and resources they need to vote in U.S. elections,” Sen. Cornyn said.

The 2009 Scholarships for Military Children Program has awarded 625 scholarships worth $1,500 each to children across the United States and overseas.

Seven finalist families will be flown to Washington, DC to attend our 40th Anniversary Event where the Military Family of the Year will be named and awarded $1,000.

In addition to the average savings of 30 percent or more customers realize by shopping at the commissary, the Li’l Heroes Benefit Bulletin monthly e-newsletter will provide access to military-exclusive vendor Web pages offering special savings for readers.