The State Board of Veterans Affairs today named Senator Jabo Waggoner and Representative Marcel Black their “Legislators of the Year.”

Several veterans bills passed during the 2012 session including the “Heroes for Hire Act.” This bill provides a $1,000 additional tax credit to employers for hiring recently deployed, and now discharged, unemployed veterans. It also provides a $2,000 income tax credit to recently deployed, and now discharged, unemployed veterans who start their own businesses.

The Senate also passed a joint resolution proclaiming March 30th “Welcome Home Alabama Vietnam Veterans Day.”

Rep. Black sponsored a bill allowing veterans to have a special endorsement placed on their driver’s licenses. “This will allow our veterans to easily prove their status as veterans and obtain any benefits, discounts, rebates or other accommodations to which they are entitled,” said Rep. Black. “It is a way that the State can honor our veterans for what they do and have done for us all, and I am proud to have played a part in establishing this new law.”

“I am honored to accept this award and am always trying to look out for the brave men and women who make the ultimate sacrifice,” Senator Waggoner said. “Whether recognized or not, I will always strive to bring forward legislation that helps those that valiantly defend my freedoms.”

Sen. Waggoner and Rep. Black are pictured below along with Waggoner’s Director of Policy, Michael Ciamarra.