Hagan announces plan to encourage the hiring of veterans

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) announced plans to introduce legislation making tax credits for hiring veterans permanent.

Hagan said the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors is set to expire at the end of the year, which is why she wants to make the more than $5,000 employer tax credits permanent.

{mosads}“One of my top priorities is getting our veterans back to work,” Hagan said. “While we have seen the veteran’s unemployment situation improve over the last few years, the fact remains that far too many of our returning heroes are struggling to find work.”

Unemployment among Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans is 3 percent higher than the national average.

Businesses can receive a tax credit of up to $5,600 for hiring a long-term unemployed veteran and $9,600 for hiring a long-term unemployed veteran with a service-connected disability. Her bill — the Hire a Hero Act — would make these tax credits permanent and expand them to include current members of the National Guard.

“The Hire A Hero Act is a common-sense approach to getting our heroes back to work that should be a bipartisan priority for every member of Congress,” Hagan said.

North Carolina is home to Fort Bragg, one of the largest U.S. military bases, and has a high veteran population. Hagan is up for reelection in 2014.