TRENTON, N.J. – In the past few years, New Jersey has honored its veterans with free beach access, hunting and fishing licenses, and hiring preferences for civil service jobs. A veteran lawmaker thinks it is time to quit what he calls the “soft-shoe” approach.
Assemblyman Brian Bergen, who was an Apache fighter pilot during Operation Iraqi Freedom, spent nine months searching across the country for the best pieces of legislation. He introduced a nine-bill package earlier this month he hopes will poise the state to again lead the way in taking care of its veteran population.
“These bills represent the very best ideas from around the country,” said Bergen (R-Morris). “It is time we make New Jersey the most desirable place for our heroes to come when they are finished serving our country.”
The package includes successful programs launched in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and West Virginia.
The Garden State is home to approximately 308,000 veterans, according to an analysis by the website 24/7 Wall St. But in the most densely populated state, they only account for 4.4 percent of the population, the second lowest percentage among the 50 states. The Veterans Administration predicts that number to drop sharply over the next three decades as many are moving to the West and South.
Bergen hopes to reverse that trend by attracting recently discharged military personnel with successful initiatives used in Indiana and Iowa.
He has proposed a “Bring Veterans to New Jersey” program (A5426), similar to an initiative launched in the Hoosier State two years ago. It would pay up to $5,000 in relocation expenses to veterans who accept a job offer and move to New Jersey. Another proposal (A5424), from the Hawkeye State, could award an additional $5,000 towards a down payment and closing cost for a new home in New Jersey.
Having started his own business after an eight-year military career, Bergen also authored legislation (A5427) to provide a one-time grant up to $10,000 to buy into an established franchise.
“We want veterans to come to New Jersey. We need them in our workforce and we want them to own businesses,” explained Bergen. “The more we do to incentivize them the better.”
Compensating veterans for the hardship of their service was another important aspect for the freshman lawmaker.
Inspired by a homestead exemption program in Illinois, Bergen proposed (A5429) giving service-disabled veterans a property tax discount that matches their disability rating. If a veteran is 70 percent disabled, they would only be responsible to pay 30 percent of their property tax bill. Currently in New Jersey, only veterans with a 100 percent disability can qualify for a property tax exemption.
Other bills would raise annual payments to seriously disabled veterans from $750 to $3,000, matching the rate in Delaware (A5425), and would create a military family relief fund, like in Arizona, to provide grants up to $2,500 to defray the costs of food, housing, health care, and other essential expenses for members of the U.S. Armed Forces or New Jersey National Guard and their families (A5423).
Bolstering educational opportunities is another important element for Bergen, a West Point graduate.
Based on the Illinois veteran grant program, he introduced legislation (A5422) providing free tuition at state colleges for state residents who serve at least one year of federal active duty. And for military heroes who earned a Medal of Honor or Purple Heart, state colleges would be required to waive the tuition and fees (A5430), mirroring a West Virginia tuition waiver.
For Bergen, instituting something meaningful is personal.
“Veterans gave us and our country their best, and they should get the best we can offer back,” concluded Bergen.
Senate counterparts of the bills were introduced by Sens. Mike Testa (R-Cape May) and Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) on Tuesday.
More New Jersey News
- Rainy Weekend in New Jersey: Here’s What’s Going On As the Weather ClearsWet weather may put a damper on outdoor plans, but there are still plenty of festivals, fairs, markets, and family-friendly events happening across New Jersey on Sunday. New Jersey – Rain is in the forecast across parts of the Garden State on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean the weekend has to be a washout. Whether … Read more
- New Jersey County Fair Season Is Here: A Regional Guide to Summer Fun Across the Garden StateFrom hot air balloons and demolition derbies to farm animals, fireworks, and carnival rides, county fair season is returning across New Jersey with something for every age. New Jersey’s county fair season is one of the state’s longest-running summer traditions, bringing together agriculture, live entertainment, midway rides, local food, and family-friendly attractions. Whether you’re looking … Read more
- Former Newark Code Enforcement Officer Pleads Guilty in Bribery Scheme Involving Local BusinessA former Newark code enforcement officer admitted soliciting a bribe from a local business in exchange for allowing it to reopen despite alleged code violations, state officials announced Friday. NEWARK, NJ – A former Newark code enforcement officer has pleaded guilty after prosecutors said she sought a bribe from a local business owner in exchange … Read more
- New Jersey State Police Honor Fallen Trooper’s Son at New Milford High School GraduationTroopers attended the graduation of Isaiah Cabrera to honor the memory of his late father, Trooper I Victor Cabrera Bonilla, who died in 2025 while serving with the New Jersey State Police. New Milford, NJ – Members of the New Jersey State Police attended the New Milford High School graduation ceremony earlier this month to … Read more
- Rainy Saturday at the Jersey Shore Expected to Give Way to Drier Weather SundayShowers and thunderstorms are expected across the Jersey Shore on Saturday before conditions improve Sunday with cloudy skies and cooler temperatures. Jersey Shore, NJ – A wet Saturday is in store for residents and visitors along the Jersey Shore, with showers and thunderstorms expected through much of the day before drier weather arrives on Sunday. … Read more