As a Marine veteran, Tanya Lakins believes Missouri should deliver real support—not just “thank you for your service.” That means property-tax relief for disabled veterans, strong Guard and Reserve family support, and access to mental health resources that meet veterans where they are.

This is an area where Missouri can unite: Missouri should honor their Veterans with benefits that are practical, accessible, and worthy of the sacrifice veterans and their families have made. Tanya will work across the aisle to deliver results that are measurable, fair, and focused on supporting those who served our country. Tanya will also fight predatory schemes that take advantage of veterans seeking the benefits they earned.  

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Tanya’s veterans agenda focuses on real-life needs:

1. Keep disabled veterans in their homes. Property taxes can push families out—especially those living on fixed incomes. Tanya supports expanding property-tax relief for disabled veterans and making it easier to claim.

2. Support Guard and Reserve families. When Guard members serve, their families shouldn’t face gaps in healthcare affordability or stability. Tanya supports stronger protections and practical premium support tools.

3. Prioritize mental health and suicide prevention. Veterans deserve timely access to counseling, peer support, and community-based resources—without stigma and without long waits.

4. Stop benefit scams and predatory service fees. No one should siphon off a veteran’s earned benefits through misleading contracts or excessive fees.

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Legislation Tanya would support

• Major Richard Star Act - placed in front of Congress at this time

• SB 974: expands Guard-related supports and strengthens regulation of paid veterans-benefits assistance.

• SJR 94: moves Missouri toward expanded disabled-veteran property tax relief (requires voter approval if advanced).

• SJR 46 / SJR 58 (prior stalled efforts): earlier attempts at disabled-veteran property tax relief that should be finished.

• HB 921 (stalled): proportional property tax relief tied to disability rating.

• SB 316 (stalled): restrict predatory fees and referral compensation in veterans-benefits matters.