AUGUSTA — The state’s top political leaders — including Maine’s Republican governor and Democratic speaker of the house — took time Tuesday to honor the state’s more than 140,000 military veterans.

House Speaker Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, pointed to recent law changes that are aimed at making veterans’ lives better in Maine.

Gov. Paul LePage spent Tuesday morning visiting veterans at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta with his wife, Ann LePage.

The governor delivered remarks to the veterans during a ceremony including music and speeches at about 10 a.m.

“Paul and I are humbled and honored to have the chance to thank these veterans,” Ann LePage said in a prepared statement Monday.

On Tuesday, Eves pointed to a handful of new laws passed by the Legislature over the past two years, including funding for a new court system that’s been set up for veterans in Augusta.

“Today, we take special pause to honor our veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice,” Eves said in a prepared statement.

“Our veterans keep our communities and our country safe abroad, and we must commit to care for them and their families when they return home,” Eves said.

The law changes he made note of included:

* Allowing veterans in-state tuition rates at Maine’s public universities and community colleges;

* A change that ensures Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can access modest property tax exemptions already granted to veterans of earlier wars;

* Allowing private employers to adopt a veterans preference in their hiring practices;

* A joint legislative resolution urging the federal government to compensate Maine National Guard veterans for Agent Orange exposure from training at the military base at Gagetown, New Brunswick.

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