Bipartisan group to Hochul: Release $3M withheld from N.Y. veterans

A bipartisan group of lawmakers Tuesday demanded Gov. Kathy Hochul release millions of dollars donated to New York veterans that continues to languish in state coffers. 

"Three-and-a-half million dollars might not sound like a lot in the context of this budget, but it's a lot to organizations that provide that support," said Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, who chairs the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee.

Scarcella-Spanton recently had a conversation about the issue with a representative from Hochul's office, who noted the recent hiring of additional staff to assist the state Department of Veterans Services. The senator said she hopes it will improve funding disbursement and oversight.

Unlike the late state budget, the donations are allocated funds the state already has, but will sit untouched until leaders take action.

"They need help with housing, they need help with job opportunities," Scarcella-Spanton said of New York veterans. "This money is sitting there right now that they should utilize, so we need to figure out a way to get that out the door. I know we can do it."

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