N.Y. urged to disburse $3M+ in untouched funds to assist veterans
Originally published in
Silive.com: N.Y. urged to disburse $3M+ in untouched funds to assist veterans
on
.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As thousands of veterans across New York continue to face various challenges and needs, more than $3 million in funding meant to assist them remains untouched by the state.
Last month, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released a report finding that more than $13 million in personal income tax check-offs, including more than $3 million earmarked for veteran programs, have not been disbursed by the state.
State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn), who serves as chair of the State Senate’s Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, is calling on the state’s Department of Veterans’ Service to promptly allocate the funds to help veterans in need.
“The state allocated these funds to support our veterans, and we need accountability and action to ensure our veterans receive the support they deserve,” she said.
The unused funds include roughly $1.5 million for the Veterans’ Remembrance and Cemetery Maintenance and Operation Fund, roughly $1.3 million for the Homeless Veterans Assistance Fund, roughly $360K for the Veterans Home Assistance Fund and roughly $230K for the Military Family Relief Fund.
“It’s unacceptable that over three million dollars in funding, including support for homeless veterans, has been left untouched. Our veterans can’t wait – and I will continue to push for transparency and oversight measures to guarantee that these allocated funds are promptly disbursed to provide essential assistance to those who have served our country with honor and bravery,” Scarcella-Spanton added.
As the chair of the State Senate’s Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, the senator helped pass 26 bills pertaining to former service members during her first year in office, including seven that were signed into law in November.