Golden, Malliotakis Advocate Assistance for Returning Disabled Veterans Opening Businesses

Senator Martin Golden (R,C,I-Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C-Brooklyn/Staten Island) today were joined by local veterans outside the Ft. Hamilton Army base in Brooklyn advocating for the passage of Assembly bill A9228. At the press conference, Senator Golden announced he will be introducing the same legislation, known as the “Veteran Owned Business Enterprise Act” in the State Senate.

The legislation would provide the more than 120,863 disabled in New York, with the same benefits awarded through the women and minority-owned business program. The lawmakers stated that, given the program’s success and effectiveness for its current enrollees, such advantages would benefit our nation’s wounded heroes.

Senator Marty Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a member of the Senate Homeland Security, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, stated, "Each and every day, disabled veterans are returning from war and military operations around the world, with injuries that will forever affect their life. Many return home to the land they fought to protect with the dream of starting

their own business. They want to be the Soldier, turned entrepreneur, but there are many challenges to advance that goal. We must make passage of this legislation a priority to assist our American heroes."

“With nearly one million veterans calling New York home, state government has a solemn duty to take care of our wounded heroes when they return to the United States,” said Malliotakis. “This legislation will link disabled servicemen and women to all of the financial and operational resources available to benefit their ventures in business and improve the state’s economy while honoring our obligation to veterans. The Legislature cannot pass on an opportunity to strengthen our economy and do the right thing for our veterans who have risked their lives to defend our safety and freedoms.”

The purpose of the Division of Minority and Women’s Business Development is to promote equality of economic opportunities for Minority and Women Business Enterprises and to eliminate barriers to their participation in state contracts. Specifically, the Division implements Article 15-A of the Executive Law, which codifies the state policy of supporting participation of minorities and women in state contracts. The Division’s three key objectives are to certify participating businesses, encourage state agencies to engage in necessary contracts with participants, and help promote and develop the businesses. More information can be found at http://www.esd.ny.gov/MWBE/Data/MWBE_trifold_brochure_Final.pdf.