Bill Passes the NYS Senate to Save Veterans Organizations Crumbling Structures

Senator Phil Boyle’s Legislation to make Veterans Organizations eligible for grants to save deteriorating facilities passed the Senate today

Bay Shore, NY – Senator Phil Boyle’s Veterans legislation (S.1628) has passed the NYS Senate in a 62 to 1 vote. This bill will make veterans organizations eligible for monies appropriated to the state and municipal facilities program for the payment of capital costs.

“I am often hearing from veterans that their posts have leaky roofs and other needed repairs,” said Senator Phil Boyle. “It is our responsibility to ensure that they receive the necessary funding for capital improvements so that they can continue their important works.”

Boyle continued, “It is my hope that this bill will pass the Assembly by the conclusion of the 2015 legislative session so that we can get Veterans organizations the assistance they need as soon as possible. Our veterans have answered the call to help defend our freedoms. It is now dependent on us to assist them by passing this common sense legislation, and I call on the New York State Assembly to do so before our legislative session ends.”

Since the elimination of member initiative grants, veterans groups such as American Legion and VFW posts have had significant difficulty raising funds to provide needed maintenance to their facilities. These organizations receive support primarily through local fundraising efforts. This lack of financial support makes it very difficult to provide much needed outreach services to aging members and to those returning from tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. It continues to be a challenge to balance operating costs while attempting to raise the necessary funds for capital improvements on their facilities. 

As of September 2014, the US Department of Veteran Affairs estimates there are over 892,000 veterans in New York.  Many of these veterans actively participate and depend on their local American Legion, AmVets, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts and Marine Corps League posts among others. Veteran’s organizations serve active service members and veterans with numerous types of community outreach.

The state and municipal facilities program currently provides much needed capital funding to state and municipally owned properties including, but not limited to, school districts, public libraries and New York’s public and independent colleges and universities. With capital improvements, these veterans posts can continue providing valuable services to our brave men and women and their families who have served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces.