SERINO HAILS HUGE WIN FOR VETS

ALBANY, NY—Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park) today released the following statement regarding the signing of the veterans pension credit bill, of which she is a co-sponsor.

“This has been a long time coming for deserving veterans across New York and I commend Senator Larkin, Assemblywoman Paulin, and all of those who have fought tirelessly to ensure that this bill will finally become law. This legislation is not only about honoring the men and women whose selfless sacrifices have shaped our nation and our communities, it’s about encouraging them to return to New York and continue to build on their legacies of public service,” Senator Sue Serino. “It’s a win for our vets and it’s a win for the communities who will benefit directly from their drive to serve.”

The bill (S.7160/A.9531) extends the Military Service Credit Law of 2000 to all honorably discharged veterans who have served in the military allowing them to become eligible to buy additional pension credit after five years of service to the state, the goal being to encourage our veterans to return to New York to work as firefighters, police officers, teachers, and municipal and state employees.
 
Currently, the law only covers those who have served in specific conflicts, excluding far too many veterans whose contributions to our nation should not go unnoticed.  
 
The bill has been vetoed for the past two years by the Governor, but now that it has finally cleared his desk, it is slated to take effect immediately.

For information about cost and eligibility, please click here. 

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