Addabbo Introduces Package of Bills for Veterans

New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. introduced a package of bills aimed at providing NY’s veterans with important financial and personal development benefits.

“This package of bills is a great way to give back to those who have selflessly served our country,” said Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr., a member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee. “Veterans often need a variety of services when they return home, but do not always know where to turn to find the array of programs that exist to help them.”

The package of bills under consideration in the Senate:

·         Requires the Empire State Development Corporation “Small Business Revolving Loan Fund” to target and market to veteran-owned enterprises and service disabled veteran-owned enterprises (S.2739);

·         Creates the option to contribute to the congressional chartered veterans’ service organizations and the Veterans Service Organizations Fund on the NYS personal, income tax returns (S.2740);

·         Requires state operated institutions, SUNY and senior colleges of CUNY, to recognize courses and award educational credits for courses that were part of a veterans ‘military training or service' if the courses meet the standards of the American Council on Education or equivalent standards for awarding academic credits (S.2741).

These bills would offer veterans well-deserved benefits. New York residents could have the option to check off a box on their income tax return electing to make a donation for groups providing veterans services. The Business Revolving Loan Fund, offered by the Empire State Development Corporation, would provide veteran-owned enterprises the same opportunities they currently direct toward minority and women-owned enterprises. Senate bill 2741 would give SUNY and CUNY the authority to grant college credits to service members in recognition of the hands-on training they receive while serving.

“All of these efforts on behalf of veterans are vital to ensuring that our servicemen and women have straightforward access to healthcare, employment, affordable loans, education and other available services,” Addabbo added. “By helping veterans and the organizations that serve them, we are able to thank our former servicemen and women in concrete and meaningful ways. I am hopeful the Senate will vote to pass these important initiatives.”