New Law to Help Veterans' Organizations Upgrade Facilities

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) and Assemblyman Pat Burke (D-Buffalo) announced that legislation they sponsored to help Erie County veterans’ organizations renovate and update their facilities was signed into law (Ch. 436 of 2019).

“This legislation helps support local American Legions, VFW Posts and other organizations that in turn provide support to our military veterans," Senator Gallivan said.  "Maintaining and improving these facilities can be costly, but by allowing Erie County to waive certain fees associated with such work, we can help ensure these organizations will not be forced to raise member dues in order to fund construction and building improvement projects.”

“Veterans have made innumerable sacrifices to uphold our freedoms,” Burke said. “The organizations that provide resources for our heroes often have limited funding to make upgrades.  That is why waiving the fees is so important.  It will help these groups ensure they have accessible and modern facilities to better serve our disabled and elderly vets.”

The legislation allows the Erie County Legislature to waive certain fees for capital improvements at posts and halls owned by veterans’ organizations, including building permit review fees.

The measure also helps several local veterans’ facilities become Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and cut capital project costs on installation of wheelchair ramps, elevators and accessible bathrooms.

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