Veterans to Benefit from New Laws

Submitted article

As this legislative session came to a close, I’m pleased to report that the State Legislature passed a number of measures that will benefit veterans.  Here are a few of the measures the Legislature passed that will assist the men and women and their families who sacrificed much to keep the country’s freedoms safe.

Legislation (A11493) amends the real property tax law to allow the National Guard and Reservists to receive the Veterans Real Property Tax exemption even while serving.  Prior to this amendment, the exemption has only been applied for members who have returned and fully transitioned out of the military.  In this war, many reservists are being asked to stay for longer durations and often beyond the time they themselves expected.  For the first time since World War II, the manpower demands on the Armed Forces in the current and ongoing military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan has led to the activation of large numbers of National Guard and Reserve units for overseas duty.  Their service has been long, arduous, courageous and in many cases, dangerous.  This exemption will at least give those property owners and their families a slight tax break.

Another law (A11652) authorizes the development of a mentor-protégé veteran program.  This law directs all state government entities that contract more than $10 million per year to establish a Mentor-Protégé Veteran Program.  “Mentor” firms would be certified to assist veteran-owned “protégé” firms with training and technical assistance needed to make them ready to compete for state procurement contracts.  There are often several confusing steps that those who receive state contract bids understand that a fledgling business owner may be intimidated by.  This law passed both the Senate and the Assembly and awaits the Governor’s signature.

The thought behind this legislation is to encourage those who have returned from service to become entrepreneurs.  Many veterans return home and find themselves in need of education or a job.  This program will help these individuals use their talents and skills that they’ve developed in the military and transition back into their civilian lives to contribute to the economy.  A similar program is working well through the New York State Small Business Development Center for women and minority-owned businesses.  Similarly, beginning minority women entrepreneurs are paired up with an experienced mentor.  In conjunction with this new law, the state will conduct no less than four annual seminars at locations around the state designed to assist veterans with opportunities to participate in state contracting.  These sessions will offer training and instruction in the requirements vendors must meet in order to bid for state contracts.

Other laws passed this legislative session for veterans which await the Governor’s signature include:

· A11650 which establishes a veteran program consolidation council.  The council includes appointments from the four legislative leaders and directors of the Division of Veteran’s Affairs, Empire State Development, Department of Labor and the President of Civil Service as ex officio members.  The council is to study and make recommendations with respect to promoting the efficiency, cost effectiveness, oversight and outreach for veterans residing in New York.

· A11651 which directs the Division Directs of Veterans’ Affairs to perform a study to evaluate the number of military personnel expected to return to New York in the next two years. The study is also to evaluate the number of veterans that will be returning home with combat-related injuries and disabilities.  A comprehensive list of all applicable and relevant programs available at both the federal and state level to assist these veterans will be compiled, and the report is to be submitted by April 1, 2009.

I’m pleased to see these laws passed to benefit our young, returning veterans.  For questions about any of these new laws, call 1-888-VETS NYS or visit www.veterans.state.ny.us.  If you have any questions or comments or if you would like to be added to my mailing list or receive my newsletter, please contact my office by mail at 200 North Second Street, Fulton, New York 13069, by e-mail at [email protected] or by calling (315) 598-5185.

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