Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s Office
Senator Addabbo was part of a panel that convened last week at City & State’s “A Lifetime of Service: Honoring Veterans Who Make NY Better” event in Manhattan.
By Forum Staff
State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) recently heralded the “success” the Senate and Assembly had during this past session in Albany, with both houses passing seven bills focused on veterans’ needs. All of the measures are currently awaiting Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature to be made into law.
“In Albany, we put politics and party affiliations aside when it comes to veterans affairs,” Addabbo said as he sat on a panel last week at City & State’s “A Lifetime of Service: Honoring Veterans Who Make NY Better” event in Manhattan. “Being a Democrat or Republican doesn’t matter when you are crafting legislation to help the brave men and women who enter the Armed Forces, and together we have done some amazing things for our veterans.”
One of those seven bills, co-sponsored by Addabbo, would create a task force on veteran employment opportunities which would hold bi-annual public hearings and generate reports on recommendations and the development of methods to help veterans find and maintain employment as a way to combat the growing number of homeless veterans in the state. Addabbo also touted a measure that would establish the Hire-a-Vet Tax Credit program, which provides a tax credit for employers who hire veterans for at least 35 hours a week for at least one year.
“Although we have done a lot for our veterans, there is still more to be done,” said Addabbo, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. “There were several bills that were left on the floor of the Senate and Assembly during this session, and we need to come back next year and make sure more of these important pieces of legislation are made into law.”
More than $15 million of this fiscal year’s budget has been allocated to veterans’ issues, Addabbo noted, including $12.9 million for State Veterans Affairs, and $500,000 for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder research.
Addabbo also said that part of paying back vets for their service is making sure they are aware of all the benefits available to them throughout the Empire State.
“I believe that every day is Veterans Day and as elected officials it is our job to do more than just create programs th
at people can use,” the senator added. “We must make sure that those who can use these veterans programs know about them and have the access to benefit from the programs.”
