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“The men and women who have served or continue to serve our country are our everyday heroes and deserve all the accolades, opportunities, and benefits we can offer as a token of our immense appreciation,” Sen. Addabbo said.
By Forum Staff
The State Senate recently voted in favor of a package of five bills that will protect the well-being of veterans in New York, home to the fifth-largest veteran population in the country with nearly a million former service members calling the Empire State home, according to Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven).
These measures uphold and promote the best interests of those who have dedicated themselves to their country by improving the services and protections afforded to them, Addabbo added.
The legislation co-sponsored by Addabbo and passed by the Senate authorizes close friends or family members to fulfill veterans’ burial wishes at their behest; requires a study from SUNY and CUNY on the availability of campus resources for veterans; notifies local veteran agencies and organizations of a member’s return to provide expedient support; clarify the definition of “veteran” for tax purposes, and establish the Alex R. Jiménez New York State Military Immigrant Family Legacy Program.
The legislation passed by the Senate includes:
S.3586 – Establishing the Alex R. Jiménez Program: Establishes the Alex R. Jiménez New York State Military Immigrant Family Legacy Program.
S.5241 – Study on SUNY/CUNY Student-Veteran Services: Requires the State University of New York and the City University of New York to examine and conduct a study on the availability of campus services, programs, and resources for veteran students
S.5416 – Timely Issuance of Certificates of Honorable Separation: Relates to certificates of honorable separation from or service in the armed forces of the United States to ensure that local veterans’ service agencies are notified upon the return home of service men and women better connect services available to veterans.
S.5530 – Expanded Authorization for Veterans’ Wishes: Authorizes a veteran’s close friend or family member reasonably familiar with the veteran’s wishes to request the veteran be buried in a veterans’ cemetery.
S.5967 – Alternative Tax Exemption for Veterans: Clarifies the definition of a veteran to include career members of the armed forces for purposes of the veteran’s alternative tax exemption.
“I can’t say it often enough, “Every day is Veterans Day,” explained Addabbo. “The men and women who have served or continue to serve our country are our everyday heroes and deserve all the accolades, opportunities, and benefits we can offer as a token of our immense appreciation. I have many priorities in the district and Albany, with Veterans consistently on top of the list. It’s with great pride that I serve on the Senate’s Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs Committee and join my colleagues in approving legislation to enrich the lives of our Veterans,” Addabbo concluded.
Earlier in the 2023 legislative session, Addabbo helped pass two other veterans related bills, namely S2028, which establishes a real property tax exemption for the primary residence of a veteran with 100 percent service-connected disability and S1811 which allows for a 120-day warning period to veterans organizations to cure site violations.
The package of five bills is now under review and consideration in the Assembly.
