Assemblyman Magnarelli continues to advocate in the Assembly for legislation that will benefit our veterans. He passed legislation that will help veterans in need of mental health and/or substance abuse services. This bill requires that the NYS Division of Veterans Affairs keep this information available on its website. He also passed legislation that protects military funerals from protestors, allowing localities to require permits for demonstrators, expanding the buffer zone around services and ensuring violators are punished.
Pension Buy-Back Credit for New York Veterans in State Service:
Assemblyman Magnarelli co-sponsored legislation that allows all military veterans in New York’s pension system to “buy-back” three years of credit in the pension system after five years of State service. Previously, this option was only available to certain combat veterans. 2016 (Chapter 41 of 2016)
Veterans sacrificed and served our country, it is our responsiblity to make sure they are able to receive the services they need through our community
Keep Veterans-Owned Business Act :
The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act sets a 6-percent participation goal in the awarding of state contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. New York is home to more than 900,000 veterans, 72 percent of whom have served during periods of conflict. Approximately 88,000 New Yorkers served in Afghanistan or Iraq. Additionally, the state is home to approximately 30,000 active duty military personnel, as well as 30,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel. In addition, 1 in 7 veterans are self-employed or small-business owners.
Assemblyman Magnarelli reinvigorated the Annual Veterans Parade in Onondaga County in 2008, after it had been all but forgotten. He has built support for the parade, which now has thousands of spectators watching more than 100 organizations put on an hour and a half long parade filled with performances, music and local veterans from all conflicts since WWII. And added an expo which includes more than 100 organizations and businesses to connect veterans with services in the community.
More information can be found at www.cnyveteransparade.org