Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) has stood with veterans since the governor and the Assembly Majority proposed gutting funding for the Joseph P. Dwyer Program and veterans benefits advising from their proposed budgets. This week, McDonough announced the state budget included funding of $4.1 million for the Dwyer Program as well as $5.1 million in funding for veterans benefits advising.

“Since the beginning of this budget process, I have highlighted the need to fully fund the Joseph P. Dwyer Program that serves veterans of Nassau County and veterans throughout New York. As a veteran, I will always stand with those who have fought for us,” McDonough said.

“Although I am relieved to see the budget include Dwyer Program funding, this should never have been a debate in the first place. It is has been amazing throughout this budget process to see the Majority obsessive about delivering for prison inmates and ex-convicts while hesitating over whether or not to invest in the health of our nation’s veterans,” McDonough added.

Nassau County will receive another $185,000 in funding from the Joseph P. Dwyer Program this year to provide peer-to-peer counseling for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). The veterans benefits counseling funding will be critical to continue providing resources to veterans on the various issues they face. Veterans who need assistance can go to the NYS Division of Veterans Affairs website to schedule an appointment with a veteran’s benefits advisor.