Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C-East Aurora) is a sponsor of Assembly Bill 4313, which would allow military veterans to buy back as many as three years in the state pension system. This is currently only available to veterans of certain wars. Nearly identical legislation passed the State Senate yesterday, and a similar bill was vetoed by Gov. Cuomo last year after it passed the Assembly with 133 votes.

“This is a piece of legislation with over 100 sponsors in our house from both parties,” DiPietro said. “This is something the people believe in, and it’s something the governor should believe in. These are brave men and women who served our country and then came home and served the state. They deserve the opportunity to buy back their time. All veterans should be afforded this opportunity. Let’s expand this program and provide help to all of New York’s heroes on their road to retirement.”

Assembly Bill 4313 was sent to the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means for further action. In addition to the Veterans BuyBack Bill, DiPietro sponsors two bills which would create a “Campaign Medal for Service” for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars (A.3652 and A.3714, respectively). He sponsors A. 6132, which establishes State Veterans Cemeteries in communities that successfully complete all legal prerequisites in New York. This is an effort to better provide for the proper and respectful internment of veterans in areas not adequately served by national or local veterans’ cemeteries. DiPietro also sponsors A.6137, which would create a special fund for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The fund would cover certain treatments related to injuries not currently covered by insurance providers.