In an effort to provide better services for our veterans and businesses, the New York State Legislature passed a measure authored by Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D- Bay Shore) that would make available a listing of businesses owned and operated by veterans, allowing the state to better aid veteran-owned small businesses. The bill has passed both houses and will be sent to the governor to be enacted into law (A.4487-A/S.656-A).

“It’s our duty to protect those who have selflessly fought to protect our country,” said Assemblyman Ramos. “This measure would help better recognize veteran-owned businesses so that we can provide them and their families with the help they deserve to succeed. We should take pride in their efforts to financially strengthen our communities and show the appreciation they deserve.”

Ramos’ bill would request that the Division of Veterans’ Affairs collect a list of small business owned and operated by veterans and a second list that would report those businesses owned by service-disabled veterans. This annual report would be delivered to the governor and the members of the Legislature.

Just last year, Assemblyman Ramos helped pass the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act that set a 6 percent participation goal in the awarding of state contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (Chap. 22 of 2014). This year, he’s fighting to ensure veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq receive their property tax exemption (A.2368).