Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) joined Joseph Chenelly, AMVETS National Executive Director, Assemblyman Jake Ashby, Minority Ranker on the Veterans Affairs Committee, Assemblyman Ed Ra, Minority Ranker on the Ways and Means Committee and other members of the Assembly Minority Conference on Thursday morning calling for historic investments in New York veterans. The lawmakers are proposing a pandemic relief package for veterans that would invest $500 million in critical veterans’ services and organizations.

“There are no words we can say or actions we can take that would do justice to the brave men and women who have served our country. Here in Albany, we can and should show a united front providing adequate funding to our veterans. Our plan would include $250 million in operational funding from the COVID-19 Public Health Response Fund and $250 million in Capital funding from the State and Municipal Facilities (SAM) Program,” said Palmesano.

Operational investments would support the Dwyer Peer to Peer Program, the immigrant resettlement fund, the Alex R. Jimenez Program, veteran education programs, suicide prevention, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legions, PTSD treatment and research, County Veteran Departments and the NYS and NYC Division of Veterans’ Services. The capital investments would support veteran housing and veterans’ service organization facilities.

“I want to thank my colleagues Jake Ashby and Ed Ra for their leadership on this issue. Our Conference will continue to advocate for this vital funding to be included in the final 2022-23 State Budget. We are forever indebted to our veterans, our heroes, for their selfless service and sacrifice for all of us. We must make sure we are properly funding their critical support services and the organizations that serve them,” concluded Palmesano.