Guest Columnist
New York must recognize needs of vets
By George Winner

In the wake of this year's Memorial Day observance on May 26, state legislators returned to a Capitol awash with the sights and sounds of New York State veterans.

Scene 1: The New York State Council of Veterans Organizations, representing 35 veterans groups across New York, conducted a rally for improved health care, economic opportunities, and other benefits.

The council's president, Ed Bloch, told an Albany newspaper that the rally marked the first time in a long time that veterans have engaged in the political process in this fashion.

"I hope we will be able to say we are reuniting veterans groups around a formal agenda we all support," said Bloch.

Scene 2: The Senate gave final legislative approval to legislation allowing the state Department of Civil Service to reclassify, from competitive to noncompetitive, 200 additional entry-level positions throughout state government. This move, which is expected to be signed into law by Governor David Paterson, would increase the number of these jobs from 300 to 500, a level that hasn't been changed in two decades. These 500 jobs would be permitted to be filled only by veterans of the armed services, who served in a time of war, and would encompass duties able to be performed by disabled veterans. Purple Heart recipients would be given preference.

We anticipate this action will promote the appointment of veterans with disabilities and serve as an example to the private sector of how disabled veterans diversify and strengthen the work force.

The overriding goal is for disabled veterans to have jobs when they return from war.

Scene 3: The Senate also took additional steps to recognize veterans by approving legislation to enhance benefits and protections for New York's military personnel. Our actions included measures to provide better access to health and mental health services, employment opportunities, family support, and additional ways to commemorate and honor those who serve our state and nation.

Specific measures approved by the Senate, which require approval by the Assembly and Governor David Paterson before becoming law, included legislation to: • Allow members of the armed forces to take special military make-up civil service exams; • Authorize state and municipal employees to be paid for up to 45 days of military deployment each year, an increase from the current 30 days; • Ensure that a parent's military status won't affect his or her parental rights during custody proceedings; • Ensure veterans' representation on the Mental Health Services Council through the addition of two members, one from the Division of Veterans Affairs and one from the Division of Military and Naval Affairs; • Establish the Veterans Memorial Preservation Act to provide legal protections for the state's veterans war memorials to prevent this destruction, deconstruction, or alteration;

This year's state budget included $4.5 million to provide tuition assistance for veterans enrolled in an approved graduate, undergraduate, and vocational program. Veterans' tuition assistance was increased from $2,000 per year to $4,350, allowing veterans to attend a SUNY or CUNY school tuition-free. If a veteran chooses to attend a private school, they will receive the equivalent towards their education costs.

The writer represents the 53rd District in the New York Senate.