03/02/2015 REFERRED TO FINANCE
05/19/2015 REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
A4313A (107 co-sponsors) identical text MINUS the funding appropriation.
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-04-22 | Assembly | reported referred to ways and means |
| 2015-03-09 | Assembly | print number 4313a |
| 2015-03-09 | Assembly | amend and recommit to governmental employees |
| 2015-01-30 | Assembly | referred to governmental employees |
My Comments:
If you are a veteran of Afghanistan, the Gulf War (Wartime) Era, or the Cold War Era this is the law you want. All previously and arbitrarily excluded veterans will be included under this law. Although the number of excluded veterans is very small, the bill is nonetheless important.
________________________________________________________________________________
A6453 (32 Co-Sponsors): Some Afghanistan Veterans Only
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-05-19 | Assembly | reported referred to ways and means |
| 2015-03-25 | Assembly | referred to governmental employees |
S4546 : Some Afghanistan Veterans Only (Companion Bill to A6453)
2015-03-26 - REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS
My Comment: If you were activated from the Guard or Reserves for service in Afghanistan while working as a New York State employee, this bill does NOT help you at all. Again, if you have three years of active service, go to work for NY, get mobilized to Afghanistan for one year, and return to NYS employment, ERS interpretation of the law forbids a purchase of any of your three active years and your year in Afghanistan is already credited.
This bill ONLY covers the select few whose Afghanistan service came before they became New York State Employees. Since many of those folks spent time in Kuwait or Iraq also, they are already covered under current law.
This law expands current law to include approximately 0 previously excluded Afghanistan veterans.
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Final Comment: An obvious compromise between the Republican - ruled Senate's "All Veterans" and the Democrat-ruled Assembly's "Afghanistan Only" bills is a "Wartime Era Bill".
This compromise bill would include all veterans who served (including Afghanistan veterans) during the most recent wartime era (Gulf War; 1990-Present) and at the same time align current practice with New York's tradition of permitting only wartime veterans to purchase military service credit. This is already the case with the WW II Wartime Era, the Korean Wartime Era, and the Vietnam Wartime Era.
Since New York grants additional credit on its civil service exams to wartime veterans only, a "Wartime Era Bill" aligns perfectly with that current New York practice.
Beyond the attributes of tradition and logical consistency, a compromise "Wartime Era Bill" would be cheaper than an "All Veterans Bill" and slightly more expensive than an "Afghanistan Only' bill.
Sounds like a good start. Have a question though. Does the assembly bill A4313a, and the senate bill S4124 have to be identical. Only reason I ask is that the funding/ appropriations are different. Would one of them need to be amended? What is the next step if these bills are going to go on? Hopefully better result this year.
ReplyDeleteWhere do bills end up after Ways and Means? Is there another committee?
DeleteMore than likely. Just look at the way it was bounced around in past years.
DeleteState website says that, unless it's sent back for amendments, it goes to the Rules Committee. If it passes that successfully, then it goes to a floor vote. Then to the Governor.
DeleteThank you for the information. Positive direction is good.
ReplyDeleteSo, what does this mean to us"Cold War" vets who served from 1976 to 1981? Are we to be left out again?
ReplyDeleteI just wish the Gov. would take more of a leader-ship role. I'm seeing on tv how great NY is doing. And he's now able to do more. Well when your trying to get leaders from other states to relocate and invest in NY. One thing you see from these other leaders is what they do for veterans. Be it in banking, giving loans, giving to wounded warriors, giving vets jobs. etc. Well i've called and written to a few and explained what our Gov. and Mayor of NY city really think of how NY should invest in their veterans. Two of them being veterans them self. One would think he's not really sending a good view of NY.
ReplyDeletethese 2 liberals ( cuomo + deblasio ) never served in the military !
ReplyDeleteWhile de Basio has a psychological problem with the victorious US Cold War veterans (who he derisively refers to as 'peacetime veterans') due to the defeat of his side in the Cold War he has no problem with extending the pension service credit buyback program to all wartime veterans. He writes this clearly in his letter urging the November 2014 veto. While he did not serve in the US military, it should be noted he did serve alongside the Communist Sandinistas in Latin American during the Cold War.
ReplyDeleteCuomo somehow never found the opportunity to volunteer in the US Military.
Sponsorship of the VEA has risen slightly to 29 and 104. President Skelos is on the Senate version. It would be great to see Speaker Heastie on the Assembly version.
ReplyDeleteAwful quiet on all fronts. Just waiting to hear something positive to maybe lean it towards us a little. Anyone have any information?
ReplyDeleteSkelos might be indicted on Thursday. Is that good news or bad news for us?
ReplyDeletehttp://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/04/talk-of-scandal-plagued-albany-whos-next.html
I have heard the rumor this will be on the governor's desk on Memorial Day. Given his continuous disrespect for the wartime and Cold War veterans of this state he'll celebrate the day the same way he celebrated Veterans Day - vetoing a modest bill for equity and honor for New York's veterans. Cuomo and his left-wing pal de Blasio will doubtlessly cook up a bizarre fiscal cover story for their antics.
ReplyDeleteSponsorship of the VEA has risen to 30 in the Senate and 106 in the Assembly. President Skelos is on the Senate version. It would be great to see Speaker Heastie on the Assembly version. Neither A4313A nor S4124 are on the Ways & Means and Finance committee agendas respectively for this week, Monday, 05/04/15 - Friday, 05/08/15.
ReplyDeletehttp://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?sh=agen2&agenda=43
http://www.nysenate.gov/event/2015/may/05/finance-meeting
Sponsorship is meaningless as we saw from the last bill, that both the house and senate refused to even attempt an override. The only thing that matters is the Governor's position on the bill. Given that everyone is thrilled with such low property tax increases this year, and that will be cornerstone of his and any future office he runs for, I don't see him signing the bill. The best hope for passage would be his last year in office, where the cost of the bill will not be his problem.
ReplyDeleteAlso don't you think the fact that Heastie has not signed on is a signal to other house democrats as to what position they should be taking? It's not an election year so many will not break ranks to sign on as they did last year unless they get the OK from Heastie, who will only give it if Cuomo gives the go ahead, which being that it is not an election year he most likely will not.
Read nothing into a failure to override as essentially there is no override option with this bill.
Delete" where the cost of the bill will not be his problem"
DeleteI've said it before and I'll say it again. Cost is NOT the issue.
Understand re the no override but what it shows is that sponsorship will not decide the outcome, Cuomo will.
DeleteThen all veterans need to figure out how to get this bill through and signed. VSE has been leading the way so far. We came very close last year. I suppose if there was appropriations for both bills that would help. All common sense points our way. Little to no cost, replace higher paid workers with lower paid tier 6 workers, almost all of the other states recognize veterans in this way, it would seem to help politicians if this was passed. Etc....so many positives but still it appears it is an uphill battle. Amazing
ReplyDeleteI just sent the following email to Speaker Heastie...with cc's to Assembly sponsor Paulin, Assemblyman Steck (my rep), Senate Majority Leader Skelos, Senate IDC Chair Klein, Senate sponsor Larkin and Senator Breslin (my rep). I will post whatever responses I receive (other than the canned auto-reply acknowledgements).
ReplyDeleteSpeaker Heastie,
I would like to commend you on the stirring and passionate speech you gave yesterday to honor our fallen police officers at the 2015 NYS Police Officers Memorial Remembrance Ceremony. Some of your comments that resonated personally with me were:
“…I believe…as all of us here today believe…this is the power of knowing that in our time of need…someone will be there to answer the call for help. No matter the hour, no matter how dangerous the circumstances, there are heroes among us who will put their lives on the line every day.
We are blessed to enjoy a life of freedom and safety, but we must never forget that freedom has a price. Safety…has a price.
These perfect strangers who wake up each day and wear the proud uniform of heroes and guardian angels deserve every measure of gratitude and honor that we can possibly afford them.
These heroes answer a call to duty that is heard by many, but answered by precious few.
Because of their bravery…because of their belief that I am my brother’s keeper…all across this state, millions of New Yorkers can sleep soundly…knowing that their families and loved ones are safe from danger.”
It occurred to me that these very same sentiments could be presented to an audience consisting of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who have also answered the call regardless how dangerous the circumstance. I am a US Navy cold war veteran (1977-1981) who will be retiring from state service in a few months. I would like to at least have the opportunity to purchase some of my military service time to count toward my public service pension. I ask that you remember these same passionate words when you deliberate the Veterans Equality Act in the Assembly and that you appropriate the necessary funding as Governor Cuomo requested in his November veto to prevent a similar outcome. An Assembly bill (A04313A) without the requisite appropriation is a hollow gesture. If the Assembly is struggling for an amount, may I suggest the same $31,500,000 appropriation the Senate is using in their companion bill (S04124). Since this figure was allegedly produced by the Division of the Budget, it should appease the governor.
I also request that the Assembly and Senate quickly come together on a unified Veterans Equality Act bill and submit it to the governor before this legislature recesses in June. This inequity has been debated and discussed for too many years. Please make this session the time we finally recognize all veterans for their service and deservedly treat all veterans equally.
Respectfully,
J. Daniel Corcoran
Outstanding, well done.
ReplyDeleteI agree, outstanding. I wonder if they can hear us now! If not they will hear us when it comes time for their re-election! Or should I say their good bye.
ReplyDeleteThe new Senate leader is a co-signer of the bill.
ReplyDeleteI feel its a waste of time, they don't care about us veterans......because there is nothing in it for them!
ReplyDeleteGovernor Cuomos approval rating is in the dump. Things are appearing to catch up to him. Again, this makes total sense. How about support some veterans with an in expensive bill which gains him some support in the publics eye. It's not like the senate or assembly have no support for the veterans equality act. He could spin it in his favor and gain a few points in the polls. Sounds easy because it is. Haven't heard much over the last couple of weeks. Does anyone have any information?
ReplyDelete"the greasy wheel gets the oil". A somewhat less common twist on the 'ole addage "the squeaky wheel gets the oil". Your point is well taken.
ReplyDeleteAssembly bill says revised 5/11/15. I wonder if that holds any relevance?
ReplyDeleteNo funding either. And still does not say same as.
ReplyDeleteapparently only the memo was revised , not the text of the bill !
ReplyDeleteAny truth to the rumor that the bill will be on the Governor's desk on Memorial Day?
ReplyDeleteA relatively informed source told me a few weeks ago to look for the Senate to pass whatever the Assembly winds up passing and that the passed bill would be on the Gov's desk by Memorial Day.
DeleteLike everything in life, of course, plans and circumstances continually change.
Not that I'm doubting your source, but can the assembly pass the bill along with the senate in that short amount of time? I hope you are correct but doesn't the bill need to go through ways and means committee and rules committee and then get voted on? Again, hoping for the best again. I would love to have the option of buying back 3 years.
ReplyDeleteRemember, the Senate did precisely that last year. The question is, what sort of a bill will the Assembly pass?
DeleteThat's right I forgot that. VSE what do you think? Think it has a chance. Last year was disappointing. Hopefully something is happening behind doors.
DeleteIt is possible to pass the VEA before Memorial Day. First, S4124 is not currently on the Senate Finance Committee calendar for 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 19, 2015. In the Assembly, the Ways and Means Calendar is not yet published online, so I'm not sure as to A4313A. However, W&Ms and Rules are scheduled to meet off the Assembly floor at 1:30 PM, Tuesday, May 19, 2015. W&Ms would likely meet first followed by Rules. In order to please the Governor, it would pretty much have to proceed like this:
ReplyDeleteA4313A would be amended to A4313B and placed on the W&Ms calendar. It would be immediately Reported Referred to Rules and taken up a few minutes later. A special order by report of the Committee on Rules would allow A4313B to be considered on second and third reading on the same day. It would then have to be immediately passed by the Assembly on Wednesday, May20th and immediately sent to the Senate for passage the same day (they're going home Thursday). A4313B would be returned to the Assembly and Speaker Heastie would then send it to our beloved Governor for his signature.
Remember the SAFE Act. They can move when they want too. Here's to high hopes.
I read this blog. i am a female vet and would like to buy time too
ReplyDeleteGreat to see a Female Vet voice on this most important Bill. I was stationed in Germany @ a USAF Radar Mobile Unit between 82-84 & Served Proudly with many Fellow Enlisted Female's & Reported to many Female Officer's with everyday preparing to go to War against The Soviet Union. Many of those Female Soldiers/ Cold War
DeleteVets are my Unit Facebook Friends 30+ yrs later. Tear Down that Wall Gov. Coumo & Signed this Bill!
The lackluster support from wartime veterans organizations (American Legion, VFW) has been only matched by lackluster support from an Assembly that prides itself on progressive issues. Women's issues are traditionally progressive issues.
DeleteCurrent law blatantly and shamefully discriminates against women. Because women were officially and legally banned from combat units, the combat zone, and actual combat during most of our past conflicts, many women veterans are now ineligible for military service credit.
Where is the women's caucus on this discrimination? They should be raising holy heck about this legal discrimination against women and demanding the immediate passage of a funded bill in the Assembly.
In what can only be described as a disgraceful act, Assemblywoman Deborah Glick - a committed female progressive and prominent member of the Assembly's Legislative Women's Caucus - cast the ONLY vote in either house against the bill last year.
Every excluded female veteran should have called her office and demanded an answer from this so-called 'progressive'. And should be calling her right now to sign on as a sponsor of the bill.
I agree 100%. It seems like a united female front would almost shame them into getting this passed.
Delete