Response to Governor Cuomo's Veto

Possible Good News November 11, 2015- Some sort of military service credit expansion is a possibility next year: Not necessarily for all veterans though. See Assemblyman Curran's Announcement and Letter from  the Governor's office here.

I   As was the case following the Governor's November 2014 veto of the Veterans' Equality Act (VEA) , there is again an effort underway to override his veto: Here   It is sponsored by State Assemblyman Brian Curran. State Assemblyman Raymond Walter wrote an excellent editorial condemning the veto and urging override, here.

It is being publicly supported by the  Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

This surely is an impossibly  long shot since Governor Cuomo has never had a veto overridden, the primary sponsors of bill are not supporting the override effort, and the Democratic Assembly would never override the Democratic Governor's veto of a bill they did not strongly  support in the budget process in any case.

Although an impossibly long shot, an override  petition with a huge number of names will surely help during negotiations over a re-worked bill. Remember, negotiations are one thing...negotiations within the rumble of friendly artillery are another.

II   More realistically, an effort is underway in Albany to craft a re-calibrated bill for excluded veterans that will be negotiated into the state's budget and therefore not fall victim to a third consecutive Cuomo veto. One would expect the lowest hanging fruit, some excluded wartime veterans, to be part of a re-calibrated bill.


III Below are press releases from both primary sponsors immediately following the second consecutive veto:

     A. . William J. Larkin, Jr.

October 27, 2015

Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) said today: “I am extremely disappointed with Governor Cuomo’s veto of the Veteran’s Equality Act (S.5937/A.8174-A). Sadly, with this veto, New York has failed to keep its commitment to the men and women of our armed forces. We cannot however become disheartened. Despite the Governor’s veto, I will not stop advocating for the correction of the inequalities created under New York’s current veteran service credit law and will continue to do all I can to ensure that all New York’s veterans receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.”

  

     B. New York State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-88) vowed on Tuesday to keep fighting for the rights of veterans in New York State on Tuesday upon learning that A.8174A/S.5937, legislation that she authored, was vetoed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

This legislation would have allowed all honorably discharged veterans who are members of a New York State retirement system to purchase service credit for up to three years of military service performed. Currently, only veterans who served during certain specified periods are eligible and as a result, many veterans are excluded. Women veterans in particular are largely prevented from purchasing pension credit under the current system due to restrictions on combat service. This legislation would have remedied that inequity.
“I am once again deeply disappointed by the Governor’s veto,” Paulin said. “Our continued failure to recognize the service of our veterans remains, and to continue maintaining this myopic position in regards to this bill is troubling to say the least. I would understand this better if we were from the most conservative state in the U.S. but this is New York.
“I will continue fighting for this bill and will introduce it again and again and again, until it is passed. The Governor’s Counsel has committed to discuss the bill in November in preparation for the state budget, and I will advocate for the bill’s full inclusion. I will never give up until New York treats its veterans fairly, rewarding them for their service.”
William Larkin (R-39) sponsored the bill in the Senate.

GOVERNOR REQUESTS VETERANS' EQUALITY ACT AND VETOES IT

Veto. Memo 221. A sad day for equity and honor for NY's excluded combat, wartime, and Cold War veterans. 


1. The Veterans' Equality Act was one of a batch of bills requested by the governor on October 14, 2015.   Some will be signed and some will vetoed. He must sign or veto by midnight  26 OCT 2015 or The Veterans' Equality Act  becomes law automatically. 

Governor Larkin's Facebook page, probably the best source of breaking news on this matter, is here  

Legiscan page for tracking the bill is here.  Senate page for tracking the bill is here.

2. The real fight for all veterans begins now. As a first step, call Governor Cuomo  and ask him to sign the bill: 1-518-474-8390 (then press 3, give your  zip code). Get your friends, family and co-workers to do the same.

We know from Mayor de Blasio's vocal and repeated ideological opposition - not to mention his wacky and transparent   financial exaggerations  - that this remains an uphill fight.

We know an open ended bill adding eligibility (for the first time in NYS history) for peacetime veterans   during this pension-sensitive time makes this a steeply uphill fight.

Even a bill for just the excluded wartime veterans in this climate would not be a slam dunk.



3.  Third step, those with Twitter and Facebook accounts - post a tweet or a status on FB that can be easily shared to spread the word.

4.  Reminder: The Governor's deadline for action is midnight October 26, 2015. A failure to act (sign or veto) means the bill becomes law. Much more likely, he will sign or veto it prior to that time/date.