(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head) is joining many of his colleagues in the call to pass Assembly Bill 4313-A in the remaining days of the 2015 Legislative Session.
This legislation, known as the Veterans Equality Act, would allow public employees who are veterans of U.S. military service to buy back up to three years of state pension service credit. It would allow all public employees to be eligible if they had at least five years of actual service credit and were honorably discharged from military service, regardless of when or where they served.
“Veterans across New York State have made tremendous sacrifices for all of us,” said Montesano. “These brave servicemen and women chose to put their lives on the line to protect our country’s freedoms. It is only right to ensure that they are offered the benefits they deserve, regardless of where and when they served. I am hopeful that we will pass this legislation, and that the governor will recognize its importance for all who have served.”
Despite being vetoed by the governor a few days shy of Veterans Day 2014, the Veterans Equality Act has been reintroduced with an overwhelming 103 bi-partisan sponsors. The legislation is currently awaiting action from the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means.
A similar bill was taken up in the Senate a few days after Memorial Day of this year and was passed unanimously.
