Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority
\nCoalition co-leaders Dean Skelos and
\nJeff Klein, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon
\nSilver announced an agreement in March
\non legislation to facilitate the awarding
\nof 6 percent of state contracts to service disabled,
\nveteran-owned small businesses
\nusing several tools including set-asides.<\/p>\n
By comparison, the federal government’s
\ngoal for awarding contracts to veteran owned
\nbusinesses is only three percent
\nand no other state in the nation offers as
\nrobust a program which includes set-aside
\ncontracts to these small businesses, officials
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The proposed legislation will also create
\na Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’
\nBusiness Development within the Office of
\nGeneral Services (OGS) that would coordinate
\nthe program and encourage state agencies
\nto provide additional opportunities for
\nVeterans to participate more equitably in
\nstate contracting.
\n“This bill represents an unprecedented step forward in how New York state honors the contributions of its veterans,” Cuomo said. “Increasing economic opportunities for New York’s service-disabled veterans is a tremendous way to thank the brave men and women of our armed forces for their sacrifice. I am proud that New York is leading the nation on this issue, and I thank the leaders of the Legislature for helping to make this bill a reality.”<\/p>\n
Skelos said he is pleased with the agreement “to pass legislation, approved three years in a row in the Senate, to provide small businesses owned by disabled veterans a real opportunity to win state contracts … I thank Sen. Ball for spearheading this effort, and for his tireless work on behalf of all veterans, and commend the governor for helping us move this critical issue forward.”<\/p>\n
“With a new generation of veterans returning home from combat, we have an obligation to support these heroes and their families by leveling the playing field,” said Klein. “This bill will empower our disabled veterans as small business owners by allowing them to roll up their sleeves and embrace the entrepreneurial spirit. Last year, the Independent Democratic Conference was proud to introduce the first Jobs for Heroes tax credit, and this year we’re thrilled to do even more.”<\/p>\n
Said Silver, “Our veterans have made sacrifices for the love of their country that are far beyond our scope of understanding and our gratitude toward them is unwavering.<\/p>\n
In New York we have made it a priority to do what we can to provide veterans with the resources they need to make a successful transition into civilian life. But more can always be done. The veterans contract program takes a significant step forward in achieving these goals and helping these honorable, selfless men and women find real, sustainable employment here in New York.”<\/p>\n
Senator Greg Ball said, “New Yorkers can stand tall and proud today knowing that we have kept America’s promise to our veterans and service disabled heroes. This landmark legislation will create tens of thousands of jobs for veterans statewide and will allow service disabled veteran small business owners to tap into hundreds of millions of dollars in state contracting.”<\/p>\n
“This single act will do more to reverse the high veteran unemployment rate than anything else we have done, or will do. Yet beyond just creating jobs, this is about saving lives, and confronting the epidemic of veteran suicide through meaningful employment. ”<\/p>\n
New York is home to nearly 900,000 veterans, 72 percent of whom have served during periods of conflict.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Coalition co-leaders Dean Skelos and Jeff Klein, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced an agreement in March on legislation to facilitate the awarding of 6 percent of state contracts to service disabled, veteran-owned…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":88,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[66,118],"yoast_head":"\r\n