Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney (R,C-New Hartford) praised the efforts of more than 30 veterans service organizations from across the state who came to Albany today pushing for the Veterans Equality Act. Last October the governor vetoed the bill for the second time in less than a year, which would let honorably discharged veterans in the public retirement system to buy back three years of retirement. The bill has passed the Assembly and Senate chambers in a strong display of bipartisanship multiple times.
“If the governor chooses to veto the pension buyback legislation it will be further demonstration of his continued disrespect for our nation’s heroes. These brave men and women put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and we should be making every accommodation to make their lives a little easier. This bill not only accomplished that goal but was modified to meet the governor’s specifications and he still responded with another veto. I ask that anyone who supports our troops to contact the governor’s office or their local representative to voice their support for this bipartisan legislation.”