Norris, Hawley and Assembly Republicans push for $500 million in veterans’ services

Photos from Mike Norris’s Office: Assemblyman Mike Norris, in back, joins colleagues from the Assembly Minority Conference at a press conference today calling on the state to make a greater investment in veterans’ services. Norris, pictured in the upper right-hand corner, listens as Joseph Chenelly, AMVETS national executive director and veteran, speaks about the impact the Conference’s $500 million investment plan would have on veterans’ organizations throughout New York.

Press Release, Assemblyman Mike Norris

ALBANY – Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) joined colleagues from the Assembly Minority Conference today to call on the state to increase its investment for veterans’ services by enacting their $500 million “Invest in Vets” platform.

The plan would provide $250 million in operational funding to programs like the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Counseling Program, AMVETS, American Legions, VFWs, and much more. Another $250 million in capital improvement funding would go toward veterans housing and other facilities that provides resources and support for veterans across the state.

“After everything New Yorkers have been through in the last couple of years, and as we look around the world right now, we are reminded that our freedoms have come at a precious cost. We have our veterans to thank for our daily ability to live in a free, safe and secure nation, and this state can afford to make sure our veterans are looked after when they come home,” Norris said. “That’s what our plan is all about. It’s about showing our appreciation and gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Let’s get it enacted in this year’s budget.”

Provided photo from Hawley’s office: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) presents details of the “Invest in Vets” budget proposal alongside Americans Veterans (AMVETS) National Executive Director Joseph R. Chenelly.

UPDATE at 5:54 p.m.: Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement this afternoon: “If our state budget is going to be one of the largest in the nation, the support we offer our veterans should be among the most comprehensive in the country, but unfortunately that is not the case,” said Hawley. “Today I call on my partners across the aisle in the Legislature and Gov. Hochul to include this critical funding package within this year’s final budget to better support our veterans and help connect them to local resources in their communities.”