4 FEBRUARY 25, 2021 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
Senate approves Addabbo’s legislation
granting college credit to veterans
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
Veterans across New York will
be provided academic credit
at state-run colleges and universities
based on their training and
expertise under a bill sponsored by
state Senator Joseph Addabbo.
The “common-sense” legislation
giving service members the opportunity
to apply their experience
toward a degree or program passed
the Senate.
“Granting credit hours for experience
is not new, but this bill would
define state law to ensure ACEcertified,
credit-worthy courses are
always accepted without having to
go through an additional review or
recommendation process,” Addabbo
said. “Enacting this legislation provides
our military members with
vital, well-deserved educational savings.
As elected officials, I believe we
can and do more for our veterans.”
In addition to this legislation,
Addabbo introduced a package of
bills for the 2021 legislative session
providing financial, emotional
and other supportive benefits for
New York’s veterans including the
following:
S.351: Requires a 120-day warning
period for certain veterans organizations
so they can rectify specific
violations in lieu of the immediate
imposition of a fine;
S.377: Provides an exemption of
sales tax on beer, wine and soda
for veterans service organizations
such as American Legions and VFW
posts;
S.1764: Directs the Division of Veterans’
Services to route ”988” calls
to the National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline;
S.2918: Establishes a real property
tax exemption for veterans who have
a 100 percent service-connected
disability;
S.2679: Establishes a process
for the alternative resolution of
criminal proceedings involving
service members and veterans who
served in combat or experienced a
traumatic event or were physically
or mentally injured during military
service where their resulting illness,
injury and/or other condition may
have played a role in the commission
of the criminal offense;
S.4069: Creates a voluntary
contribution on the state personal
income tax return for congressional
chartered veterans service
organizations;
S.4202: Requires the Empire State
Development Corporation “Small
State Senator Joseph Addabbo’s legislation granting college credit to military veterans passed in the upper
chamber. (QNS fi le photo)
Business Revolving Loan Fund” to
presented more significant risk for
target and market to veteran-owned
veterans, including mental health issues,”
enterprises and service-disabled
said Addabbo, a long-standing
veteran-owned enterprises.
member of the Senate Veterans,
“Even before COVID-19, New York
Homeland Security and Military Affairs
state veterans were at a higher risk
Committee. “Every one of our
of depression, but the pandemic has
veterans, including the organizations
President-Elect Mike Liendo, game participants Bill and Connie Underhill, Bill and Pat Maher, Gary and Debbie
Milau, and President Steve Hansen at the Glendale Kiwanis Valentine’s Day celebration at Zum Stammtisch,
where the organization hosted its annual Valentine’s event on Thursday, Feb. 18. Flowers and chocolate were
distributed to club members and customers who attended the event.
that serve them, is deserving of exclusive
privileges and support services,
which is why I am honored to
introduce legislation specific to our
military personnel. I am hopeful the
Senate will vote to pass all of these
important initiatives.”
A Valentine’s celebration
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