Governor Hochul Signs Executive Order to Enhance Quality of Supportive Housing Available to Veterans and Military Families
Legislation S.8596-A /A.9205-A Expands The Veterans Tuition Awards Program to Non-Combat Military Veterans Residing in New York
Legislation S.5195-B/A.4611-B Expands Access to Veterans' Benefits For Individuals Who Served Outside Of Wartime
Legislation S.7544/A.7173 Requires State Agencies to Establish A Veterans' Liaison to Coordinate With The Department Of Veterans' Services
Legislation S.9258 /A.9850 Will Improve Veterans' Access to Information About Their Benefits
Legislation S.2413-C/A.4613-C Provides Additional Financial Support For Veterans’ Funerals
Eight New Laws Will Rename State Roads and Bridges to Honor The Memory of Our Fallen Heroes
Governor Kathy Hochul today signed a legislative package in appreciation of Veterans Day to honor the service and sacrifice of New York’s veterans. The legislation enacted today includes the renaming of bridges and highways across the state in honor of fallen heroes as well as measures enhancing access to veterans benefits, reflecting New York’s unwavering commitment to honoring and supporting veterans and their families. Governor Hochul also signed an executive order to enhance the quality of supportive housing services available to New York’s veterans and military families by establishing training requirements for supportive housing providers that receive State funds to provide supportive housing to veterans.
“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the brave men and women who have served our country by ensuring their legacy lives on in communities across New York,” Governor Hochul said. “These laws not only honor our fallen heroes but also expand vital resources for veterans and their families, making sure they receive the recognition and support they deserve.”
Executive Order 41 mandates annual training for supportive housing providers throughout New York that receive State funds to designate a certain number of their housing units for veterans. The training program, which will be provided free of charge by the New York State Department of Veterans' Services, will focus on military cultural competency and access to benefits and services for veterans and military families. This will help ensure that any veteran in a state-funded veteran supportive housing program is served by individuals who understand their unique experiences and can connect them with the benefits and services they earned through their military service.
Through an agreement with the Legislature, Legislation S.8596-A /A.9205-A will ultimately entitle military veterans who served for at least 4 years and reside in the state to be eligible for the Veterans Tuition Award, regardless of whether they served in combat. Under this historic expansion of the Veterans Tuition Award, more Veterans than ever before in New York State will gain access to higher education opportunities, opening new doors for Veterans who reside in New York State in sustainable, rewarding career paths in their chosen post-military professions.
Legislation S.5195-B/A.4611-B removes the requirement that a veteran served during wartime to be granted certain benefits. New York State proudly recognizes that all Veterans deserve the benefits and resources afforded to them by the State that they have protected and defended through their military service. This legislation amends current law by removing the requirement that veterans must have served during a specifically defined period of wartime service to access important state veterans benefits and services.
Legislation S.7544/A.7173 requires the designation of a veterans' liaison in each executive state agency. Numerous New York State agencies offer many vital services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. To exemplify the “no wrong door” approach of State government toward serving those who serve our nation, this legislation directs New York State agencies to designate a Veterans' liaison to provide information and assistance to Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families regarding benefits and services available within that particular State agency, and to coordinate directly with the New York State Department of Veterans' Services.
Legislation S.9258/A.9850 relates to veterans receiving information on benefits. Accurate information about Veterans’ benefits is one of the most important tools to place in the hands of Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families. This legislation ensures that individuals requesting and obtaining a Veteran notation on their New York State driver's license or non-driver identification card receive information about the services that New York State’s Department of Veterans’ Services provides free of charge, as well as the option to be connected directly with the Department of Veterans’ Services to receive individualized attention and advocacy from the Department.
Legislation S.2413-C/A.4613-C provides for an annual adjustment for reimbursement for certain veterans’ funerals. Providing an honored final resting place for those who have served our state and nation is one of New York’s sacred and essential duties. This legislation will provide for regular increases in New York State’s reimbursement program to aid in covering the funeral and interment costs for Veterans who pass away indigent, ensuring that no Veteran in New York State ever goes without their rightful final honors.
Legislation S.6469-A/A.4089-A renames a portion of highway on State Route 747 in Montgomery as the “Steve Nicoli Memorial Highway.” The honoree Steve Nicoli dedicated his life to public service, his community, and his country. As an Army veteran, Steven served our nation with honor and distinction. Upon completing his service, he then spent his time honoring American veterans. Steve, along with a patriotic group of friends, established the Hudson Valley Honor Flight in Walden, NY. The mission of this organization, which is just one out of more than 100 chapters throughout the country as part of the National Honor Flight Network, is to honor our veterans with an all-expense-paid visit to their memorials in Washington D.C. This trip is a day of honor that many of our veterans never experienced during their years of service. Over the past ten years Hudson Valley Honor Flight has taken more than 2,000 veterans on more than 25 flights serving the Hudson Valley and tri-state area. In 2021, Steve passed away suddenly but his impact continues to be felt today through the honor flight and countless other selfless endeavors he was a part of. The stretch of road to be named in his honor is the road that every group of honor flight veterans drives on as they enter New York - Stewart International Airport. By naming this roadway in Steven's honor, it will forever memorialize his lifetime of service to our veterans and their families.
Legislation S.5937-B/A.4924-B renames the bridge on State Route 79 crossing the Chenango River in Greene as the “SP4 Herman Emil Anders, Jr. Memorial Bridge.” The honoree Herman Emil Anders, Jr. joined the US Army as an SP4 assigned to the A Company, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry where he received numerous medals such as the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense, Military Merit, Gallantry Cross with Palm. He earned the medals for his heroism in connection with military operations serving as part of the Artillery Battery of the 4th Infantry Division against a hostile force. While in Vietnam, SP4 Anders distinguished himself as serving as a Team Leader on a combat operation. There, he exposed himself to highly accurate small arms attack and rocket fire to point out enemy targets while directing his unit to withdraw to the secondary position. SP4 Anders engaged several enemy soldiers before being overwhelmed by enemy forces. SP4 Anders displayed bravery and devotion to duty while keeping with the highest traditions of military service.
Legislation S.6715-B/A.9578 renames the bridge on State Route 109 crossing the Southern State Parkway in Babylon as the “Lieutenant Commander Phillip Wayne Johnson Memorial Bridge.” The honoree Lieutenant Commander Phillip Wayne Johnson served his state, his country and his community on Long Island for his entire life. He graduated from the US Merchant Marines Academy and served in the reserves until his honorable discharge in 2001. During his service, he developed Navy Training plans for the Naval Landing Ship tank program, the Naval Reserve Ocean-going Mine Sweeper program and the Naval Reserve Naval Embarked Advisory Teams programs. Following his service, he worked as an engineer designing projects such as the Sunrise Highway project and later working for over a decade for NYCHA. In recognition of his contribution to his country and community, the NYS Route 109 Bridge over Southern State Parkway in the Town of Babylon, County of Suffolk shall be dedicated in his honor as the “Lieutenant Commander Phillip Wayne Johnson Memorial Bridge.”
Legislation S.4563-A/A.10523-A renames State Route 17M in Wallkill as the “Private First Class Richard Cleveland Dunn Memorial Highway.” The honoree Richard Cleveland Dunn was wounded in France during World War Two and received the service medal, good conduct medal, and WWII victory medal.
Legislation S.8338-A/A.7956-A renames the portion of highway on State Route 19 in Gainesville as the “T Sgt Walter Shearing Memorial Highway.” The honoree TS Shearing served his country with valor and honor during the Second World War. T Sgt. Walter W. Shearing was in General Patton's 7th Army, 324 Infantry Regiment, famed 44th division. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. TS Shearing sadly was killed in action on April 17th, 1945. He was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, with one oak leaf cluster each, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantry Badge.
Legislation S.9338/A.10312 renames the bridge on Washington Avenue crossing Interstate 90 in Rensselaer as the “CW2 Casey N. Frankoski Memorial Bridge.” The honoree Chief Warrant Officer 2 ("CW2") Casey N. Frankoski of the New York Army National Guard was patrolling the US-Mexico border near La Grulla, Texas when a tragic helicopter crash took her life on March 8, 2024. Deployed to Texas in October 2023, she was part of the federal government's border security mission. CW2 Frankoski enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in October 2016. She was appointed as a warrant officer in 2019 and trained to become a UH -60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot. She was promoted to the rank of warrant officer 2 in 2021. CW2 Frankoski deployed to Kuwait from November 2018 to September 2019 with Detachment 5, Company C, 2nd Battalion, 245th Aviation Regiment. The unit flies the Army's C-12 transport aircraft. CW2 Frankoski's military awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Basic Aviator Badge, and the Basic Aviation Badge.
Legislation S.8939-A/A.9846-A renames the portion of highway on State Route 40 between Carvers Lane and Warren Lane in Schaghticoke (Rensselaer County) as the “Assemblyman Pat M. Casale Memorial Highway.” The honoree Assemblymember Pat Casale served the people of Rensselaer, Albany, Saratoga, Greene and Columbia Counties in the Assembly for seven terms. He was known for his bipartisan approach with his colleagues and genuine connection with his constituents, especially his neighbors in Troy and Rensselaer County. On the Troy City Council, Pat founded the city's Flag Day Parade and was instrumental in the construction of the famous Uncle Sam Monument. He served as Mayor of Troy and later as Rensselaer County Clerk, where his leadership ensured residents accessed efficient government services. He was also a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Korean Conflict. He received many civic honors, including the Uncle Sam Citizen of the Year Award, the LaSalle Institute Distinguished Alumni Award, the Brunswick Lincoln Award, the Father Flanagan Award, and the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club's Frank P. Kennedy Award.
Legislation S.9764/A.6287-D renames the portion of I-278 (the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway) from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to 6th Avenue in Brooklyn as the “Fort Hamilton Veterans Memorial Highway.”
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