Adjusted     Executive
                             Appropriation       Request               Percent
                                   2001-02       2002-03        Change  Change


AGENCY SUMMARY
  General Fund                  10,122,000    11,372,000    1,250,000   12.35%
  Special Rev.-Fed.              1,490,000     2,282,000      792,000   53.15%
  Total for AGENCY SUMMARY:     11,612,000    13,654,000    2,042,000   17.59%


STATE OPERATIONS
  General Fund                   5,647,000     5,647,000            0    0.00%
  Special Rev.-Fed.              1,490,000     2,282,000      792,000   53.15%
  Total for STATE OPERATIONS:    7,137,000     7,929,000      792,000   11.10%

Veterans Education
  Special Rev.-Fed.              1,226,000     1,518,000      292,000   23.82%
  Total for Program:             1,226,000     1,518,000      292,000   23.82%

Administration
  General Fund                     856,000       856,000            0    0.00%
  Total for Program:               856,000       856,000            0    0.00%

Veterans Counseling Services
  General Fund                   4,791,000     4,791,000            0    0.00%
  Special Rev.-Fed.                264,000       764,000      500,000  189.39%
  Total for Program:             5,055,000     5,555,000      500,000    9.89%

AID TO LOCALITIES
  General Fund                   4,475,000     5,725,000    1,250,000   27.93%
  Total for AID TO LOCALITIES:   4,475,000     5,725,000    1,250,000   27.93%

Veterans Counseling Services
  General Fund                     725,000       725,000            0    0.00%
  Total for Program:               725,000       725,000            0    0.00%

Blind Veteran Annuity Assistance
  General Fund                   3,750,000     5,000,000    1,250,000   33.33%
  Total for Program:             3,750,000     5,000,000    1,250,000   33.33%

                                                                    
                                                                    
      

                         ALL FUNDS PERSONNEL
                        BUDGETED FILL LEVELS
                                                                    
                                                                    
      
                                   Current     Requested
Program                            2001-02       2002-03   Change
                                                                    
                                                                    
      
Veterans Education                      13            13        0
Administration                          13            13        0
Veterans Counseling Services           102            98      (4)

Total General Fund :                   115           111      (4)
Total All Other Funds :                 13            13        0

TOTAL:                                 128           124      (4)
                                                                    
                                                                    
       

                          BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
                   (Executive Budget: pp.393 -396)

The Division of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) assists, counsels and
advocates for veterans, military personnel and their families.  The
Division coordinates with other State agencies as well as the Federal
Government on programs affecting veterans.  The Division operates
through regional offices located in Albany, Buffalo, Hauppauge and New
York City.  
This agency is included in the Public Protection and General
Government appropriation bill.

The Executive recommends All Funds appropriations totaling
$13,654,000, reflecting a net increase of $2,042,000, or 17.6 percent
increase from the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2001-2002 funding level. 

State Operations

The Executive proposes $7,929,000 for State Operations in SFY 2002-03,
which represents a net increase of $792,000, or 11.1 percent increase
above SFY 2001-02.  This increase is attributable to the following:

--     a $5,647,000 in General Fund appropriation reflecting level
       funding from SFY 2001-02 to support the Administration Program
       and the Veteran Counseling Services Program.  This funding
       reflects a $334,000 net increase reflecting negotiated salary
       adjustments, inflation and other nonpersonal service costs
       associated with the Division's operation; and a $334,000 net
       decrease in expenditures associated with savings achieved by
       the attrition of four FTE's and management economies and
       efficiencies.

--     a $2,282,000 Special Revenue Federal appropriation for the
       Higher Education Services Program and Veteran Counseling
       Services Program.  This appropriation reflects a $292,000 net
       increase from SFY 2001-02 and represents the actual level of
       anticipated Federal support for the Veterans' Education
       Program.  The Executive recommends $500,000 in new
       appropriation authority for new Federal grants that the
       Division has committed to seek out.

Aid to Localities

The Executive recommends an All Funds appropriation of $5,725,000 in
SFY 2002-03, reflecting an increase of $1,250,000 from the SFY 2001-02
funding level.  The increase is recommended to accommodate anticipated
growth in the Blind Veteran Annuity Program based on increased
enrollment. Visually impaired veterans in New York State are eligible
for a $1,000 annual annuity that is administered by the Veterans'
Administration.  The benefit, paid in monthly installments, also
extends to certain surviving spouses of blind veterans.  The increased
funding is intended to address continued growth and increased demand.

In addition, the Executive recommends a $350,000 deficiency
appropriation for SFY 2001-02 for the Blind Veteran Annuity Assistance
Program associated with increased enrollment in this entitlement
program.