As a veteran, Assemblyman Dave McDonough is fighting to ensure all veterans have the best quality of services and programs. Their past has been spent helping us – we must return the favor-not just in the present, but in the future as well.

Assemblyman McDonough is working with the State Division of Veterans’ Affairs to help make veterans aware of the important health, financial and educational services the state already offers. To learn more about the services near you, please visit www.veterans.state.ny.us.

Assemblyman McDonough has been instrumental in the fight to address legislation that delivers for veterans, including legislation that:

• Provides the equivalent of four years undergraduate or three years graduate tuition at SUNY institutions (or the equivalent at private institutions) for all NYS veterans who served in combat as far back as 1961. Additionally, Assemblyman McDonough is working to extend this Veterans Tuition Award for all veterans – not just those who served in combat;

• Increases economic opportunity by raising the number of jobs the state awards to disabled veterans, as well as increasing the number of state contracts given to businesses owned by veterans;

• Recognizes the contribution of those who served honorably during the Cold War Era by creating the New York State “Cold War Service Medal” and creating the Cold War Veterans Real Property Tax Exemption, worth 10 to 15 percent the value of the property;

• Ensures veterans have access to mental health care providers who are trained specifically in the areas veterans need the most, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.