Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C,I-Deerpark) is calling on the Assembly Majority to bring veterans buy-back legislation he sponsors to the floor for a vote. If enacted, this would let honorably-discharged veterans enrolled in the state pension system to purchase up to three years of active military service to be used toward their retirement benefits. Currently, this privilege is reserved for military members who served during a specific period of conflict.

“This nation’s veterans represent the very best of us, and they deserve our support, in both our prayers and actions,” said Brabenec. “I owe everything I have in my life to the brave men and women of our armed forces, and they deserve the opportunity to merely support their own retirement. If I can fight to pass this pension buy-back bill with just a fraction of the passion and commitment they gave in service of our country, then I know it will become law.”

Orange County Sen. Bill Larkin sponsors and passed a similar bill in his chamber unanimously on Wednesday. Gov. Cuomo vetoed comparable legislation last fall, just before Veterans Day, after it overwhelmingly passed the Assembly.