Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) recently met with a group of student-veterans who attend Nassau County Community College. McDonough, himself a veteran, spoke to the students about various issues facing returning veterans, including integrating into civilian life, accessing the resources they need to attend college or begin a career, as well as mental health issues plaguing many returning veterans. He also took time to tell the students about several pieces of legislation he is co-sponsoring, including the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act and the G.I.V.E. Back NY program.

“Our veterans have paid a great debt to help protect and defend our communities,” said McDonough. “It was an honor to meet with this incredible group of student-veterans who have come home to Nassau County to build their futures. These fine men and women are now putting the skills and knowledge they learned in service to our country to work right here, and they are truly leaders in our community.”

The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act, which McDonough is co-sponsoring and has passed both chambers of the Legislature unanimously, would establish the “Service-Disabled Veterans-Owned Businesses Enterprise” to increase participation in state contracting as a way to expand economic opportunities for veterans. If signed by the governor, the program would establish a statewide goal of six percent participation in State Contracts by Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises.

McDonough is also a co-sponsor of legislation to create the G.I.V.E. Back NY program. This would enable disabled veterans to participate in the chamber’s annual legislative internship program. The G.I.V.E Back NY program would earmark a percentage of the current Assembly Session Internship program positions to be directed to service-disabled veterans who apply to be part of this first-in-the-nation pilot initiative.