Veterans to Hochul: Sign A7475B/S6351B this Veterans Day
Veterans of Foreign Wars posts across New York have long been pillars of our communities, places where veterans find camaraderie, purpose and support after service. We honor our fallen, mentor young people, help veterans in need and lend a hand whenever our neighbor calls.
But today, many of our posts are struggling to stay open. Rising costs and limited fundraising options are putting a strain on our ability to help those who served. One simple, bipartisan fix now sits on Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk: A7475B/S6351B, a bill that would allow VFWs and other charitable organizations to use electronic bell jar vending machines to raise funds for our missions.
These machines are not a new game. They are simply an updated version of the regulated, secure paper bell jars we have relied on for decades. Nor is this an expansion of gambling. It is a modernization of an existing tool that can be used only inside our posts or at our events. Taking this equally secure step would be an immense help to local Veterans’ organizations as they fight to stay financially stable and continue giving back to our communities.
Thanks to our staunch bill sponsors, Senator Addabbo and Assemblymember Woerner, the State Legislature has already done its part by passing this bill with strong bipartisan support. Now it is up to the Governor to take the final step and sign this commonsense bill into law.
Unlike sweeping bills that sometimes have little measurable impact, this small change would have a big, meaningful and visible impact. The funds raised through these electronic bell jar vending machines help maintain our facilities, provide scholarships, support local veterans and their families and fuel community service projects. Without this update, many posts will continue falling behind, forced to rely on outdated products that cannot keep up with today’s world. Other states have already made this overdue modernization, ensuring their veterans’ posts can thrive. There is no reason posts in New York should be left behind.
On behalf of the thousands of New York veterans who continue to serve our communities long after our military service ended, we welcome Governor Hochul to stand with New York’s veterans and sign A7475B/S6351B into law on Veteran’s Day.
Our state’s veterans have always answered the call. Now we are asking our State to do the same.
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