In the wake of the September 11^th tragedy and our nation's on-going battle against terrorism we are all more appreciative of the efforts made by the brave men and women who serve in the military as well as those every day heroes that respond to every sort of emergency or fire.

This page identifies some of the humble efforts that I have made to show my appreciation for those who provide our public safety.

Fire Protection & Emergency Response

For years I have worked extensively to aid and recognize the incredible contributions made by firefighters and emergency responders -- especially those who volunteer their service.

• Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) for Disabled Volunteers
  I have two proposals before the state legislature that would increase benefits to disabled volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers. The first, (A.1086-B) would provide a COLA for all disabled volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers receiving workers' compensation. The second, (A.9537-A) would provide increase benefit payments to the maximum level and provide a COLA for all permanently-totally disabled volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers receiving workers' compensation. Adequately compensating the men and women who sacrifice their safety and their time to protect  the  safety of  others, for their injuries incurred in the line of duty is the least we, as a State, can do to thank them for their unselfish service
   
• Personal Income Tax Credit
  Many communities have a shortage of volunteers on which they depend. Recruitment and retention of volunteers is difficult for many reasons including time and economics. For that reason, I sponsor a bill (A.9324) that would provide a $500 tax credit to all active volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers. The tax credit in this bill will help to recruit and retain volunteers by providing a small economic benefit in consideration of the time and sacrifice given by volunteers.
   
• Income Tax Adjustment
  I have introduced another bill (A.556) to reduce the income tax burden in hopes that it will provide an incentive. This would be done by permitting an active volunteer firefighter or an active member of an ambulance company to deduct $1,500 from federal adjusted gross income or if such taxpayer is an active member of both a volunteer fire company and a volunteer ambulance company they may deduct $2,000 from federal adjusted gross income.
   
• Tuition Awards for Children of Disabled Volunteers
  Our state must recognize the importance of the service of our uniformed public servants. We must recognize their service and stand prepared to assist their spouses and children when, in the course of the performance of their service to the community, they are injured and become permanently and totally disabled. My bill (A.9672-A) would recognize and reward the service of our volunteer firefighters by providing tuition awards to children of firefighters with permanent and total disabilities.
   
• Enhanced STAR Exemption for Disabled Volunteers
  I sponsor a bill (A.11413) that would extend the enhanced STAR exemption to permanent total disabled firefighters. Under this program, permanently total disabled firefighters would be able to realize the same property/school tax exemptions that senior citizens do through the enhanced STAR program.
   

Military

• Marriage License Waiver for Military Personnel
  Assembly bill (A.9754) Authorizes certain military personnel to get married within twenty-four hours of receiving a marriage license. Current law requires a twenty-four hour period that couples have to wait before they can get married. While this does not seem like a long time, for men and women in the military this waiting period can be a hindrance if they get deployed on short notice. A similar waiver was enacted during the Vietnam War but since has expired. In the short time before deployment there are many things that military personnel need to take care of, having to wait twenty-four hours to get married should not be one of them.