'Patriot Plan II' will honor and
help New York's military personnel

"With my heartfelt support, the New York State Assembly recently passed Patriot Plan II," Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt said. "This landmark legislation is designed to build upon the historic Patriot Plan, first introduced by Assembly Republicans last year to help New York's citizen-soldiers as they are called to serve in the War on Terror."

Patriot Plan II will further ease financial and other concerns faced by New Yorkers in the National Guard and Reserves. Among its other provisions, the package includes tax exemptions and deadline extensions, tuition award eligibility expansions and increased pay for New York's military personnel. The original Patriot Plan legislation featured measures aimed at preventing discrimination, and at providing citizen-soldiers with additional rights in regard to vehicle leases, loan repayments, as well as educational leaves of absence for those called to active duty.

Nesbitt said he and his Republican colleagues worked hard to develop and pass both Patriot Plan programs to help military men and women meet their obligations at home when they are called away to defend our freedom. "It is my sincere hope that these pieces of legislation will provide these brave soldiers with the comfort that comes from knowing everything back home will be taken care of in their absence," he said.