Plan would give disabled vets chance to work in the Capitol

Matthew McKibben
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco is spearheading a program that would give service-disabled veterans legislative internships, an initiative he says would be the first of its kind in the country.

Tedisco, R–Glenville, stood with fellow lawmakers, veterans and supporters in the Legislative Office Building last Tuesday to announce a program called G.I.V.E Back NY that would enable disabled veterans to participate in the chamber's annual legislative internship program as soon as 2015.

"Who better than our wounded warriors to see the inner workings of the republic and representative democracy they put their lives on the line for to the extent they now have to deal with a life-long disability," Tedisco said.

The Assembly Internship program, which is currently open to college students attending a four-year college and graduate students, provides stipends to its participants. Undergraduates receive a $4,500 stipend while graduate students earn $11,500, according to Tedisco. Assembly Republicans are proposing the enrollees of G.I.V.E. Back NY receive a stipend of $11,500 for the session-long program. Tedisco is proposing setting aside a percentage of the internships for veterans that are normally given to college students.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-02-10-86732.113122-Plan-would-give-disabled-vets-chance-to-work-in-the-Capitol.html