New York Senator Charles Schumer was in Plattsburgh Thursday afternoon, calling for the renewal of a tax credit for businesses that hire veterans.
New York’s senior Senator stopped by Bombardier Transportation in Plattsburgh, a manufacturer of rail cars, to tour the plant and discuss the importance of extending the “Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors Tax Credit”. Originally enacted in November 2011, the incentive for businesses to hire veterans expires at the end of the year. The tax credit provides businesses up to 96-hundred dollars for hiring a veteran, depending on how long the person has been unemployed, or if they have a service-related disability. Schumer says Congressional gridlock is stalling the tax credit’s renewal and said the Senate will be voting on a package of expiring tax breaks. Schumer said it is imperative that the tax credit be included.
Congressman Bill Owens is a sponsor of the original legislation in the House. He was with Senator Schumer and said he would work in that chamber to renew the tax credit to hire veterans.
Senator Schumer, Congressman Owens and regional officials toured the Bombardier rail car manufacturing plant and spoke with some of the veterans working there.
The plant in Plattsburgh employees 411 people, 50 are veterans. Plant officials would like the credit renewed to be able to hire more veterans.
