SLATER JOINS VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS IN CALLING ON GOV. HOCHUL TO SIGN TAX CREDIT INCREASE

Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) joined members of the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY), volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel at the Ossining Fire Department on Saturday to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation significantly increasing New York’s income tax credit for volunteer first responders.

The bipartisan legislation, A.6790-A, would increase the state personal income tax credit for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers from $200 to $800. For married couples filing jointly where both spouses qualify, the credit would increase from $400 to $1,600. 

“Our volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel answer the call at all hours of the day and night to protect their neighbors,” said Slater. “Increasing this tax credit is a meaningful way to recognize their service while helping our local departments recruit and retain the volunteers they desperately need.”

According to FASNY, New York has 20,000 fewer volunteer firefighters today than it did 20 years ago, while volunteer firefighters save the state more than $4.7 billion each year. The Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment and Retention Task Force, convened by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, also recommended increasing the credit.

“Volunteer fire departments are the backbone of public safety in communities across New York,” Slater continued. “When their ranks decline, it becomes a public safety and taxpayer issue. We should be doing everything we can to support those who step up to serve.”

FASNY organized the Sept. 19 event as part of its push for the governor to act on the legislation before the end of the year.

“The Legislature has done its job, and now we need the governor to finish the job,” concluded Slater. “Supporting the men and women who volunteer to keep our communities safe should never be a partisan issue. I urge Gov. Hochul to sign this bill and give our volunteer first responders the support they have earned.”