Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs [Source] Translate

The meeting began with a pledge of allegiance and a roll call confirming a quorum. Jeff Cantor and Duvall Tyson from the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce presented legislative priorities to support veteran-owned businesses in New Jersey. They noted that a 2015 law requiring 3% of state contracts to be awarded to disabled veteran-owned businesses has not been met, with the highest achievement being only 0.9%. Cantor proposed legislation to impose liquidated damages on companies that fail to engage with veteran-owned businesses, suggested that state agencies publish their spending with these businesses, and recommended creating a fund managed by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) for financial support. Additional proposals included tax incentives for large companies partnering with veteran-owned businesses, funding for the Veterans Chamber of Commerce, and reintroducing a bill to waive E-ZPass fees for veteran-owned businesses. Cantor also called for a "first look" program for veteran-owned businesses in state procurement and the establishment of a certification for military spouse-owned businesses. He highlighted education and enforcement as significant barriers to reaching the 3% contract threshold and mentioned the need for mechanisms to prevent fraud related to veteran status. The meeting also addressed challenges in data collection regarding veteran-owned businesses, with Cantor criticizing the outdated NJ Savvy system and announcing plans for a new platform, smalldiverselocal.com, to improve tracking and reporting. Discussions included the procurement process in New Jersey, particularly the complexities of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) that small veteran-owned businesses face. There was a call for a streamlined process and the establishment of an ombudsman to assist the veteran business community. A veteran advocate discussed the challenges faced by women veterans, including historical military sexual harassment and inadequate support in accessing healthcare and benefits. The need for better outreach to women veterans was emphasized, along with concerns about homeless women veterans and the necessity for accessible services. Brianna Felice shared her personal experiences regarding the impact of military service on family dynamics, stressing the importance of state support for veterans and their families. The meeting highlighted transportation issues for veterans, particularly in accessing medical appointments, with suggestions for improved services, including a shuttle to assist veterans at the East Orange Veteran Hospital. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) representative echoed concerns about transportation and called for accountability in funding for veteran services. Broader issues of veteran care, including mental health services and food insecurity, were discussed, with calls for increased funding and legislative changes to improve property tax relief for veterans. The meeting concluded with a focus on supporting the Veterans Chamber of Commerce and addressing the challenges faced by disabled women-owned businesses. Concerns about funding and support for the National Guard and disparities in veteran services between regions were raised. The need for better mental health services and oversight for the National Guard was emphasized, along with a commitment to improve services for veterans in New Jersey and a dedicated hearing for women veterans to address their specific issues. The chair expressed gratitude for the testimonies shared and the importance of ongoing efforts to better serve the veteran community.