New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle A - Governor's Office › Chapter I - Executive Orders › Part 5 - Executive Orders (George E. Pataki) › Section 5.125 - Executive order no. 125: directing state officials to ensure that the appropriate protections and benefits are extended to members of the reserve armed forces of the united states and the organized militia of new york state

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
WHEREAS, many citizens of the State of New York serve as
					 members of the reserve armed forces of the United States and the organized
					 militia of this state;
WHEREAS, these brave men and women have been, and will
					 continue to be, called to active duty to fight the ongoing war on terrorism and
					 the armed conflict with Iraq;
WHEREAS, the willingness of these men and women to leave
					 behind their families, friends, and regular lives to keep our Nation safe,
					 strong and free is truly heroic, and all New Yorkers owe them an enormous debt
					 of gratitude;
WHEREAS, the sacrifices that these courageous men and women
					 make while serving on active military duty should not be compounded by their
					 families having to make additional sacrifices at home;
WHEREAS, New York State, local governments and the private
					 sector should work together to ensure that our military personnel called to
					 active duty and their families receive the support and protection they
					 deserve;
WHEREAS, I have proposed the Patriot Plan -- a
					 comprehensive package of benefits and protections for New York's citizen
					 soldiers and their families;
WHEREAS, the Patriot Plan will assist troops and their
					 families who face potential added expenses and disruptions caused by being
					 called to active duty; and
WHEREAS, while many elements of the Patriot Plan require
					 legislative action, certain measures can and should be implemented through
					 administrative actions of the State of New York and its agencies and
					 departments.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE E. PATAKI, Governor of the State
					 of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
					 Laws of the State of New York, do hereby make the following orders to ensure
					 that appropriate protections and benefits are extended to members of the
					 reserve armed forces of the United States and the organized militia of this
					 State:
1. I hereby order the Director
				  of the Office of Employee Relations to negotiate appropriate extensions to
				  current agreements regarding supplemental military leave benefits for New York
				  State employees and order the Commissioner of the Department of Civil Service
				  to amend the Attendance Rules for Employees in New York State Departments and
				  Institutions in furtherance of those negotiated extensions to continue
				  supplemental military leave benefits for New York State employees who are
				  ordered to active military duty relating to the war on terrorism and military
				  action in Iraq. In addition, I encourage all other public and private employers
				  to recognize the sacrifices made by their employees who are called to active
				  duty by extending paid leave, as well as other appropriate benefits, to these
				  brave citizen soldiers.
2. I hereby
				  order the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to provide automatic
				  extensions of driver's licenses and motor vehicle registrations that would
				  otherwise expire for New Yorkers who have been ordered to active military duty
				  relating to the war on terrorism and military action in Iraq.
3. I hereby order that the State University
				  of New York and the City University of New York make available to family
				  members of the reserve armed forces of the United States and the organized
				  militia of this state called to active duty, computer facilities for the
				  purpose of facilitating e-mail and, to the extent practicable,
				  video-conferencing between military personnel and their loved ones for the
				  duration of their deployment. In addition, I hereby encourage all pubic
				  [public] libraries, institutions of higher learning and any other public and
				  private entities to also make such facilities and services available.
4. I hereby order the Commissioner of the
				  Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to provide Empire
				  Passports to the families of reservists and members of the National Guard to
				  allow the families of our military personnel to enjoy the State's parks,
				  beaches and other natural resources free of charge.
Signed: George E. PatakiDated: March 24,
					 2003