Sen. Chuck SchumerPLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York, says one of his priorities when Congress returns from its summer recess will be extending a tax credit for companies that hire veterans.
The Bombardier Rail Plant in Plattsburgh is one of them. Fifty of its 400 workers are veterans and the company says it plans to hire more. Employers can get tax credits worth up to nearly $10,000 if they hire unemployed vets with disabilities.
"Right now here in the North Country we have 1,167 veterans who are out of a job. Isn't that horrible? One is one too many, but to have 1,167 is bad. The unemployment rates among vets who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan is 16.7 percent in New York State," Schumer said.
During a tour of the Bombardier Plant Thursday, Schumer said he'll push to continue the tax credits that expire at the end of the year. He plans to include them in a package of tax breaks the Senate will vote on next month.
