Video, Audio, Photos & Rush Transcript: Governor Hochul Signs Legislation Quadrupling New York State Tax Credit for Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers

Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to quadruple New York State's personal income tax credit for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, providing financial relief to first responders who dedicate their time to protecting communities across the state. The Governor also announced $1 million in state funding for the Village of Hempstead Volunteer Fire Department in Nassau County to purchase new radio equipment. The investment will allow the department to replace outdated radios that have limited functionality inside burning buildings, improving emergency communication among first responders operating in dangerous conditions.

VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

AUDIO: The Governor's remarks are available in audio form here.

PHOTOS of the event will be available on the Governor's Flickr page.

A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:

 It is a glorious day to be here at the Village of Hempstead Fire Department. Please sit down. I have been joined by some extraordinary leaders. They've been recognized. I want to give a special shout-out to all my partners in state government, assemblymembers, our senators.

You'll be hearing from Monica Martinez, our senator. Karen McMahon — you may not be familiar with her, but she's from the other side of the state. Yes, there is another part of the state outside of Long Island. And she's actually from my home turf. She is one of the sponsors of the bills along with Senator Martinez. So I wanted to make sure you hear from them and our other electeds who've been here.

But this is a very special place. For over 200 years, the men and women of this department have provided absolutely vital life-saving protection to this community, and we owe you all a huge debt of gratitude. And this is a place I feel really at home. I'm joined here by my husband of 42 years — your First Gentleman, Bill Hochul — and he spent his career as a federal prosecutor and worked very closely with our emergency services. And we also remember our time together — 14 years on a local town board. And we had 10 volunteer fire companies in our town, and every one of them had an installation dinner. So do the math, that's 140 better meals than he got at home.

So my husband always looked forward to when we'd do our installations every year, and I remember one time I was supposed to be the emcee, one of my — I think my first year, they asked me to be the emcee. Now, computers were very primitive at the time. There was no such thing as AI. But you could still do a search of, I was trying to find “clean firefighter jokes,” and it came up “none found.”

So I've been — I'm trying, I’m trying, I’m trying. But for all those years, I developed such a huge appreciation for the work that they do. And they'd celebrate the most frequent first responders and tell stories every year, and it really brought us into the sense of family that was so powerful. And for many of them, it was generational. They're there with their mothers or fathers who had served, and their grandfathers or their grandmothers who served, and it really was a community event. So I never stopped being in awe of the firefighters that I got to know in those years and have stayed very close.

When you think about the training that goes into this — the long hours, the time away from family, but also the fact that anyone can serve — this is a very special group, but most people are saying “no.” They're declining the opportunity to be part of this elite service because they don't have the same courage that you do, the willingness to say, “I am going to go wherever the job calls me, without fear for myself, my own safety. I'm willing to put my life on the line for others.” And that is powerful.

Every one of you wearing the uniform, that is something you agreed to do just to protect strangers, perhaps, or neighbors and community members. And I want to continue supporting as the Governor, and that's why last month I was here on Long Island to announce another $25 million investment on our volunteer firefighter program to help you, and that's on top of the other $25 million I did.

So do the quick math, my friends. That's $50 million we've invested in our V-FIRE support for firefighters all over this state. And these funds go out to the volunteer fire companies all over New York. Help you purchase the critical firefighting equipment, life-saving equipment, the firefighting gear and improve facilities because otherwise if we're not doing it, it goes back on your local tax bill for people, and we're trying to just lift that burden as well.

But our support is not stopping there. Today, I am really proud to announce that I'm signing a bill that recognizes the sacrifices, that acknowledges all of you, our EMT workers, our firefighters, all the time away from loved ones, all the little league games missed, all the holiday meals, all the house repairs put off, all those nights of sleep you just did not get.

And to all this, I want to do something in return on behalf of the people of the great State of New York, and put a little more money back in your pockets as a small form of gratitude. So that's why today we're increasing the state personal income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers from $200 to $800 — quadrupling the credit — quadrupling. And from $400 to $1,600 for married couples.

Now, this was a long effort. You guys are pretty good at this. Everywhere I went, no matter what, any time walking down the streets in our communities all over New York, I heard from our firefighters, and I want you to know how much your communities appreciate you. They really do. They wanted to make sure I understood, too, how important this was, as well as your legislators who'll be talking about it momentarily. But it's just one way of showing appreciation for those in the service, but maybe it'll help us with our recruitment. I've talked to so many of you, and the issue is trying to get the next generation, because families are busy, and more people are working, and the struggles are great.

And to volunteer the time away from perhaps a paid job that could help your family pay the bills is a bigger sacrifice. And I wanted you to know how much we recognize that and want to do what we can to recruit people into this firefighter service as well. So here's what we're going to do: Continue supporting you, say thank you.

And, also, before I conclude, I have one order of business. Here I am in the Village of Hempstead Fire Department. I actually brought some support for your efforts. I understand you need to replace some radios. I don't know how old your radios are, but how old are the radios? Old? Old. Okay. They've got old radios, and they want new radios. So we want to make sure that you can communicate with each other better to get the support you need if you're into a burning building and can get the resources you need to help save a life.

So I hope you don't need them in that context, but I wanted you to know that we are here to support you, and I want to bring up some — I guess I'm presenting to you. Where's my check? What the heck? Volunteer Firefighters for the Village of Hempstead. All right. How does $1 million sound?

Thank you all again to the volunteer firefighters here in the Village of Hempstead and all over the great State of New York. And to all the 80,000 firefighters across New York, I am grateful, and I want the 80,000 to be 90,000, 100,000, and let's make that happen.

I also want to introduce one of your greatest friends, one of your strongest champions, who's been advocating for you for a long time for this benefit, and that is your senator, Monica Martinez. Senator Martinez.

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