Assembly firefighter tax credit bill fails to leave committee

PLATTSBURGH — Efforts to move out of committee a New York State Assembly bill that would have provided income tax credits of up to $2,500 to volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance corps members stalled last week.

The vote to remove the bill from the Ways and Means Committee on April 22 failed, 52-83.

The bill was first introduced by 121st District Assembly member Joseph Angelino, a Republican, on January 18, 2025. The 83 no votes were from Democratic assembly members, including 115th District Assembly member Michael Cashman (D-Plattsburgh).

Assemblyman Matt Simpson (R-C., Adirondack), co-sponsor of the bill, voted yes.

If passed, this bill would have brought volunteer firefighters and members of a volunteer ambulance corps closer to eligibility for tax credits. If a volunteer met the requirements of being in good standing for at least five years and maintaining continuous eligibility in the state, they could be eligible under the proposed law.

In a post on his Facebook page April 22 after the vote, Angelino said the bill had sat in committee without action for months.

“I forced a vote with an Assembly rule known as the ‘Discharge Motion,’” he wrote. “Members of the majority would not allow my bill to be presented for an up or down vote.”

“A tax credit now seems like a pretty sound investment in the future of the fire service,” he told the Assembly before the vote.

Asked for an interview about his vote on Thursday, Cashman explained his vote in a statement:

“Bill A01064 was in committee, like thousands of other bills that go through the legislative process. The New York process is complex by design; committees exist and review, debate, and in some cases refine legislation. A motion was made to replace the committee process. The ensuing vote was procedural and failed, but not on the merits of the bill itself, as it sought to replace the committee process,” he said. written.

“I regularly participate in trainings, meet with local fire department leaders, and have hosted meetings across the District and in Albany to ensure their voices are heard. I continue to work with leaders directly from the NYS Fire Chiefs Association on legislative priorities that support our volunteer firefighters and EMS providers.

“I continue to support our volunteer firefighters across the state and push for legislation to advance through standard procedural channels.”

New York State Firefighters Association Secretary John D’Alessandro told the Press-Republican Friday that he hopes last week’s vote will be a catalyst for future legislation that will promote increased tax credits for firefighters.

“While we are always disappointed when a bill that would benefit volunteer firefighters does not advance through the legislative process, we understand that this was a procedural vote,” D’Alessandro said.

“This is not a vote on the merits of the bill, and we hope it serves as a catalyst to begin a real and productive discussion between FASNY and legislators to promote an increase in the state income tax credit.”

D’Alessandro said firefighters have not received an increase in their tax credit, currently at $250, since its inception more than two decades ago.

“While we greatly appreciate that an income tax credit is provided to volunteers, the fact is that in these economic times, $250 is not a great financial incentive to become a volunteer firefighter,” he said.

“I want to be forward-looking and positive…if this serves to bring people’s attention to an incentive, it would be very helpful to volunteer fire departments in their recruitment efforts.

“It’s certainly got a lot of legislators talking. We’re hoping that they, as I said, will begin a reasonable dialogue on this issue of increasing the state income tax credit so that departments have an important tool in their toolbox to hopefully attract new members.”