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Schumer, In Lewis County, Stumps For Tax Credits

Story Published: Oct 16, 2012 at 11:41 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 16, 2012 at 11:41 PM EDT

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer called on Congress Tuesday to extend a tax credit for businesses hiring veterans.

The 'Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors Tax Credits,' passed in November of 2011, provides tax breaks of up to $9,600 to employers for each veteran they hire. It's due to expire in December.

Schumer made his pitch Tuesday afternoon in Lyons Falls, at the Otis Technology plant.

The expiration of the tax credit "would be a devastating blow" to companies that hire veterans, Schumer said in prepared remarks.

"It's the right thing to do to honor the sacrifices" of soldiers, Schumer said.

One of those veterans, Tom Thompson, was at work at Otis Technology Tuesday.

Thompson served 20 years in the United States Marines.

"Veterans bring a big, big plus to the industry,"  Thompson said. "They bring a lot from their past in the military." 

"We have been there on the front lines with our soldiers with the product that we make and I think it's very critical and important that we're there for them when they come home," said Doreen Garrett, the chief operating officer of Otis Technology.

Schumer is one of the two or three most powerful Democrats in Congress, but he acknowledged Tuesday it may be difficult to get the tax credit extended.

"People hold things up," Schumer said. "They say, "I'm not going to pass this unless you pass my thing." So what we're trying to do here is break this out of the typical fighting that goes on in Washington and say the veterans are special, do this separately." 
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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