§ 31. Legislative findings. The legislature hereby finds that it is estimated that over the next five years, forty-four thousand veterans are expected to return to this state from their military posts, making the Empire State home to one of the largest veteran populations in the country. Shockingly, the unemployment rate for Post-9/11 veterans in New York was 10.7% in two thousand twelve, which is nearly one percent higher than the national average and higher than the state's overall 8.2% unemployment rate. The legislature has found previously that it is in the interest of the state to ensure that returning veterans have employment opportunities available upon their separation from military service.

The state already encourages private businesses to hire military veterans through tax credits and other economic incentives. In addition, the legislature has previously found that state agencies spend millions of dollars annually on temporary staff hired from temporary employment service companies to cover temporary staffing needs. These temporary state jobs could serve as a bridge for recently discharged military veterans who have yet to find full-time permanent work. In addition, these temporary assignments could serve to develop the next generation of the state workforce and help with succession planning for the current workforce.

The legislature declares it to be the policy of this state to use veterans for temporary appointments in state agencies rather than utilizing temporary employment service companies in order to provide employment opportunities for returning military veterans.