Vet Bill Sponsored by O.C. Legislators Signed Into Law

Part of a bill put forward by Ocean County state legislators to give a leg up to veteran business owners has been signed into law, and Republican state Sen. Christopher J. Connors (R-Ocean) said his delegation is happy that New Jersey will now put a greater focus on awarding state contracts to business owners who have served in the military.

The Veteran-Owned Business Assistance Act requires the Department of Treasury to give due consideration to businesses owned by military veterans when awarding contracts. Treasury will also consult with the Economic Development Authority (EDA) and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMAVA) to find more ways to encourage veteran-owned businesses to get involved in procuring contracts.

The legislation was introduced by Connors and his 9th District colleagues in the State Assembly, Brian Rumpf and DiAnne Gove, and was supported by many in the southern Ocean County district, Connors said.

The signing of the legislation didn't give the delegation everything it asked for, however.

Connors said Gov. Chris Christie struck one important provision from the law that would have mandated 3 percent of state contracts be awarded to businesses owned by veterans. Ultimately, Connors said, the Christie administration felt the provision could impact the state's flexibility in hiring contractors. 

But, he said, Christie's conditional veto included recommendations that preserved the spirit of the bill, which was to reward the sacrifices of veterans who not only served, but walked away from good jobs in order to do so, and returned to a tough economy.

"It was to assist them and recognize not only the commitment that they make, but also to put them back on good footing economically and give them whatever boost we possibly could," Connors said.

Even without the 3-percent set-aside, he said, he believes the legislation will be effective in directing more business to veterans. 

"It changes the overall policy of the state in terms of dealing with veteran-owned businesses," Connors said, and directs Treasury – which is the department responsible for procurement – to develop strategies to promote those businesses. And, he said, "If nothing else, we drew recognition for the issue of returning servicemen and women."