Zeldin, Gaughran raise voices

Legislation passed both the State Senate and the Assembly in this year’s session that would extend the same benefits to 9/11 civilian responders who are in the state and local retirement system or the teachers’ retirement system and are now sick. Gaughran says that about 600 additional people would be covered under the new bill. But the governor hasn’t yet called for the bill.

“There are a lot of very sick people out there,” Gaughran told The Point. “Whatever time they have left, it’s the obligation of the state of New York to give them the same financial assistance that was given to the other heroes. These folks are just as much heroes as anyone else.They worked alongside the other heroes [who are covered].”

Gaughran said he didn’t think the 2005 law intended to leave anyone out, but he wants to take care of “the people who fell through the cracks.”

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