(Marlboro, New Jersey) Due to his active commitment toward veteran causes, the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce (NJSVCC) proudly announced that New Jersey Senator Vin Gopal has been chosen as NJ Lawmaker of the Year. Since being elected as senator of the 11th District of New Jersey in November 2017, Gopal has supported multiple bills intended to improve conditions for the state’s veteran community. He now serves as chair of the senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, from where he lends further support to key areas of concern.

This includes ongoing support for Senate Bill S1866, which proposes a 10% price preference for bids submitted by service-disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOBs) for state contracts. This means that if a SDVOB bid for a state contract is within 10 percent of the lowest bidder, then the SDVOB would be awarded the contract. If passed, this bill would provide a tremendous boost to the state’s disabled veteran business owners. Gopal opined that this bill would allow for historically disadvantaged service-disabled veterans to have the same economic opportunities as everyone else, in order to reap the rewards of the freedom and independence they sacrificed to preserve.

Among other bills supported by Godal is a bill which would extend the $250 veteran property tax deduction for veterans and their surviving spouses to cover residential units in continuing care communities. Under current law, the $250 deduction is applicable only to privately owned residential homes. He also leant his support to senate bill S3789, which proposes expanded veteran access to vocational education.

Gopal’s enthusiasm for supporting veterans goes beyond promoting legislation. This past Saturday, the Vin Gopal Civic Association hosted a Community Fair and Family Day at Joe Palaia Park in Ocean Township to benefit Monmouth County veteran’s groups, including local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion posts heavily impacted by COVID-19. Though attendance was free, donations were encouraged and the event, which featured live music and inflatable rides, was sponsored by a handfull of companies such as La Dolce Bakery, Legacy Pharmacy Group and World Auto Group.

Gopal considers Monmouth County his home and is ever in search of opportunities to give back to the community, as both senator and through the many charitable events and volunteer causes in which he participates. His family arrived in Neptune, New Jersey, from India in the early 1970s, where he was born. He was raised a short distance away in Freehold. He earned his undergraduate degree at Penn State, and his masters at Rutgers. He currently resides in nearby Long Branch, where he is a small business owner. He is also the state’s first Indian American senator.

The NJSVCC is a 501 C (6) nonprofit organization focused on veteran business advocacy, education, networking, procurement and supplier diversity events, with the end goal of making New Jersey’s economny fairer to veteran owned businesses.