The program fosters mutual support for veterans and their families, through coffee, gatherings and other activities. âAlthough there were many things in that budget that I felt â and I know my colleague, Assemblyman Steve Hawley, felt were terrible for our constituents and for the state of New York â like all budgets there were some things in there that were beneficial, and things he and I and my colleague, Lynne Johnson (chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature) have championed for many years, and thatâs what we are going to talk about today,â said state Sen. Rob Ortt, R-Tonawanda, himself a veteran.