N.Y. VET Law § 2

§ 2. Department of veterans' services. There is hereby created a\ndepartment of veterans' services. The head of such department shall be\nthe New York state commissioner of veterans' services who shall be a\nveteran. He or she shall be appointed by the governor and shall hold\noffice during his or her pleasure. Such state commissioner shall receive\nan annual salary to be fixed by the governor within the limitation\nprovided by law. He or she shall also be entitled to receive his or her\nexpenses actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in the\nperformance of his or her duties. The state commissioner, with the\napproval of the governor, may establish such bureaus within the\ndepartment as are necessary and appropriate to carrying out its\nfunctions and may consolidate or abolish such bureaus. The state\ncommissioner may appoint such officers, consultants, clerks and other\nemployees and agents as he or she may deem necessary, fix their\ncompensation within the limitation provided by law, and prescribe their\nduties.\n