A veto from the governor won't stop the efforts of supporters for the "Death Gamble" bill for correctional officers.

"It's still a priority for me," said State Senator Patty Ritchie.

The bill proposed to increase benefits paid to families of working correctional officers that die after being eligible for retirement. Currently, the state pays a lump sum if this happens. But if a retiree dies, the family continues to get pension payments, resulting in much more money.

"That retirement benefit would go a lot further for their beneficiaries," said New York State Correctional Officers and PBA President Michael Powers.

On Monday, Ritchie and Powers visited facilities in Watertown and Cape Vincent -- tours planned before the veto -- as an opportunity to regroup.

"I think it just makes it that much more important to be out here to tour the facility, talk to those that work here and stress that this is still a priority for me," said Ritchie.

Powers says the lack of benefit puts facilities at risk because it doesn't "pay" for experienced correctional officers to stay.

"Our concern is having this death gamble legislation vetoed that we are going to lose a good amount of our experienced staff," said Powers.

He says there are 2,700 officers eligible for retirement, yet they are still working. 

Although the bill has been vetoed, Powers says Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to talk about the overall benefits at the contract negotiations table.