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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > March > 02 > Entry
Vets’ bonus proposal appears headed for ballot
A proposal to give Ohio voters the chance to approve cash bonuses for veterans of the Persian Gulf War and the continued fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan appears headed for final legislative passage on Tuesday, March 3.
If, as expected, the House approves the resolution, Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chesterland, the original backer of the plan, said he would begin working with veterans groups and Bill Hartnett, director of the veterans’ affairs department, to lead a campaign to win passage on the Nov. 3 ballot. The Senate approved the resolution in February.
In normal economic times getting voter approval wouldn’t be a problem but with the economy in tatters, “we better make sure we spend …time making sure the message” gets out, said Grendell. He took up the cause in 2007 after the proposal first came from then state Treasurer Richard Cordray, a Democrat who’s now attorney general.
Gov. Ted Strickland does not have to sign the resolution to get it on the ballot but has indicated he supports the effort.
The plan would provide up to $100 a month - up to a maximum of $1,000 - for veterans who served in the conflicts and bonuses of $50 a month - up to a maximum of $500 - for veterans who served elsewhere during the conflicts. The state would borrow money by issuing bonds to pay for the bonuses.
Last year Strickland vetoed legislation that called for using money from the state’s “rainy day” fund to pay for the bonuses. The “rainy day” fund money now is included in Strickland’s proposed two-year budget proposal.
The state previously has approved bonds to provide cash benefits to veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, but none since then.
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Comments
By britt
March 3, 2009 2:31 AM | Link to this
I lived in Co after I was discharged. I moved to Ohio in 87. I never saw a bonus. In fact when I got my disability pension a couple years ago the VA said the over paid me 300 on GI bill for school. With interest it was over 2 grand. They took every penny of it out of my back pay. I didnt know the bonus was Ohio only!By Joan
March 2, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this
My husband retired AF in early 70’s. He was from Va. who never gave a bonus for anything. I am happy to see we are acknowledging the sacrifices our people have made and also their families. Moving yearly, bad housing, overseas separations. Yes, give them the bonus. I will gratefully vote for it.By Wordell
March 2, 2009 7:18 PM | Link to this
My parent’s weren’t “the first ones on their block, to have their boy come home in a box”….(IE: anti-Vietnam War song verse from Country Joe & The Fish), so the bonus paid by Ohio in the 70’s to Ohio Nam’ vets was appreciated. I used the money to help bury my Dad.By Ethel S
March 2, 2009 7:08 PM | Link to this
Vets and their families have to make more sacrifices than most other workers and some even make the ultimate sacrifice. The Vet bonus is a token of appreciation from a grateful Ohio!By Lax20
March 2, 2009 5:48 PM | Link to this
Yes, Ohio provided a bonus to Vietnam era Vets. If you served in Nam you received more than those who served elsewhere during the conflict. I want to say $500 for Vietnam and $250 for all others.By jim
March 2, 2009 5:43 PM | Link to this
I am tired of giving my hard earned money away. These people signed up on their own free will and received due compensation. Thank you to them, but why do we owe them more?By Hops98
March 2, 2009 5:37 PM | Link to this
Yes, Veitnam vets recieved a bonus, I recieved 500.00, in or around 1974, took a nice vacation, won’t do that today on 500.00. I support the bonus 100%By J.H. Tidyman
March 2, 2009 5:06 PM | Link to this
i’m pretty sure we got a bonus … what the hell did it matter to the lamebrains in goverment? they had just finished sending 57,000 boys to their deaths, destroyed the culture, economy and beauty of viet nam, and wasted billions of dollars. an extra few hundred to the guys who came home was a distraction, not a reward.By J.H. Tidyman
March 2, 2009 5:05 PM | Link to this
i’m pretty sure we got a bonus … what the hell did it matter to the lamebrains in goverment? they had just finished sending 57,000 boys to their deaths, destroyed the culture, economy and beauty of viet nam, and wasted billions of dollars. an extra few hundred to the guys who came home was a distraction, not a reward.By TRS
March 2, 2009 5:01 PM | Link to this
britt - I’m a Viet era vet and I do believe we did receive a bonus some years back. I tried to google and there is info about Ohio paying one, but I’ll be darned if I can remember it or how much.By GR
March 2, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
Great idea. Let’s show veterans that we appreciate the sacrifices they made, and will continue to make. God bless AmericaBy britt
March 2, 2009 4:28 PM | Link to this
When I first saw that the stated bones was for vet since the start of desert storm, it really irked me. I was in during the VietNam conflict and as far as I know we never recieved anything. Whats this about us already getting it? Todays “Army” is 100% votunteer. They also recieve a liveable wage. I went in as a draftee and while I was in basic we recieved the first “big” pay raise. E-1 went up to 320.70/month! Less than 100/week! Plus current elistment bonuses can be in excess of 30K. Show Me the Money!!!!