Ohio Voters Approve Bonuses For Veterans
Published: November 3, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohio voters have opened their wallets to veterans, easily approving bonuses of up to $1,000 for those who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan or Iraq.
Voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday authorizing $200 million in bonds to be issued to pay for the bonuses, which will amount to $100 a month up to $1,000.
With 44 percent of precincts reporting, Issue 1 is passing 73 percent to 27 percent.
Veterans who served outside war zones during those conflicts will get $50 a month up to $500. Family members may also apply for a death benefit of $5,000, which will be based on an application process.
This marks the first time the state will pay bonuses for a war that hasn’t ended, but Ohio has paid similar veterans’ bonuses throughout history.
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Reader Reactions
Americans know how Army Ranger Pat Tillman would have voted, if you don’t -
read ‘Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman’ by Jon Krakauer.
Demiurge, believe it or not measures like this have already been in place for years - just in a different form.
I’m in the military and have been deployed three times. Ohio has been repaying the premium we pay for life insurance while overseas.
And while I agree that there are other civil servants that deserve credit, I don’t see them making the same sacrifices as I or my Soldiers did. They get to go home every night, take regular showers, eat real food, and get decent sleep. Not to mention days off. Am I saying they aren’t important and haven’t sacrificed? No, of course not. I’m just saying that some sacrifice more than others - and that’s who will benefit from this bill.
Thanks for the support everyone.
I voted against this measure. Why should Ohio put itself in debt to give bonuses to federal employees? If the veterans have disabilities that resulted from their deployment, this should be taken care of by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, not the State of Ohio.
I have yet to hear any justification for this measure other than “support our troops”. Would a similar measure for teachers or ATF agents pass? Or are we not supposed to support them?
Even though I have a family member heading for Afghanistan in the near future, I was torn a little on this because it represents raising more debt and we already have a budget shortfall to fill. In the end I vored yes because I do support the troops. I hope this one works out.
Yes Ohioans this military family thanks you for showing your support for our troops.
Thank You Ohio for this very generous gift and God Bless our troops
They deserve every penny they get and more, God bless and thank you for the continuing service to our great country!
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