Issue One: Should Ohio Veterans Be Paid Cash Bonuses?
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Issue 1: What Is It?
NBC 4's Patrick Preston explains what Issue 1 would mean for the state -- giving up to $1,000 bonuses to recent Ohio veterans.COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohio voters must decide next month whether to give recent Ohio veterans cash bonuses for their military service.
If Issue One passes, veterans that served in the Persian Gulf War, Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts would receive up to $1,000. Veterans who served elsewhere during those conflicts would receive up to $500. The families of soldiers killed in the line of duty would receive a $5,000 death benefit.
Rick Isbell flew recon missions for the Air Force during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. He now coordinates veterans affairs for the City of Columbus, and says many veterans could use the money.
“This is to give back to those who have already given so much for our country,“ Isbell said. “Last year, we had 400 homeless veterans that we helped and tried to help get off the land. This year we expect more.“
Ohio has a tradition of paying veterans for wartime military service dating back to World War One. There is no organized opposition to Issue One. The central question one might ask is how much it will cost taxpayers? To pay for the bonuses, the state would sell up to $200 million in bonds.
Bill Hartnett, director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, says with conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan continuing, the state does not have a firm count of veterans that would be eligible to collect.
“It depends upon how many veterans we have, which is what we can’t say, so the $200 million, we think is a safe number,“ Hartnett said.
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Reader Reactions
I truly need to respond to DD. Health benefits for unactive veterans are not the same as active duty soliders. My brother is a vertern of the first gulf war and quite frankly his benefits are horrible. He is unemployed, as many other Ohio citizens are. His only access to healthcare is through the VA. I cant even tell you how many times he has had to beg to get into see a doctor. He has to pay copay’s that he’s never had to pay before, and since he is unemployed he can’t afford to. Now he has a premium every year that he has to pay or he loses his benefits. Again he is umemployed. This money will help him keep his benefits and maybe be able to see a doctor for pain that he suffers because of the first war.
I was on the fence on this one (and I’m a “Golf War Vet” and retiree), but after reading “dd’s” lame excuse for voting no, I’m going to vote YES.
Yes, he’s right about them not being drafted, but without US volunteers to the Armed Forces, there would have had to be a draft in order to defend this country. As for the “signing bonuses”, “some” career fields would get them and a few will get some really good ones. the fertility treatments would fall under “a reason to stay in”(also known as retention benefit(you know, one less person to train)), so, yes dd, you did sound bad.
I hate to be the only one to think this…but I will be voting no for issue 1.
I do appreciate veterans, just as I appreciate other public servants.
I will vote no because veterans were not drafted as they were in prior wars (the article refers to a tradition), in fact, they are getting enormous signing bonuses. I feel it should be one or the other. Service to the country is a job. They get paid well, and get good health benefits, food, room, board, education, etc., etc., etc.
Not that I don’t appreciate what they do…but it is a choice to serve.
I know of a cook in the Army who had a $25,000 signing bonus…and just reenlisted…with another hefty bonus. Plans to retire after 20 years….at age 38. I know of another member of the services who is getting his wife’s fertility treatments 100%paid for thousands and thousands of dollars…and I can’t think of another health insurance program that would even consider chipping in for fertility treatments.
I think they are well taken care of as it is. I hope I don’t sound bad.
OhioBev, I couldn’t agree with you more.
Veterans IN EVERY STATE should be given bonuses. Much, much more than $500-$1,000! These are VOLUNTEERS and they deserve so much more than this country gives them. Seems like a much more worthwhile use of some of that stimulus money than what it’s being spent on.
I so wish we COULD give them the money.
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