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State would distribute $106 million if voters and legislature approve
Published on Wednesday, Nov 07, 2007
Associated Press
COLUMBUS: It's time Ohio began rewarding the new generation of military veterans by providing them bonuses, much the way it gave back to veterans dating to World War I, state Treasurer Richard Cordray said Tuesday.
The state would pay about $106 million in bonuses to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan wars if the Legislature and voters approve the idea, Cordray said. Voters approved constitutional amendments to provide such assistance to veterans of World War I and II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Cordray seeks a ballot issue that would ask voters to amend the state constitution to allow the state to issue bonds to pay for the bonuses of up to $1,000 for military personnel and up to $5,000 for families of those killed in action.
''While modest, these benefits recognize the service of our war veterans and help with their transition back to civilian life,'' he said.
Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Massachusetts are among the states offering bonuses to veterans who served in the Gulf, Afghanistan or Iraq wars. New Hampshire offered bonuses to Gulf War veterans.
Ohio traditionally has used the ballot to pay such bonuses, and they would cost taxpayers nothing.
Under Cordray's plan, the legislature would decide whether to put the amendment on the ballot next year.
If legislators decline, Cordray could circulate petitions seeking voter signatures to place the amendment on the ballot. Cordray said he doubted that would be necessary because legislative leaders have been receptive to the idea.
''When there's consensus for an amendment, it's pretty easy for the legislature to put it on'' the ballot, Cordray said.
Rep. Peter Ujvagi, D-Toledo, an advocate of veterans' issues, began looking Tuesday for co-sponsors of a resolution that would authorize the amendment for the ballot. Karen Tabor, spokeswoman for House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Dayton, said the speaker had not reviewed Cordray's proposal and had no immediate comment.
The bonuses would provide up to $1,000 for military personnel who served in the Persian Gulf War and in current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, up to $500 to those serving elsewhere in the same timeframes, and $5,000 to families of those killed in action.
The legislature also is considering a bill that would end the tax on military pensions. It has the support of both Husted and Senate President Bill Harris, R-Ashland, a retired Marine major.
Cordray's proposal was prompted by Capt. Thomas Germano of Mentor, an Iraq war veteran and West Point graduate who had asked Cordray's office if Ohio offered financial benefits for veterans.
''I know the citizens of Ohio would want something like this to exist,'' Germano said. ''The citizens of Ohio could make a decision to at least show a symbolic support. In a lot of cases, it would help a lot of families.''
Ohio has a tradition of rewarding veterans though bonuses and other rewards such as land grants and relief for families of soldiers who were off fighting the Civil War, Cordray said.
''The history of our state is also the story of America's veterans. Our state has not only been shaped literally but figuratively by the military,'' he said.
Although Americans remain divided by the Iraq war, the bonus program offers Ohioans a chance to weigh in on how returning veterans are treated, Cordray said.
''This is very much Ohio's tradition. I'd like to believe this generation has the same commitment that previous generations have had,'' he said.
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