LOCAL HEADLINES
Bill to finance veterans' bonuses is introduced
Thursday, December 04, 2008
COLUMBUS — Legislation to use the state's "Rainy Day" fund for veterans' bonuses has begun its journey through the General Assembly.
The bill, introduced Tuesday, Dec. 2, would use the state's "savings account" for the bonuses, rather than putting them on the state's "credit card," according to House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering.
Gov. Ted Strickland supports borrowing money by issuing bonds to pay for the bonuses.
Ohio veterans of the 1990-91 Persian Gulf War and the ongoing fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan would qualify.
The plan calls for bonuses up to $1,000 for those who served in the conflicts and up to $500 for veterans who served elsewhere during the conflicts.
Also, family members of those killed in action would receive $5,000. An earlier estimate put the cost at about $105 million.
— Staff report


