Ohio to Vote on Cash Benefits for Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans

On November 3rd, Ohio voters will head to the polls to decide whether or not Iraq and Afghanistan veterans should receive cash bonuses from the state. The ballot addition passed the Senate in February, but was added to the ballot after a 92-3 vote in the House. However, despite the overwhelming support for the ballot initiative, there was much disagreement as to what would be the most fiscally responsible way to implement the plan.

If the vote goes in favor of the plan, it would provide $100 a month – up to $1,000 – for veterans who served in the conflicts and bonuses of $50 a month — up to $500 — for veterans who served elsewhere during the conflicts. Families of those killed in action would receive $5,000. In order to pay for the bonuses, the state would borrow money by issuing up to $200 million in bonds. This is the same approach that has been used in previous wars.

Rep. Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) was one of the few that voted "no" on the issue. Stebelton sees it as a "dishonor" to the veterans if they borrow the bonus money and thinks it would be like "asking them to pay for their own bonuses."

However, Rep. Robert Hagan (D-Youngstown) said he was "flabbergasted" by talk of fiscal responsibility after the federal government had sent American troops to a war that was "perhaps ... based on fictional information."

Regardless, American citizens and especially veterans need all the help they can get. Many provisions are being taken to help everyone out, including loan modifications and much more, but the main thing is that no matter the state of the economy, our veterans are treated well.