Bipartisan Measure To Reward Ohio’s War Veterans

Release:

Columbus—State Reps. Terry Boose (R-Norwalk) and Connie Pillich (D-Montgomery) yesterday introduced House Bill 461, which when enacted will authorize the Department of Veterans Services to award veterans of the conflicts in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan bonuses of up to $1000 for their service.

“This is about taking care of the families who are making the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedom as Ohioans,” said Boose. “It is not just our soldiers who make this sacrifice but their entire families, especially their spouses and children. These bonuses are a small price to pay compared to the cost of having a loved one deployed for months.”

House Bill 461 also works to make the Department of Veterans Services more efficient by working to provide improved services to our veterans at a lower cost to the taxpayer.

“We would not live in a free society if it weren’t for the sacrifices of war veterans,” Boose said. “This bill honors their sacrifices by making changes that will allow the Department of Veterans Services to operate in a more efficient manner.”

In November’s general election, Issue 1, a Constitutional amendment authorizing the state to issue bonds for veterans’ bonuses, was approved by more than 72 percent of Ohio’s voters. House Bill 461 will allow the state to pay the veterans these bonuses