War Bond Ballot?

The Ohio Ballot Board last week approved final ballot language for a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to issue bonds to provide bonuses for recent war veterans.

Under the proposal, which voters will consider in November, the state would borrow up to $200 million to provide the bonuses to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq wars. Veterans would receive bonuses of up to $1,000.

The move comes after months of debate over how to fund the proposal. In January, Gov. Ted Strickland vetoed a bill that funded the program by dipping into the state's rainy-day fund.

The ballot board will meet again this week to decide on language for a controversial proposal that would allow casinos in Toledo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus.

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