As promised, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland last week vetoed a veteran’s bonus bill that was funded through dipping into the state’s rainy-day fund. He had earlier vowed to veto the bill unless it was funded through the issuance of bonds.
One of lawmakers’ top priorities as they reconvened this month, the $200 million measure would provide bonuses of up to $1,000 to veterans of recent wars. While popular with all lawmakers, top Republicans opposed the use of debt to finance the measure as it was originally introduced, and amended it to use $200 million from the $1 billion rainy-day fund.
After Strickland vetoed the measure, some lawmakers said they would reintroduce it again using bonds as the revenue source, according to local reports.
“The people of Ohio have a long history of providing bonuses to Ohio veterans through bonding and this symbol of support, and the more responsible method of financing it, should be continued today,” said Strickland in a statement.
