Columbus , OH -Senate Joint Resolution 5, the Veterans’ Service Bonus Amendment, today passed the Ohio Senate by a vote of 30-0.

Senator Tim Grendell introduced SJR 5 in the Senate earlier this month.

The proposed Constitutional Amendment was initiated by Treasurer Cordray last year after a soldier serving in Iraq identified the need. In the past, the state has offered a bonus to Ohio veterans of World Wars I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.

“On behalf of the servicemen and women of Ohio, I’m grateful to the Senate for their leadership on this proposal,” said Treasurer Cordray. “Their quick action and strong bipartisan support sends the right message to our recent veterans: we support and thank you.”

Senator Grendell quoted George Washington, who said “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.”

If passed by voters, the proposed amendment would provide for monthly compensation of $100 for veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq, up to $1,000; and monthly compensation of $50 for those serving elsewhere during these conflicts, up to $500. Family members of those killed in action would receive $5,000 in addition to any other allowable compensation.

Treasurer Cordray recommends that the state continue to follow tradition by issuing bonds to support the program, as it did with the previous four measures. “Issuing bonds to pay for the veterans’ service bonus especially makes sense right now because interest rates are dropping,” Cordray said. “Using bonds lowers both the overall cost and the up-front cost of these benefits, and no debt service payment would have to be made until the next biennial budget,” he added.