Ohio is working to thank vets with greater access to state universities

Ohio is taking steps to show our appreciation, support and respect for veterans. Three initiatives, one of which is in place and two are pending, will demonstrate Ohio's commitment to helping veterans readjust to civilian life in a way that will allow them to gain educational and financial benefits.

The first proposal is an executive order recently signed by Gov. Ted Strickland with the recommendation of Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut. The Ohio G.I. Bill Promise will change Ohio's residence requirements to allow all veterans of the U.S. Armed Services, their spouses, and dependents who choose to attend Ohio colleges and universities to do so at in-state tuition rates, regardless of where they reside, according to a statement issued by Gov. Strickland.

Chancellor Fingerhut noted that "Ohio is opening its arms to members of the military and their families at a time when the state has made historic investments in its higher education system to spur economic growth. Veteran students bring maturity, motivation and leadership with them. They are precisely the kind of students Ohio needs in its colleges and universities."

In conjunction with the Ohio G.I. Bill Promise, I soon will be introducing legislation to provide free undergraduate tuition at Ohio's public institutions of higher education for any veteran who has received a Purple Heart or a medal of superior precedence.

Three other states (Utah, Florida and West Virginia) have similar programs in place, and combined with the Ohio G.I. Bill Promise, this legislation will help get veterans into our educational system and, eventually, into our state's workforce where they can use the leadership skills and experience they have obtained from their service to help move our economy in a positive election.

The third proposal deals with our state's tradition of awarding bonuses to veterans for their service in defense of our state and nation. During the Civil War, World War I, World War II and Korea, our state approved bonuses, usually paid for through bonding, to veterans returning home from war. In November 2007, State Treasurer Richard Cordray, in recognition of this custom of helping those who have done so much to help us, proposed a constitutional amendment to allow for the issuance of bonds to help give bonuses to the men and women of our state who are serving in or have served in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Persian Gulf.

The amendment "provides for compensation of $100 for each month served by veterans in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or 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."

The cost each year for the 15-year life of the bonds would be approximately $9.5 million per year of our state's $52 billion biennial budget. The amount of the bonus for each veteran is not a large sum of money but it is something our state can do to help veterans get readjusted to life in Ohio and to show our appreciation for everything they have done for our state and our nation.

The Veterans Bonus Amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 5, passed out of the Ohio Senate unanimously in January in plenty of time for the Ohio House of Representatives to pass the legislation and put it in front of voters in November. Unfortunately, the legislation has stalled in the House. I am hopeful that the powers that be will allow action on this important piece of legislation soon so that we can show our support for the troops through the issuance of these bonuses.

There are so many people throughout the 91st District and Ohio who support our troops and everything they do to protect us from harm. It is time that Ohio step up to the plate to demonstrate to our veterans that we are committed to improving their lives in the Buckeye State when they return home. These measures are good steps to solidifying that commitment.

Dan Dodd represents the 91st Ohio House District, which covers all or parts of Hocking, Licking, Perry and Pickaway counties. Dan lives outside of Hebron with his wife, Stephanie.