Ohio Issue 1, Bonds for Veterans (2009)

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Ohio Issue 1, Bonds for Veterans appeared on the November 3, 2009 ballot in Ohio as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment, where it was approved. The measure added a Section 2r to Article VIII to the Ohio Constitution.

Issue 1 authorized the state of Ohio to borrow and spend $200 million to "provide compensation to Ohio veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts, and to pay for the administration of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Bond Retirement Fund and the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Fund." Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Irag and Afghanistan are eligible to receive a $100 cash bonus for each month they served, not to exceed a total of $1,000 per veteran. Those who served in other locations are eligible to receive up to $500.

Election results

Ohio Issue 3 was approved by voters on the night of November 3, 2009. Below are election results according to the Ohio Secretary of State's office.

Issue 1
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		2,210,605	72.15%
No		853,331	27.85%

Ballot summary

According to the final ballot language, Issue 1:

• Authorized the state to issue up to two hundred million dollars ($200,000,000) of bonds to provide compensation to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts, and to pay for the administration of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Bond Retirement Fund and the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Fund.
• Authorized the Ohio Department of Veterans Services to provide compensation to persons who have served in active duty in the United States armed forces at any time during the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts and who were Ohio residents at the start of active duty services and are currently Ohio residents.
• Allowed certain survivors to receive the same compensation as the person who served in the armed forces would have received, if that person dies or is designated as missing in action or held in enemy captivity.
• Authorized the state to issue bonds only for the time period from the effective date of this amendment until December 31, 2013.

A "yes" vote approved the amendment, while a "no" vote is a rejected the amendment. A majority vote was required before the amendment was adopted.

Constitutional changes

See also: Amending the Ohio Constitution and Text of Issue 1, Ohio Bonds for Veterans

According to the text of the proposal, Issue 1 added Section 2r to Article 8 of the Ohio Constitution, which partially reads:

Text of Section 2r: (A) Upon the request of the department of veterans services, the Ohio public facilities commission shall proceed to issue and sell, from time to time, bonds or other obligations of the state in such amounts as are necessary to provide all or part of the funds as may be required to pay the compensation established by, and the expenses of administering, this section. The original principal amount of obligations so issued shall not exceed two hundred million dollars, provided that obligations issued under this section to retire or refund obligations previously issued under this section shall not be counted against that issuance limitation. The full faith and credit, revenue, and taxing power of the state is hereby pledged for payment of debt service on such obligations issued under this section, and the state covenants to continue the levy, collection, and application of sufficient state excises, taxes, and revenues to the extent needed for those purposes; provided that moneys referred to in Section 5a of Article XII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio may not be pledged or used for the payment of debt service. As used in this section, "debt service" means principal and interest and other accreted amounts payable on the obligations authorized by this section.

Support

The argument for Issue 1 was prepared by Senators Timothy Grendell, Thomas Patton, Tim Schaffer, Jason Wilson, Sue Morano and Representatives Peter Ujvagi, Raymond Pryor, Connie Pillich, Terry Boose and Ross McGregor. They were appointed by the 128th Ohio General Assembly to prepare the argument to do so.

The official argument in favor of Issue 1, read:

• Issue 1 extends a much-deserved 'thank you' to Ohio's servicemen and women.
  • Under Issue 1, Ohioans who fought in the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan could receive $100 per month of service, not to exceed $1,000, while soldiers who were stationed in other locations during these conflicts could receive $50 per month of service, not to exceed $500. These bonuses would not only show our state’s veterans that Ohio appreciates their service, but also help them transition from the military back to civilian life once their tours of duty are complete.

• Issue 1 helps Ohio's military families.
  • Issue 1 would offer a $5,000 death benefit to the families of soldiers killed in the line of duty.

• Issue 1 continues a longstanding Ohio tradition of supporting our veterans.
  • In 1921, Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment to give bonuses to soldiers returning home from World War I. Over the next several decades, Ohioans also passed similar measures to provide bonuses to veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Issue 1 continues this important recognition of our veterans. Passage of Issue 1 sends an important message that Ohio supports its veterans and their families, and we are grateful for everything they do for the country, this state and our local communities.

Opposition

In the absence of opposition in the state legislature, the Ohio Ballot Board prepared the argument. The board, however, does not take a position on any ballot issues.

The official argument against Issue 1, verbatim read:

• Issue 1 Would Authorize the Government to Spend More in Bond Money.
  • Economic conditions are poor. The state of Ohio must tighten its belt and spend only what is necessary and only what we can cover with incoming revenues. Issue 1 authorizes the government to take out more debts to provide for compensation to veterans of recent United States military conflicts – Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq. While this may be a worthwhile and noble endeavor, the State of Ohio should not be going further into debt.

• Passing Issue 1 Means Taxpayers Will have to Pay Back These Bonds.
  • Issue 1 authorizes $200 Million in debt to provide compensation to veterans of recent United States military conflicts. This money would have to be paid back in the future by Ohioans. This money could be retained by taxpayers who have suffered during the economic downturn. This money could be used by taxpayers for their own purposes or used for other plans and directly helping people in need.

National Taxpayers Union

The National Taxpayers Union (NTU) opposed Ohio's Issue 1 because they said the measure would raise taxes and expand government. The measure was listed on NTU's 2009 General Election Ballot Guide.

Campaign contributions

According to the Ohio Secretary of State's website search page, no known committees filed campaign finance forms in support or opposition of the measure.

Media editorial positions

Main article: Endorsements of Ohio ballot measures, 2009

Editorial boards in support

• The Toledo Free Press supported the measure. "There’s no cogent argument against supporting this issue, which is just the beginning when it comes to taking care of our veterans," wrote Michael Miller, Editor in Chief.

• The Columbus Dispatch supported the measure. "As a token of appreciation for this (military) sacrifice, Ohioans should help to ease the strains on Ohio's veterans and their families just a bit by voting yes on Issue 1 in the Nov. 3 election," said the editorial board.

• The Akron Beacon Journal supported Issue 1. "Ohio has a long tradition of providing bonus payments to military veterans. The compensation isn't large, by any means. It does express appreciation for the sacrifices of those who serve their country, often in the most difficult circumstances," said the board.

Editorial boards opposed

• The Mansfield News Journal was opposed to Issue 1. According to the editorial board, Issue 1 was a "good proposal, but should be rejected now because the state simply can't afford it." Although, the Mansfield News Journal was opposed to the 2009 measure, they said that they would hope it reappears in the future.

See also

• Ohio 2009 ballot measures
• 2009 ballot measures
• Bond issues in Ohio
• Bond issues in 2009

External links

• Voter's Guide to 2009 State Issues
• Text of Ohio Issue 1
• Ohio Issue 1, Final ballot language
• Official explanation of Issue 1
• Arguments submitted in favor of Issue 1
• Arguments submitted in opposition to Issue 1
• Ohio Secretary of State Official Website

Additional reading

• The Plain Dealer,"Get last-minute info on issues and polling places for Election Day Tuesday," November 2, 2009
• The Columbus Dispatch,"Casinos aren't only ballot issue," November 1, 2009
• The Community Common,"Three Issues Face Ohio Voters In Upcoming Election," October 30, 2009
• WCPO,"Ohio Issue #1 - Bonuses For Veterans," October 29, 2009