Veteran bonus plan moves forward despite money crunch

The huge projected shortfall in the state budget doesn't seem to be slowing down a proposal to give bonuses to modern-day Ohio veterans. Despite a forecast that the budget could be as much as $1.9 billion in the red, the Ohio Senate Finance Committee Tuesday recommended the full Senate approve it. If it passes both the Senate and House with at least 60 percent support, it will go on the November ballot for the voters to decide. Under this proposed constitutional amendment, vets who served in war zones could receive up to a thousand dollars in bonuses and vets who served in other areas could receive up to $500.