Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland said in a statement that he would veto legislation in its current form that would pay Ohio veterans a bonus using rainy-day funds.

"I strongly support honoring Ohio veterans with a bonus paid for by selling bonds, just as our state has done in the past and just as the Ohio Senate has voted to do," Strickland said. "However, considering the historic budget challenges before us, I do not believe it is fiscally responsible to pay for this worthy priority with rainy-day funds that are designed to be used for budget emergencies.  Therefore, if the bill remains in its current form I would veto it." 

The idea to provide bonuses of $500 to $1,000 to veterans of current and recent Middle Eastern military conflicts has bipartisan support in the Statehouse. And the total cost of the new bonuses would be about $150 million.

House Speaker Jon Husted (R-Kettering) has said he supports taking that money out of the state's rainy day fund. Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland) has said that the state needs to find a way to pay for the bonuses as it has always done.