COLUMBUS, Ohio — Veterans Day is meant to honor those who have served, and many of them lost their lives fighting for the United States. Some Ohio veterans want the state to fight better for them.

While at Veterans Day Ceremony in GreenArmy veteran Rodney Yeargin reflected on his time in the service.

“(The day is) realizing and understanding the honor and separation that they went through,” Yeargin said.

Although numbers vary between state and federal databases, the state reported it has nearly 700,000 veterans.

Ohio has a wealth of resources for veterans, from educational opportunities – like a fast track to earning college credits – to employment assistance, like the specific career program to help veterans to find a job.

Some of these programs have benefited state Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson), an Air Force veteran who serves on the House Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee.

“We do a lot of work on accessibility of services and trying to improve the lifestyle of veterans here in Ohio,” Weinstein said.

But Yeargin says Ohio could do better.

“The state should do more, particularly for the homeless,” he said. “There are too many who commit suicide (sic), there are too many who sit in the street in boxes.”

There are more than 630 unhoused veterans in Ohio, according to federal data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Additionally, more than 7 percent of all Ohio veterans live in poverty.

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Fortunately, the Sub Zero Mission organization is dedicated to helping veterans facing homelessness.

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One unhoused veteran is too many, Weinstein said, and he and the committee are currently considering bills to make housing more affordable.

“We’re always trying to work to alleviate financial hardship – and in particular, things around property tax relief, homestead exemptions, things that can create and alleviate financial hardship for veterans,” he said. he declared.

However, due to bickering between the leaders of each chamber, the bills have stalled. The House and Senate agree to help veterans, but can’t agree on how to do it.

An example of this is HB 187, originally a property tax relief bill proposed by House lawmakers. This would have changed the way property taxes are determined and increased property exemptions.

The Senate, however, amended it to focus on the financially vulnerable, which the House will now have to accept. This would result in immediate property tax relief for eligible disabled veterans. The bill’s sponsors are not happy with the changes.

At this point, no one can benefit from the property tax relief.

The House also sent HB 57, which specifically addressed a property tax exemption for disabled veterans. He sits in the Senate.

“It’s very frustrating to me to see a common goal, but things are disrupted by infighting, which slows us down and slows down our ability to provide the really essential support that those who have served us need,” Weinstein said .

Health care is also a major challenge, Yeargin added.

Ohio has several different medical programs, such as the new Veterans Crisis Line, which you can access by calling 988 if you are experiencing mental health issues. Counties also provide transportation to VA appointments.

But some veterans still struggle to keep up with the costs of these medical bills.

“It should be all veterans, for all things, all the time, regardless of status,” Yeargin said. “Many medical services require payment.”

Efforts are underway to dedicate more money to veterans’ services in the next state budget.

Resources for Veterans

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