Governor wants new cabinet post for veterans' affairs

Gov. Ted Strickland today signed an executive order to create a study council that will help establish a cabinet-level Ohio Department of Veterans Affairs. Its report is due by the end of the year.

The Governor's cabinet already is comprised of the heads of 22 agencies.

Veterans services currently are handled by a myriad of different state, county and federal agencies in Ohio including the Governor's Office of Veterans' Affairs, Ohio Veterans Home Agency and Ohio Adjutant General, among others. Strickland aims to reorganize many of the services under one agency.

"For too long, Ohio's veterans have not been receiving the support or services they deserve," Strickland's order says.

Strickland also asked his Office of Budget and Management for a financial review of services provided to veterans by various state entities and agencies including the Adjutant General, Ohio Veterans Home Agency, the Governor's Office of Veterans' Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Department of Job and Family Services, Adjutant General, Department of Education, Board of Regents and Attorney General.