Article X
Sec. 23a: The state shall borrow not to exceed $270,000,000.00, pledge its faith and credit and issue its serial notes or serial bonds therefor, for the purpose of paying to each person, or if deceased to the surviving husband or wife, child or children, or to the surviving dependent mother, father, person standing in loco parentis, brothers and sisters, in the order named, of any person who served in the military, naval, marine or coast guard forces of the United States, including women serving in auxiliary branches thereof, between September 16, 1940, and June 30, 1946, who served honorably and faithfully therein during said period, who was a resident of this state at the time of entering such service and for a period of at least 6 months prior to entering therein, and whose service continued for more than 60 days during said period, the sum of $10.00 for each month, or major fraction thereof, of service during said period in any state of the United States, and the District of Columbia, and the sum of $15.00 for each month, or major fraction thereof, of service during said period outside any state of the United States, and the District of Columbia, but not to exceed a total payment of $500.00 to any 1 person: Provided, That there shall be paid to the surviving husband or wife, child or children, or to the surviving dependent mother, father, person standing in loco parentis, brothers and sisters, in the order named, of each person who has heretofore died or who shall hereafter die from service connected causes incurred between September 16, 1940, and June 30, 1946, a sum equal to the difference between what he has received and the sum of $500.00.
The legislature is authorized and directed to provide for the issuance of serial notes or serial bonds, for the method of and eligibility for payment of the sums herein directed and for the retirement of such notes and bonds as shall be issued hereunder. The legislature is authorized and directed to provide for the borrowing of the money herein provided at the lowest possible cost to the state, and is further authorized and directed to provide by taxation or other means for the retirement of the debt at the earliest possible time. In the event that the cost of the payments herein provided shall be greater than the amount authorized to be borrowed, the legislature is authorized and directed to provide for the payment thereof from the general fund of the state.
