Lawmakers finally agree on lottery guidelines
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The bad news is such a plan could land another financial albatross around the state’s neck, according to one legislator.
After yesterday’s session, the Senate and House have now both approved a lottery scholarship bill which only needs the governor’s signature to go into effect.
The big change with the final bill is that qualifying students must have either a 3.0 GPA or a 19 ACT score to become eligible for a scholarship. Before, it was suggested that students have both a 3.0 GPA and at least a 19 ACT.
“This is right on the borderline of giving a college scholarship to people who have taken remedial classes,” said state Rep. Judd Matheny, who indicated he was in favor of implementing a more conservative first-year scholarship program. “I’m afraid the general fund is going to have to bail out the program. It could be a runaway program.”
By lowering academic requirements, it’s been estimated lottery scholarships will cost the state around $50 million more. State Sen. Jerry Cooper, known for his longtime support of education, says the important thing is the lottery is still projected to cover the cost of all scholarships and more Tennessee students will now have the opportunity to attend college.
“I think it’s a good bill,” said Cooper. “It lets a lot more scholarships be available to a lot more folks.”
State Sen. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) has been pushing for a state lottery for 18 years. He called the legislation an “excellent bill.”
Scholarships are expected to be available in fall 2004 to entering freshmen.