AMONG THE BILLS IN SANTA FE DESIGNED TO KEEP THE LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SOLVENT IS ONE WITH A TWIST. STATE SENATOR BILL PAYNE SAYS HIS LEGISLATION, SENATE BILL 379, WOULD TURN THE JOB OF ALLOCATING LOTTERY MONEY TO SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. HE SAYS THEY KNOW THE NEEDS OF THEIR STUDENTS BETTER THAN LEGISLATORS.
PAYNE SAYS IT'S NEVER BEFORE BUT MAKES THE FUND SOLVENT AS IT'S NO LONGER DEPENDENT ON ENROLLMENT THAT REQUIRES MORE AND MORE MONEY. WHATEVER IS APPROPRIATED FOR THE LOTTERY IS DISTRIBUTED EQUITABLY AND EACH SCHOOL HAS TO LIVE WITHIN ITS MEANS.
PAYNE TELLS US THE SCHOOLS COULD DECIDE TO FOCUS ON "NEEDS" BASED STUDENTS, OR OFFER THE SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTRACT STUDENTS TO CERTAIN PROGRAMS.
