IT COMES DOWN TO THE LAST MINUTE IN THE ROUNDHOUSE. AS TIME RAN OUT ON THE 2014 SESSION, LAWMAKERS PASSED LEGISLATION TO KEEP THE LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM GOING IN THE YEARS AHEAD. STATE SENATOR CRAIG BRANDT SAYS THE BILL SHOULD PROVIDE FOR LONG-TERM SOLVENCY.
HE SAYS THEY NEVER HAVE TO RECONSIDER THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IF THEY DON'T WANT TO. BUT HE ADDS THEY CAN GO IN TO ADD APPROPRIATIONS TO INCREASE ITS FUNDING.
THE LEGISLATION HELPS FINANCE THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM BY USING SOME GENERAL FUNDS, THEN USING STATE LIQUOR TAX REVENUE. IT NOW GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR HER SIGNATURE.
