House, Senate Differ on Lottery Scholarship Changes

The State House Education Committee today revised its plan to overhaul the lottery scholarship program, even as the Senate is poised to vote on a different version.

Both bills lower the GPA needed to retain a scholarship to 2.75. But they differ when it comes to the finer points, such as eligibility for certain categories of students. The House essentially reverted to the measure it passed in a floor vote last year-full of details that the Senate changed.

An estimated 31 million dollars will be available for lottery scholarship next year. By design, the House version would cost several million more. Chairman Les Winningham told the committee that allows room for negotiation with the Senate.

“We understand it’s gonna have to be cut and I could cut it right now, unilaterally, ya’ll could cut it right now, but I think we need to keep all of these issues on the table.”

But with only three paid days left in the legislative session, there’s not much time to hammer out the differences.