Congressman Steve Cohen has written a guest editorial in The Tennessean expressing concern over the new academic standards the Tennessee State Legislature is trying to set for Hope Lottery Scholarships.
Excerpt:
I have read with concern about the legislation before the General Assembly to change the academic standards by which lottery HOPE scholarships are awarded.
The impetus for the change is ostensibly the fear that long-term lottery revenues will be insufficient to fund scholarships. While I do not concur, before denying students the opportunity to receive a HOPE scholarship, the expenditure of all lottery revenues should be examined.
As sponsor of the lottery referendum legislation, as well as the laws enacting the lottery and creating the scholarship program, I know the intent of the law. The HOPE scholarship was designed not only to reward but to inspire achievement. High school students who perform well academically can receive a college education without having to work a second job or graduate saddled with enormous debt.