State lawmaker proposes funding for scholarships: Sell or lease Ohio Lottery and turnpike

COLUMBUS — A state lawmaker has proposed selling or leasing the Ohio Lottery and leasing the Ohio Turnpike to generate funding for college scholarships for more than 87,000 students each year.

Sen. Kevin Coughlin, a Republican from Cuyahoga Falls who also is running for his party’s nomination to face Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland next year, said he plans to introduce the legislation as a means of allowing more Ohioans to get a college degree and bolstering the state’s work force.

“This will be a one-of-a-kind program,” he said, adding, “This will make Ohio a destination, and it’s one of those courageous moves that I think the state ought to be taking to get us back on our feet.”

The scholarships would be open to students graduating in the top third of their high school class who have been Ohio residents for two years before graduation and who are enrolled at an Ohio college or university.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com