Democrats introduce own version of Guinn’s scholarship plan

Tuesday, March 23, 1999 | 11:18 a.m.

AB652 would allocate 25 percent of the anticipated $48 million a year in tobacco settlement money to a scholarship program for high school students to attend the University and Community College System of Nevada.

Guinn's SB496 would allocate 50 percent of the tobacco money to a scholarship program.

The Assembly measure contains accountability measures to ensure scholarship funds are used for tuition, textbooks or other education expenses and that students who take advantage of the program stay in school.

The measure also requires limits so the wealthy are not eligible for the plan. The financial limits would be established by university regents. Guinn's bill has no income restrictions on who is eligible for the scholarships, but does include some accountability measures.

The Assembly bill would make scholarships available first to students who want to pursue a career in health care or education or who have actively participated in anti-smoking, alcohol and drug programs.

Students who earn at least a B average and who have lived in Nevada for two years also would be eligible for the scholarships, the same as in the Guinn plan. Scholarships could amount to $2,500 a year for attending a university to $1,250 a year for attending a community college.

An additional 65 percent of the tobacco settlement money would be spent on health care programs, with 10 percent set aside as a trust fund, in the Assembly proposal.