NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A revised proposal that would make cutting some students' lottery scholarships in half contingent on lottery revenues is advancing in the Senate.
The Republican-backed measure passed the Senate Education Committee 7-2 on Wednesday. The companion bill was to be heard in the House Education Committee later in the day.
The original legislation sought to reduce by 50 percent the award for students who do not meet both standardized testing and high school grade requirements.
Opponents have said the bill is unnecessary because the lottery's education proceeds have increased 4 percent since 2005, with about $10 million more coming in a year.
Under the new legislation, the lottery scholarship requirements won't change if the $10 million is sustained through 2015.
On Tuesday, Tennessee Lottery officials announced record sales of $130 million in February.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
