A plan to use riverboat gambling revenue to offset any shortfall in state aid for TOPS sputtered and was shelved Tuesday in a House committee. <\/p>\n
State Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, sponsor of the bill, withdrew his proposal after it sparked questions and concerns. <\/p>\n
TOPS stands for Taylor Opportunity Program for Students. <\/p>\n
+5 <\/p>\n
A bill that would require TOPS recipients who leave the state to repay some of their assista <\/p>\n
It finances college tuition, and in some cases other costs, for students who meet academic guidelines. <\/p>\n
About 50,000 students get the assistance. <\/p>\n
However, the program faces a shortage of about $80 million for the 2017-18 college year, and was underfunded for the 2016-17 school year. <\/p>\n
+3 <\/p>\n
In a bipartisan but controversial push, two state lawmakers have filed bills that would make <\/p>\n
Foil proposed using riverboat gambling dollars to offset any shortages. <\/p>\n
The Republican said lots of his constituents already think gambling proceeds are used for education. <\/p>\n
However, Foil said only 25 percent of riverboat revenue goes for education while 65 percent is earmarked for the state general fund, which finances a wide range of services. <\/p>\n
\"I believe we have an obligation that, if the students meet the requirements, the program should be funded,\" he said of TOPS. <\/p>\n
State Rep. Patricia Smith, D-Baton Rouge, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, noted that TOPS would be fully funded under the operating budget approved last week by the state House. <\/p>\n
Whether that plan will be changed when the Senate comes up with its own budget proposal is unclear. <\/p>\n
Smith also said riverboat gambling money has slipped in recent years. <\/p>\n
Others noted Foil's bill would mean less money for other state services amid recurring financial problems. <\/p>\n
Rep. Walt Leger III, D-New Orleans, another committee member, said while he appreciated Foil's goals he planned to offer an amendment to instead direct some gambling money to the state Board of Regents for a wide range of higher education needs. <\/p>\n
State aid for colleges and universities has been cut by about $700 million in the past seven years. <\/p>\n
Leger's comments caused Foil to say he would voluntarily defer his bill, which means it is likely dead for the session. <\/p>\n
\"I understand the concerns of the committee,\" he said. <\/p>\n
The legislation is House Bill 91. <\/p>\n
Foil is one of two sponsors of bills set for hearings on Wednesday. <\/p>\n
Both would increase the GPA needed for students to qualify for TOPS. <\/p>\n
Follow Will Sentell on Twitter, @WillSentell. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
See the original post here:<\/p>\n
TOPS proposal to use gambling revenue for funding sparks concerns -- then is shelved - The Advocate<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A plan to use riverboat gambling revenue to offset any shortfall in state aid for TOPS sputtered and was shelved Tuesday in a House committee. State Rep. Franklin Foil, R-Baton Rouge, sponsor of the bill, withdrew his proposal after it sparked questions and concerns Continue reading