Letter: How North Dakota can respond to Minnesota’s free tuition plan

Thank you to The Forum for your coverage of the of the

North Dakota college presidents’ concern

regarding Minnesota’s free tuition plan. This issue will have an impact on all North Dakota campuses that recruit students from Minnesota.

Every problem has its own unique opportunity and it’s time to think outside the box, like the time when Bison football fans joined the opposing team makers to snatch up all the tickets! That was brilliant.

North Dakota has a lottery but does not have scratch-off games. Minnesota does. The proceeds from Minnesota’s scratch games

go toward the environment.

What I wouldn’t give to buy a North Dakota scratch ticket knowing my money will help pay a North Dakota student’s tuition. I’ve given enough help to Minnesota’s environment.

This is

not a new idea.

Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, South Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee currently fund merit-based scholarship programs from lottery funds.

Right now,

North Dakota lottery funds

are appropriated:

• Compulsive Gambling Prevention and Treatment Fund: 1% 
• Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Grant Fund: 2% 
• Prize reserve pools: 1% 
• State General Fund: 22%

Nothing is allocated directly to our environment or education.
I hope this letter encourages some dialog at least. Maybe even pay for school lunches.

Patti Heisler is a resident of Fargo.

This letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Forum’s editorial board nor Forum ownership.