(AP) -- A lawmaker wants to offer free college tuition to all Michigan high school graduates by creating three special lotteries and asking casinos to voluntarily give the state another 1 percent of their gross receipts. Democratic Rep. Fred Durhal Jr. of Detroit hopes the rest of the money for his proposed constitutional amendment would come from the generosity of corporations, foundations and residents who give some of their income tax refund by checking a box on their state income tax form.
To qualify, students would have to live in Michigan for at least five years before graduating high school and have at least a 2.5 GPA. They also must do a year of community service. The tuition plan would not pay for room and board, textbooks and other fees. Durhal estimates it would cost $1.7 billion over a four-year period to pay for his proposal announced Monday.
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