Cuyahoga County budget proposal for 2012 includes scholarship money

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald has long argued there"s a  link between education and economic development.

Education was a key plank in his candidate policy proposals. He championed programs like early childhood education and higher education.

"It is impossible to talk honestly about economic development without addressing its foundations in human development,” he said in Cuyahoga County Commitment to Education.

Among his promises: Offer college scholarships to county residents.

In his State of the County Address in April, FitzGerald outlined a way to make $16 million a year available for several programs, including the scholarship program. He proposed diverting 10 percent of county sales tax revenue to generate the money.

On Oct. 11, 2011, he unveiled a balanced two-year budget plan that made room for the scholarship program and other development plans.     For 2012, FitzGerald has set aside $6 million for scholarships.

While FitzGerald has outlined funding for the plan, we cannot yet rate this Promise Kept. Details for the awarding of scholarships still have to be worked out. And before that happens, the budget still must work its way through the Cuyahoga County Council, which ultimately will administer the scholarship program..

Under the county charter, the County Council has the responsibility to pass an annual budget. It will begin holding hearings Oct. 17, 2011, and conclude Dec. 6. The new two-year budget takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.

Still, working it into the budget shows FitzGerald has made progress on the plan. On this promise we"ll set the Fitz-O-Meter at In the Works.