State Rep Wants To Stop Governor's "Vax-A-Million Drawing"

Calling the “Vax-A-Million Drawing” from Gov. Mike DeWine a “waste of money,” Rep. Jena Powell, R- Arcanum is looking for some way to stop it. Powell, one of the most outspoken critics of DeWine in the Ohio General Assembly even though they are both Republicans, told News Center 7 that she is not impressed with DeWine’s justification for the give-away to promote more vaccinations.

“We need to stop it at all cost.  This shows Ohioans how much frivolous money is spent of taxpayer dollars. That’s why as legislators we need to look at every dollar that’s spent,” Powell said.

DeWine’s plan is to hold a series of five drawings, one a week for five weeks. Each week a person’s name would be chosen from two lists. The first is the Ohio voter registration list. The second is a special yet-to-be-created state web site where non-voters can sign-up for the drawing. If the person whose name is drawn can demonstrate that they have at least one coronavirus vaccination shot before the drawing they win $1 million.

The state also plans to create another sign-up web site for children age 12-17 who have begun the vaccination process. Names selected will win a full college scholarship with room, board, tuition and books at any one of Ohio’s state universities.

Criticism of the drawing has become louder and more bi-partisan since it was first announced. Rep. Willis Blackshear Jr., D- Dayton, also joined the chorus of critics.

“When I first hear about this, the first thing I thought about was Willy Wonka and the gold ticket,” Blackshear said with a laugh. “This doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know how he’s going to pull this off. How much of that will be taxed? These are just some of the things that I just don’t know.”

DeWine said this week he expected a wave of criticism, but believes the total of $5 million being given away would be well spent if it enticed more people to get the vaccine. Powell remains an opponent of the plan, saying that she will consult with attorneys at the Statehouse in search of some way to block the drawing.

“We are looking into it. Is this the best use of taxpayer dollars? Is it really legal to do this,” Powell said.

DeWine said earlier that he believed he had the legal authority to do the drawing, the first of which would come May 26.