An Ohio state representative is trying to block the state's $5 million vaccine lottery
- An Ohio state lawmaker says she'll try to block the state's vaccine lottery.
- GOP Rep. Jena Powell told CNN's "New Day" on Monday that the lottery is a "gross misuse" of taxpayer money.
- The lottery will award $1 million jackpots to 5 Ohio residents who get vaccinated.
A local Ohio representative says she's drafting a bill that would block the state's COVID-19 vaccine lottery.
Republican State Rep. Jena Powell told CNN's "New Day" on Monday that the lottery - which will offer five vaccinated Ohioans $1 million jackpots - is a "gross misuse of taxpayer dollars."
"It feels like a bribe to Ohioans," she said. "[They] don't want gimmicky programs."
Powell told FOX 19 on Saturday that the money would be better used to help small businesses and other COVID-19 relief.
"I think some of the areas that are struggling are small businesses, so we give a small percentage to the relief fund or children," she said. "I know there's a lot of mental health issues going around with children, so those would be two of the areas that we've really pinpointed that we could use that federal funding for."
Ohio is one of several states - including New York and Maryland -offering lottery tickets for those who get vaccinated against the coronavirus.