If Ohio's students have more opportunities to work for in-state businesses while they are in school, more of them will stay in Ohio after graduation and help reverse the state's "brain drain," state leaders said Wednesday in announcing a plan to boost the flagging economy.

A story from the AP says, the state plans to spend $250 million over five years to create more internships and co-op programs at businesses in Ohio, which would match each state dollar with their own investments. It's part of a $1.57 billion economic recovery plan unveiled by Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland and Republican legislative leaders.

The economic combined elements of a $1.7 billion bond package that Strickland proposed during his February State of the State address with the ideas of House Speaker Jon Husted and Senate President Bill Harris. The Republican legislative leaders had said they could not support Strickland's original plan because it would burden the state with $1.5 billion more in debt obligations backed by the state's general revenue.

The compromise calls for considerably less new debt while investing in many of Strickland's priorities including local infrastructure, land conservation and advanced energy technologies such as wind, solar and cleaner-coal.

But the Campaign For Tobacco-Free Kids said Strickland's plan will drastically reduce funding for the state's tobacco prevention program.