Lawmaker wants to expand use of lottery proceeds

Raleigh, N.C. — The way lottery proceeds go to benefit education in North Carolina needs to change, at least one state lawmaker says.

This fiscal year, the lottery raised nearly $319 million for public schools, while state education leaders say they are facing a $50 million budget shortfall in diesel fuel costs and teacher bonuses.

Lottery funds must go to uses designated by legislation, including school construction, early childhood education and scholarships.

State Sen. Phil Berger, R-Guilford, said uses for lottery funds need to be expanded to allow them to pay for anything related to schools.

"The message was being delivered that if we pass the lottery, we'll have plenty of money for education. That's just not the case," Berger said.

However, other state lawmakers, including Sen. Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, said changing that formula would be harmful.

"Of course, it would hurt the programs it was intended for," Rand said.

He said legislators must work to find funding sources for bonuses and fuel elsewhere.

"We are going to make sure we take care of our children," he said.

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this is just like hiway taxes going to social services they put it where they wont it not where its supposed to go an hiways go lacking attention because of slackers infect truth

alwayslovingu30
June 27, 2008 2:44 p.m.

North carolina Education lottery what A joke.Key voters not present 4 A reason they opposed it an the others didnt wont them 2 black ball the lottery.They passed it illegally,laws were broken but no charges were filed hmmmmmm politics again.The state of virginia passed its lottery saying the same thing education they always paas it off on education but its the politics behind the schemes infect truth

alwayslovingu30
June 27, 2008 2:43 p.m.

TEACHER BONUSES ??????? I'm going to puke!

YeaOh
June 27, 2008 2:26 p.m.

"The message was being delivered that if we pass the lottery, we'll have plenty of money for education. That's just not the case," Berger said.

I'd like for him to show me where anyone said that. He's full of balony

Karmageddon
June 27, 2008 1:24 p.m.

Here we go.........to pass the Lottery - Easley makes a pact in the middle of the night - a pay-off for a key representative not to be present at the vote....The public is promised funds go to education and only education.....and now here we see the first hole in the dam...........before long - it will be raided to fund our fine democratic representatives pay raises..

short
June 27, 2008 9:51 a.m.