What about the state lottery?

[Gale Richardson]

One oif the purposes for adopting the state lottery was to help support state funding. That was one issue that was used to pushed the lottery so that the lottery could bring in extra money for the schools. Are some counties receiving more than others or exactly how much funding actually goes to the schools? IPlease share your knowledge of the matter.

[Kevin Brady]

Hi Gale,

Thank you for your post on state lotteries. I am going to share a paper I recently published on the fiscal effectiveness of state lotteries nationwide, including the North Carolina lottery created recently in 2006.

Also, the question I have for you to consider (as well as anyone else in our school finance network) is the issue of whether state governments should be the business of lotteries for public education or anything else for that matter? Should lotteries be private? Also, is money generated by gambling an "ethical" source of revenue to support the state's public schools?

Good discussion post, Gale!

Thank you, Kevin

Please take a look my recent publication on state funded lotteries.

[Kathy Hamilton]

I love the idea of allowing the lottery to help fund college educations at State supported universities. I think it would be a great incentive for high school students (let it be based on merit, volunteerism, community involvement) and give our state's students an opportunity to make something great out of the gambling. I don't see it so much as an ethical issue here. If someone plays the lottery, it is an ethical issue for that person, not for the people who are benefiting from the proceeds.

[Venessa Smith]

Hello Gale,
In my area the funds that have been distributed from the lottery have varied. Not only have they vaied, but they haven't shown nor made any visible impact on resources for the schools that teachers have been able to note. The funds have not amounted to much once spread out either. The worst case situation is that most of our North Carolina gamblers continue to spend more money on the lottery in Virginia, in which we see no return of any kind.

[Gale Richardson]

My point . Really it increase gambling but I have yet to see a visible impact on schools. . how much does each school or county get ?

[Tina]

As a teacher I don't recall of hearing in the school as to how the lottery is helping the finance of the schools. I do remember reading in my local newspaper as to how Roanoke Rapids, Halifax Com, and Weldon City had given a proposal to the county commissioners as to how each intended to use lottery money (I don't remember the amount). I believe that most of the money in the proposal was for some type of construction or repair. I have not researched to find out if all counties are receive the same in funding. I think it would be interesting to do a survey to see how many pubic school personnel actually buy lottery tickets since it is for public schools.

Another thought just came to my mind- I had heard one time that Georgia used it's lottery money to pay the tuition for any senior in high school to go to college if they had a certain gpa. Is this true? Wouldn't that be a great thing for NC as well. There are a lot of capable and determined students who do not go to college because of financial situations.

[Gale Richardson]

I haven't heard my district mention lottery money and I never heard the finance officer say anything about it. That is a ggod purpose for the money to help college students with tutition. What a great idea!

[Kathy Hamilton]

Gale, I've had several questions about where the Lottery money is going as well. I asked this question just this week on Wendy's blog. Is any of the money going to assist the Leandro districts? It would be great to see where the money is going (line by line) beside in the commission's pockets. I think it would be great to ease some of the State's current burden by sending this money directly to the Leandro, Low wealth fund. The Low Wealth Fund is currently very underfunded (I think it is like $376.00 per child currently). Thanks for bringing this up! Kathy Hamilton

[Carolyn Mitchell]

Kathy, I totally agree that the Leandro districts could use the additional monies to supplement the Leandro money; however, I am not aware of any of the state lottery money in our county (a Leandro district). You state that we need a line by line statement of where the money is going. I concur, because in my view of things, I do not see any educational benefits from the EDUCATION LOTTERY. Since the lottery has been in place, I actually think we have less dollars in our county.

[Tina]

I think a line by line statement is a wonderful idea. The lottery is targeted as an education lottery but do the people know exactly how it benefits education. I think individual counties should be responsible for informing people of how the money is being spent.

[Mary Earp]

I have heard several incidences when the suggestion to use the state lottery money to assist with fiscal needs in the schools was denied because the need did not meet the criteria for use. What specifically can the state lottery money be used? I have heard a variety of answers that have reflected just as many agendas. Thanks for clarifying this!