Halter Pitches Lottery To Democrats
Last updated Tuesday, August 19, 2008 9:17 PM CDT in News
By Dan Craft
The Morning News
SPRINGDALE - Lt. Gov. Bill Halter doesn't dispute that a state lottery will have an impact on low-income families.
While opponents of Halter's proposed lottery claim it will take money out of low-income pockets, scholarship money generated by the lottery will help break the cycle of poverty through college education, Halter told the Senior Democrats of Northwest Arkansas.
"There's nothing in the water that says we've got to be 49th" in per capita income or in the percentage of adults with college degrees, Halter said on Tuesday.
"I don't want my daughters to have to hear the phrase 'Thank God for Mississippi,'" he said.
If approved by voters in November, a lottery could be up and running within about 14 months, with the first of $100 million in annual scholarships handed out a few months later, Halter said.
"We're not preventing anyone in Arkansas from purchasing a lottery ticket now. They're crossing state lines by the tens of thousands to do it, and we're paying to educate kids in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee," Halter said. "We need to bring some of that Arkansas money back home."
Officials in Missouri and Oklahoma have estimated they will lose $10 million to $12 million and $25 million to $30 million, respectively, in annual sales if Arkansas creates its own lottery.
Some local residents questioned how much money would go toward scholarships compared with prizes and lottery administration - and how many scholarships would be handed out.
Such decisions will have to be made by the General Assembly if the constitutional amendment passes in November, Halter said.
"We'd feel more comfortable voting on this if we had more details," said Bill Williams of Bella Vista, a candidate for Benton County judge.
Lottery officials in other states have warned against dedicating a specific percentage of revenue to scholarships, as it can lower prize money and lessen the competitiveness of the lottery, Halter said.
Several attendees spoke out against the lottery.
"I'm opposed to this gambling proposal. I don't want to see casinos in Arkansas," said Lyell Thompson of Fayetteville.
Opponents have questioned whether the wording of the proposed amendment fails to define lotteries adequately and whether it excludes other forms of gambling such as casinos.
"That's just not true," Halter said. "Everybody walking down the street knows what a lottery is."
Mississippi is the only state bordering Arkansas that does not have a lottery.
Reader Comments (3 comment(s))
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Slystephy wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:21 AM:
As with anything it is called moderation. I'm so tired of hearing "these poor people are going to spend all their money" boohocky!!! Chances are if they are going to gamble they already are with all the states except one not having a lottery!! Heck we have the Ponies in Hot Springs!!!! "
UAfootball wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:05 AM:
Thank you Lt. Governor Halter! 49th overall with adults with college degrees is an embarrassment. "
Not already registered?
LostInLowell wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:11 PM: