Battle ensues for possibility of state-run lottery
James Baker
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: News
The battle over a state-run scholarship lottery rages on as motions to take the ballot measure off the ballot have been entered into the state Supreme Court.
However, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter maintains his optimism for the proposal that would amend the state constitution, he said in a telephone interview.
Halter projected a state-run lottery would produce $100 million in scholarship money and triple the current state assistance available for college students across the state.
"Arkansas families are under a great deal of pressure right now, and tuition has gone up," Halter said. "It's an opportunity to provide assistance to families and students."
Halter also said that tens of thousands of Arkansans have been traveling over state lines to play the lotteries in states like Oklahoma and Texas, where some of the most successful retail locations are on the border with Arkansas.
Last month North Carolina decided to go with a lottery, making Arkansas one of eight states left without one. Nearly 94 percent of the American population lives in states with lotteries, Halter said.
Over $1 billion has been collected in college scholarships and grants for Kentucky students over the last 10 years through the state lottery, it was announced Thursday.
"I think it's a great idea," junior Ramsay Fulbright said. "Especially since Arkansas is so low on the food chain in education."
Fulbright said opponents of the lottery weren't giving people a fair chance to vote on it.
"If people want to spend their money, that's for the person to decide, not the state or a narrow interest group," Fulbright said.
"Yeah, man, let's do it," added senior Clayton Fiscus.
Only West Virginia is ranked lower than Arkansas in the number of working individuals with a college education, Halter said.
The Arkansas Family Council has been the main opponent of the ballot measure.
On Sept. 19, the conservative interest group brought its lawsuit before the state Supreme Court, claiming that a change to the current amendment would open the door for casinos and gambling.
However, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter maintains his optimism for the proposal that would amend the state constitution, he said in a telephone interview.
Halter projected a state-run lottery would produce $100 million in scholarship money and triple the current state assistance available for college students across the state.
"Arkansas families are under a great deal of pressure right now, and tuition has gone up," Halter said. "It's an opportunity to provide assistance to families and students."
Halter also said that tens of thousands of Arkansans have been traveling over state lines to play the lotteries in states like Oklahoma and Texas, where some of the most successful retail locations are on the border with Arkansas.
Last month North Carolina decided to go with a lottery, making Arkansas one of eight states left without one. Nearly 94 percent of the American population lives in states with lotteries, Halter said.
Over $1 billion has been collected in college scholarships and grants for Kentucky students over the last 10 years through the state lottery, it was announced Thursday.
"I think it's a great idea," junior Ramsay Fulbright said. "Especially since Arkansas is so low on the food chain in education."
Fulbright said opponents of the lottery weren't giving people a fair chance to vote on it.
"If people want to spend their money, that's for the person to decide, not the state or a narrow interest group," Fulbright said.
"Yeah, man, let's do it," added senior Clayton Fiscus.
Only West Virginia is ranked lower than Arkansas in the number of working individuals with a college education, Halter said.
The Arkansas Family Council has been the main opponent of the ballot measure.
On Sept. 19, the conservative interest group brought its lawsuit before the state Supreme Court, claiming that a change to the current amendment would open the door for casinos and gambling.
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