Lottery Revenue Hasn't Hit The Jackpot
By Randy Krehbiel/Tulsa World ~ Oklahomans took odds on education in 2004 by making gambling a component of state education funding. Five years later, Oklahoma education hasn't exactly hit the jackpot — but it hasn't crapped out, either.
Since voters approved a state lottery and authorized the negotiation of tribal gaming compacts in November 2004, gambling has contributed $572.7 million to Oklahoma education.
That's well below projections, but still a significant sum.
"That's Gov. Henry's viewpoint," said Paul Sund, spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry. "That's (money) education wouldn't have had otherwise."
Gambling opponents dispute even that, however. Republicans, especially, are not hesitant to remind Henry, a popular Democrat, of the lottery's shortcomings.
Read the entire story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20090720_16_A1_OLHMIY421385.
Since voters approved a state lottery and authorized the negotiation of tribal gaming compacts in November 2004, gambling has contributed $572.7 million to Oklahoma education.
That's well below projections, but still a significant sum.
"That's Gov. Henry's viewpoint," said Paul Sund, spokesman for Gov. Brad Henry. "That's (money) education wouldn't have had otherwise."
Gambling opponents dispute even that, however. Republicans, especially, are not hesitant to remind Henry, a popular Democrat, of the lottery's shortcomings.
Read the entire story at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=12&articleid=20090720_16_A1_OLHMIY421385.
Labels: Brad Henry, Lottery
posted by Mike McCarville @ 7:18 AM
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