Editorial: State Lottery - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: State Lottery

Posted: Updated: Feb 14, 2012 06:20 PM CST
By Collin R. Gaston - bio | email

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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

There has been some talk about a potential "silver bullet" in the form of a state Lottery that would be a source of new state revenue shoring up the gaps in funding.  While it is true a lottery would create additional revenue for our state it is important that we think through the unintended consequences of such a decision before pulling the trigger.

We don't need another situation like the one we are dealing with now regarding those things unintended – i.e. Immigration Law. 

A couple of questions come to mind as we enter into a possible Lottery consideration phase.  If we add revenue to the state budgets through a new lottery program will we then not address the fundamental need to operate within our means and end wasteful spending and/or consider tax increases?  

With the ongoing gambling corruption trial – is now the right time to approve government sponsored gambling in our state?  Will the additional tax revenue go to schools as most state sponsored lotteries claim or will this money be diverted to other less deserving programs?   

What we don't need right now are distracted lawmakers as they should be making the hard decisions about how to balance the budgets without the benefit of a lottery.  

We need your full attention as we all have a lot on the line right now.   

We appreciate and encourage your feedback.

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