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North Carolina approves lottery by one vote
Chicago Sun-Times, Aug 31, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina is set to become the final state on the East Coast to start a lottery after the lieutenant governor broke a Senate tie Tuesday, when two opponents were absent.
Supporters have been trying to legalize the game for more than 20 years.
Gov. Mike Easley is expected to sign the legislation creating the lottery, a cause he's championed since his election in 2001.
The lottery appeared all but defeated last week, when the Senate left Raleigh after backers failed to persuade any of the five Democrats and 21 Republicans who have opposed its creation for weeks to switch their vote.
On Tuesday, with two Republicans absent, Senate Democrats had the votes to pass the legislation creating a lottery.
An April vote in the House was nearly as close, with the lottery passing by just two votes.
The legislation will funnel net proceeds to public school construction, college scholarships and class-size reduction and preschool programs.
GOP lottery opponents argued it's an inefficient way to raise money and sends the message to children that gambling is the way to solve the state's financial problems.
"Is this a lesson we teach our children: 'Don't do your homework, don't work hard, you'll make it rich.'" Sen. Andrew Brock said.
AP
Copyright The Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
Chicago Sun-Times, Aug 31, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina is set to become the final state on the East Coast to start a lottery after the lieutenant governor broke a Senate tie Tuesday, when two opponents were absent.
Supporters have been trying to legalize the game for more than 20 years.
Gov. Mike Easley is expected to sign the legislation creating the lottery, a cause he's championed since his election in 2001.
The lottery appeared all but defeated last week, when the Senate left Raleigh after backers failed to persuade any of the five Democrats and 21 Republicans who have opposed its creation for weeks to switch their vote.
On Tuesday, with two Republicans absent, Senate Democrats had the votes to pass the legislation creating a lottery.
An April vote in the House was nearly as close, with the lottery passing by just two votes.
The legislation will funnel net proceeds to public school construction, college scholarships and class-size reduction and preschool programs.
GOP lottery opponents argued it's an inefficient way to raise money and sends the message to children that gambling is the way to solve the state's financial problems.
"Is this a lesson we teach our children: 'Don't do your homework, don't work hard, you'll make it rich.'" Sen. Andrew Brock said.
AP
Copyright The Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.
I always thought my state would be the last state to adopt a lottery
. This is one issuse I agree with Republicans on, a lottery is a regressive tax and an inefficant way to raise money.
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