California’s lottery jackpot could be getting bigger.
Backers of the proposed legislation say it could increase the amount of money the California Lottery pays to schools, from $1 billion to $1.4 billion, according to one estimate. But some educators are skeptical, The Times’ Patrick McGreevy writes in PolitiCal, The Times’ blog on politics in California.
Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Castro Valley) said her legislation
would ultimately mean more money for education, but the United Teachers Los Angeles objected during a committee hearing, saying it would allow
funds to be shifted from education to prizes.
Voters approved the lottery in 1984 with a requirement that at least
84% of the money go back to the public, at least 50% in prizes and 34%
to schools. Hayashi’s proposal would increase the amount going back to
the public to 87%, which would allow more revenue to be be put into jackpots, but would leave it to the Lottery Commission to decide how
much goes to education.
Should California increase its lottery jackpots? Share your views below.
Photo: Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times
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