Senate bill filed for state lottery
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 10:49 AM CST
Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — A state senator who filed legislation Friday to set up a state-run lottery for college scholarships said an independent board or commission, not a state agency, should be in charge of running the games.
Sen. Terry Smith, D-Hot Springs, also said he hopes scholarships will be made available to non-traditional students, not just those who good straight to college out of high school.
“I think it should be available to the person who makes $9 an hour and wakes up one day and decides they need a college education,” Smith said.
Senate Bill 26, pre-filed for the 2009 regular session, is a shell bill that will be amended later with more specifics on how lottery should work.
Arkansas voters on Nov. 4 approved a constitutional amendment authorizing a state-run lottery to raise money for scholarships. The amendment left the mechanics the lottery for the Legislature to develop.
Smith said he would prefer creation of an independent group, perhaps a board of directors or a commission, to oversee the lottery rather than a state agency. The Legislature and governor would appoint the board he envisions, Smith said.
The senator’s district includes Oaklawn Park thoroughbred track in Hot Springs, which along with Southland Greyhound Park in West Memphis, benefits from new games of skill approved by voters in 2006.
Incoming House Speaker Robbie Wills, D-Conway, pre-filed House Bill 1002, also a shell bill for creating a lottery. Smith said he expects lawmakers to spend a lot of time developing the rules and regulations for a state lottery.
“Everything is going to be worked out through in negotiations,” he said. “We’re hoping we can have nice companion bills and have a good lottery for the state of Arkansas and produce a lot of scholarships for our people and non traditional students as well.”
