In this week’s video, we take a look at the possibility of lottery vending machines rolling out sometime this spring. The legislature is in session in Little Rock right now; I encourage each and every one of you to call your representative and your senator, and tell them how you feel about lottery vending machines popping up in your community.
The 2010 Fiscal Session of the Arkansas Legislature kicked things off yesterday afternoon with an address from Governor Beebe. But amid the snowfall outside and the handshakes and greetings echoing inside the halls of the Capitol, something else happened that perhaps did not get as much attention: Seven non-budget bills were added to the calendar for consideration.
This past week, the Lottery Commission announced its suggestion that, seeing as how the lottery had performed over and above expectations, Arkansas’ college students should be awarded $5,000 scholarships if they plan to attend 4-year colleges and $2,500 if they attend 2-year colleges. There’s also been talk about giving additional scholarship money to students already enrolled in college.
At first, the news media couldn’t seem to decide if the $5,000 scholarship was $5,000 per year or $5,000 total. The latest I’ve heard says it’s going to be $5,000 per year—$20,000 over the course of 4 years—but I wouldn’t be surprised if that number changes before it’s all said and done. That’s because I just can’t seem to make all of the Lottery Commission’s math work.
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