We all know that every time we buy a Lotto ticket in Florida, some money goes to public education. Did you know the amount reached a record-high $1.2-billion last year? That's right, the Florida Lottery sent $1.2-billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund last year, up $121-million from the year before, according to a new report from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. The trust fund, by the way, is what the Legislature digs into to support Bright Futures scholarships, school construction bonds and other education-related projects.
OPPAGA warns that the amount could drop off if folks stop playing scratch-and-win games and if competition grows. But worry not. The Legislature's auditing team has some recommendations, which amount essentially to expanding gambling options in the state to include video lottery and on-line keno (like Maryland, among others, has). Anyone ready to put odds on that?
Get inside the world of Florida education with St. Petersburg Times staff writer Jeffrey S. Solochek and the rest of the Times education reporting team. We'll bring you up-to-date information about the latest education trends, fads and news and dig deep into Tampa Bay area school issues.
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