I answer this question every day. So occasionally, I post it here. “Why are the schools asking for money? What about the Tennessee Lottery money? They say it goes to education!”
Well, it does….but not to the daily operations of your neighborhood schools. Lottery-funded programs include scholarships and grants to colleges and tech schools, and after-school programs.
That’s how it’s been since the beginning. So yes, lottery money goes “to education.” But not to your local public schools for things like maintenance, teacher salaries, technology, or school supplies. Those funds always come from local taxpayers. It’s always been that way, and probably always will.
Since 2004, more than a million grants and scholarships have been awarded. I’m not debating whether your local schools need more tax money. I’m just telling you they don’t get lottery funds. The state legislature would have to change that.
State Sen. Mike Bell, who represents District 9 says, “Since the lottery was created by constitutional amendment it would ultimately require a vote of the people. First the legislature would have to pass a resolution by a simple majority in one General Assembly then they would have to pass it by a 2/3 majority in the next General Assembly.
The final step would be a vote of the people held at the next governor’s election.”
So, to sum it up, any potential changes would be a long way off, if ever.
I have serious questions about the wisdom of employing state run lotteries as a source of revenue.