N.C. Lottery opponents put pressure on lawmakers

Apr 19, 2005, 10:18 am (4 comments)

North Carolina Lottery

As the battle over a lottery in North Carolina continues, opponents are stepping up the pressure on lawmakers.

After a close vote in the state House the opposition now has its sights set on the Senate.

Anti-lottery groups hope the pressure on lawmakers will pay off.

The lottery is like no issue I've ever experienced in the General Assembly, John Rustin of the N.C. Family Policy Council explained. The coalition assembled to fight the lottery from conservative groups to fairly liberal organizations.

And while lottery opponents are putting the pressure on, lawmakers are feeling it.

Just days after the state House barely passed its lottery bill some senators told News 14 Carolina they received more than 100 emails.

A citizens group against the lottery has helped North Carolinians bombard lawmakers with emails.

Rustin takes a different approach.

Well, we just sit down and talk with them, Rustin said. We have been researching the lottery over a decade and are constantly going to members of the House and Senate and sharing the information.

As the battle over a lottery in N.C. continues, opponents are stepping up the pressure on lawmakers.

And recently a group of pastors took that same approach, rallying at the Capitol and talking directly with senators.

They said they'll continue to pressure senators until the final vote is tallied.

We know this is a hard issue for everyone, but we're looking at it for the wellbeing of our people, Pastor Greg Barefoot explained. They're looking for hope and it's an empty hope. You're looking at one in 14-million chances of winning.

And the anti-lottery groups hope this pressure results in a victory for them when the senate votes.

The Senate Lottery Committee will likely meet for the first time this week.

Senate GOP leaders said all 21 Republican senators will vote against the lottery.

That means at least one Democrat against the lottery needs to switch sides for the bill to pass.

Lottery Post Staff

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Comments

golotto

Before "they say" that 14 million to 1 is "empty", I wish they would ask the last group of Powerball winners if a matching lottery ticket is possible.....

Excuse me for being frank, but I don't need big brother deciding for me if I can spend an occasional dollar or two on a jackpot game. Let each adult individual decide for her-himself if they wish to participate.

I find that the lottery is just plain fun and it only requires one ticket. The money that is spent goes for good causes. I support the wonderful people of NC getting their lottery.

TNPATL

I agree with you golotto. If people in NC want to play they will. Those that don't won't.

LOTTOMIKE's avatarLOTTOMIKE

if they got pick 3 and pick 4 games the odds wouldn't be in the millions......

LOTTOMIKE's avatarLOTTOMIKE

they would try to threaten the politicians jobs if the lottery was a ble to pass,this is what those lottery opponents want to scare the lawmakers into voting against it....

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