From the clutches of defeat, North Carolina lottery proponents have snared victory.
The state Senate came back to Raleigh Tuesday and approved a lottery by one vote, 25-24.
Before Tuesday, North Carolina was the only state on the East Coast without a state-run numbers game.
The Senate vote was tied 24-24, but Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue, the Senate's presiding officer, cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of creating the lottery.
Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand brought up the bill for consideration about 1:15 p.m. and said it's time to resolve the lottery issue.
Two Republican senators who had opposed the lottery earlier were absent. One is ill and the other is on his honeymoon. The absence of the opponents gave supporters a chance to push through a state-sponsored numbers game.
The State House already passed a lottery bill earlier this year.
The bill now goes to Governor Easley for his signature. The governor supports the lottery.
PASS OUT! It's about time! No more driving to SC. Kids making Bs or better can get a chance to go to college now and maybe now the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system can get a better grip and stop having so many problems. I know the teachers in CMS are happy. They deserved better.
tenaj
I wonder if some SC lottery dealers will be upset with this news. Anyways I think it's good move on NC's part. =)
I'm happy to see NC finally getting a lotto. Congratulations to NC and for the Lieutenant for being tiebreaker.
I wonder when they're going to join Powerball. I know it's WHEN and not IF.
Congratulations NC!!! Good for y'all!!
PASS OUT! It's about time! No more driving to SC. Kids making Bs or better can get a chance to go to college now and maybe now the Charlotte Mecklenburg School system can get a better grip and stop having so many problems. I know the teachers in CMS are happy. They deserved better.
tenaj
I will be driving to SC to buy powerball tickets until we get powerball or megamillions.
About time. NC should join megamillions....I'd still drive to SC to play powerball.
About time. NC should join megamillions....I'd still drive to SC to play powerball.
My bet is them joining Mega Millions instead of Powerball because of TN and SC being Powerball states.
About time. NC should join megamillions....I'd still drive to SC to play powerball.
My bet is them joining Mega Millions instead of Powerball because of TN and SC being Powerball states.
I think so too. I'm just happy it passed.
if nc didnt want lotto i hope its tax free mega millions
it is too bad that some legislation has to be enacted through back door activities
if nc didnt want lotto i hope its tax free mega millions
Mega Millions is not tax free. Where did you get that idea?
Woo-o-o-o-o Hoo-o-o-o-o!!! Hats off to Senator Rand & Lt. Gov Perdue for making this happen!!! According to the news stations, Gov. Easley plans to sign the bill tomorrow morning!!!
At this time I would like to throw my hat in the ring for the Lottery Commissioner race.