After a more than 20-year battle, lawmakers needed a tie-breaker to finally pass their lottery bill. When they got it, opponents quickly cried out.
"I think we have one senator at home recently being hospitalized in bed we have another one who is on his honeymoon because he postponed it," said N.C. Sen. Andrew Brock, R-Davie.
But N.C. Gov. Mike Easley, a long time lottery supporter, praised the new state game.
"Today I sign the North Carolina Education Lottery Bill and today we begin building one North Carolina," the governor said.
As the fire calmed down, a lottery commission was picked. But following just one meeting, the controversy returned when Commissioner Kevin Geddings quit after it was discovered that he was a paid consultant by a lottery vending company.
"The commission members had to sign an ethics conduct code and all the members signed, including him, but he did not disclose what contacts he had and what he did," Easley said.
Meanwhile, after interviewing six candidates, the commission hired the man who will run the state's first numbers game.
"One of the first things we'll have to do is hire some people," said N.C. Lotto Executive Director Tom Shaheen after he came to his post. "We're going to need some people who have lottery experience but the bulk of the people will probably come from North Carolina."
Shaheen will make $235,000 a year for his work. The lottery is expected to bring in up to $400 million a year for education that includes scholarships, class size reduction and school construction.
"The largest concern that we have is the impact that easy access to gambling the accessibility to buying lottery tickets is going to have on the public as several of the commissioners recognize," said John Rustin, of the N.C. Family Policy Council.
Shaheen hopes to have the lottery up and running by April, and he gets a $50,000 bonus if he does.
The Powerball game should be up and running by July.
The lottery commission and director still have plenty of work to do by April. They must pick a company to run the games. The state must also sign up thousands of retailers to sell the tickets.
"The largest concern that we have is the impact that easy access to gambling the accessibility to buying lottery tickets is going to have on the public as several of the commissioners recognize," said John Rustin, of the N.C. Family Policy Council.
Just look at the 40 other states that raise money by a lottery. I don't understand why these people think it would be any different in their state. The public by in large are gamblers anyway. Adding a lottery isn't going to cause social turmoil.
Brad
"The largest concern that we have is the impact that easy access to gambling the accessibility to buying lottery tickets is going to have on the public as several of the commissioners recognize," said John Rustin, of the N.C. Family Policy Council.
Just look at the 40 other states that raise money by a lottery. I don't understand why these people think it would be any different in their state. The public by in large are gamblers anyway. Adding a lottery isn't going to cause social turmoil.
Brad
It's racialism. Institutionalized racialism.
It's one of the last states in the South that have Civil War mentality. No joke. It's real. It's not just the lottery, it's a part of just about everything down here.
Consider that with any new lottery, there will be advocates and opposition. It's the nature of the beast. You can't make everyone happy.
It is unfortunate the NC seems to hold on to the "Civil War Mentality", even within it's own state government. It shouldn't be "Who's the winner and who's the loser?" It should be, "How can we make everything a win for the state of North Carolina."
The representatives of the state voted "on behalf of the people", it's done. Find something positive to focus on, like the money for education that the lottery will be bringing to the families of North Carolina.
Anyone enjoy seeing that comprehensive list of news articles for N.C. this year?
Hey Todd:
I'm sure doing the list took a lot of work. Thanks for the effort.
It's amazing to watch history repeat itself.
DDB
Hey Todd:
I'm sure doing the list took a lot of work. Thanks for the effort.
It's amazing to watch history repeat itself.
DDB
It wasn't too bad. I wanted to see if it was useful, because I could do the same thing for other news topics. It doesn't seem to be too popular, which is fine -- just testing the waters.
Todd:
I would like to have a copy of the 2005 articles related to the N. C. Lottery.
They are posted in the news story at the top of this post.
When they get it up and running smoothly, revenues pouring in they'll all be pounding their chests declaring they knew it would be a great success all along. That's politics for you.