"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
Teachers losing jobs.
Schools in jeopardy of closing.
And many say the quality of our education is on the decline.
Wasn't the North Carolina "Education" Lottery sold as a way to prevent this?
35-cents of every lottery dollar was supposed to go right to education.
Have you heard the latest?
That figure now has dropped to 29-cents.
A loophole in state law instructs lottery officials to hit their 35-percent mark "to the extent practicable".
That means the state can raid lottery funds for other things.
Last year they did this to the tune of 80-million.
That money could have helped college scholarships, early education, school construction and classroom reduction.
Governor Beverly Perdue has already said that next year she's taking 35-million from the state EDUCATION lottery for Medicaid and other federal social service programs.
While Medicaid might need help, isn't lottery money supposed to be for education?
Legislators say their raiding is a one-time occurrence.
But how can they be trusted?
But millions of lottery dollars make an attractive target.
Use the money for its intended and marketed purpose…for education.
Tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
