Lt. Governor Bill Halter addressed a  mixed crowd of Helena-West Helena Lions, Kiwanians and Rotarians about the proposed state lottery that will appear on the Nov. 4 general election ballot. The combined club session was held Wednesday at Phillips College.
Halter, elected in 2006, primarily focused on jobs and education and feels that enacting a statewide lottery could eliminate some of the problems the state faces.
Halter said that in most areas Arkansas is ranked 48th or 49th.
“It’s so prevalent.  When I was growing up the expression was ‘Thank God for Mississippi,’” commented Halter. “There’s nothing in the water to make Arkansas 48th or 49th.”
The state is one of the lowest in per capita income as well as educational achievement and Halter said that educational achievement and per capita income were linked – one affecting the other.
“No state that has high educational achievement has low per capita income,” said Halter. “We must improve the percentage of college grads to improve per capita income.”
Arkansas holds the No. 49 spot and West Virginia follows at No. 50 in per capita income.
“Fiftieth place doesn’t belong to Mississippi (anymore),” replied Halter.
Halter said that West Virginia is aggressively making strides to improve their low rankings.
Halter explained that by enacting a state lottery and using the funds for college scholarships, the state could bridge the gap in per capita income and educational achievement.
“For all those folks who are worried about a negative impact, I respect your opinion,” said Halter as he began discussing the Hope For Arkansas advocacy movement and providing information about states that border Arkansas that have state-wide lotteries.
According to Halter, Arkansas allocates $40 million for scholarships.  He says that with the proposed lottery, $100 million more would be available for students.
“This proposal would take that $40 million and make it $140 million,” he said.
“I’m telling you $100 million would go a long way in college scholarships for hard pressed Arkansas families.”
As of Thursday, only 61 days remain until voters decide whether or not they want the measure.
“For those folks who don’t like the financing of this and after it passes, you’ll never have to purchase a ticket,” he said.
He added that the citizens in the state already buying lottery tickets from other states were funding college for students living outside of Arkansas.
He said that of the 6,000 lottery retailers in Missouri, the top six best sellers were on the state line.
“We’re losing tens of thousands of dollars a year,” he stated.
Several questions were asked and Halter addressed each one.
He said that while he didn’t advocate an income cap, the legislature would decide the guidelines after passage.
He stressed that the scholarships would be for Arkansas citizens enrolling in Arkansas colleges.
“Personally I wouldn’t have an income limit.  There are too many middle income people who could be just outside the income limit by $1,000,” stated Halter.
He added that he felt the scholarships should be available for traditional and non-traditional students – those who may not have finished college and need a second chance.
He said that if the measure passes, the state lottery could be operating in late 2009 and scholarships would follow shortly.
“The great thing is that we have a lot of state’s with experience to look at,” said Halter.
“I don’t want anyone to believe that if we pass a lottery in Arkansas it’s going to solve all our problems,” he continued, adding that the lottery would have a significant impact on the issue and a lottery wasn’t a form of tax.
“The biggest argument is that it won’t work in Arkansas.  They believe that any kid in Arkansas can go to college and can get there somehow, someway.”
He pointed to El Dorado and Murphy Oil’s college pledge to that city.
“Before the promise, 60 percent of their high school grads went to college.  After the promise, of the first class of eligible students, 80 percent went (to college).  For every person that says this won’t work in Arkansas needs to go to El Dorado and say it won’t work.  A community that was dying and losing population is now active and vibrant and people are moving in,” said Halter. 
Halter said anyone seeking figures and information about other state’s lottery and projected funds from Arkansas’ proposed lottery could visit www.naspl.org.