Lottery Funds for Education Misused

When the Lottery was voted on in 1986, most, if not all, voters believed what was being promised if the amendment passed.

1 - All the proceeds from the lottery would enhance public education.
2 - Periodic votes, every two - four years on whether to keep it.
3 - Every dollar was to be an extra bonus on top of what was already being spent on education.

Lottery proceeds was supposed to give, and make sure, our kids get a better education. It was led to believe that children, minors, were the ones to benefit the extra education money, not adults. There are plenty of schools with Pre-K thru 12th grades that can use better equipment, better books, free after school tutors, etc. Some people move up north so their children get a better education.

In 1986-87, when lottery was voted in, Education received almost 61% of Florida's general revenue. In 2003, it dropped to only 53%. Do we even want to know where it is today? It should have gone up quite a bit, why did it drop?Mis-use of funds, that's why.

Now the lottery money pays for new construction, given to colleges, universities, scholarships, and such. Only 5% goes directly to our minor children. Did you know that it also goes toward bonuses? Yes! Schools and teachers get bonuses for every child. They get paid to do a job, and then they get a bonus for doing their job. For instance, Channel 7 News talked to Bay County School Superintendent James McCalister. He said they get about Two Million dollars every year. He goes on to say that, about half of the money is used to reward good efforts and student performance on the F-CAT. The rest goes into a general fund. In the past, McCalister paid A-rated and improving schools, one hundred dollars each. Because of budget cuts, those same kinds of schools now only receive $85 per student! Half of the money! About One Million Dollars, just in one county, goes for bonuses! Are you appalled yet?

Public schools (for kids) receive money from the Educational Enhancement Fund. Retailers get a 5% commissions on ticket sales, plus a 1% cashing bonus on redemption of tickets. If they were lucky enough to hand out the winning lotto ticket, they get themselves a hefty bonus. One St. Lucie County retailer got a big enough bonus to give away $6 thousand dollars! However, it is shared. Bright Futures, for instance, gets nearly $400 Million dollars! They won't touch that even though the School Boards are looking at deep budget cuts.

Here is a quote from 'Coin Toss' from Illinois. "The Florida schools might loose some funding as a result of this but all too often any state with a lottery that talks about 'bucks for education' uses 'voo doo' accounting and those 'bucks for education' become a part of a shell game". Below is a graph on how they spend the money for 'public enhancement', including links to view their annual reports and any other financial matters.

2007 Progress Report
Education Dollar To Education

I say public school (pre-k thru 12th grade) gets a minimum of $800,000,000. The rest splits like this:

1 - Construction = $200,000,000.
2 - Colleges = $100,000,000.
3 - Universities = $50,000,000.
4 - Bright Futures = $225,000,000.
5 - Other Student Financial Aid = $64,065,540.

Maybe we should cut out universities all together. Any lottery money not claimed or expired should go to public schools (K-12). Moreover, stop giving out commissions/ bonus'! Retailers should get a set amount each month for use of electric, machines, etc. They will get free PR when their machines give out the winning ticket.

Our children are our future and so we must prepare them with all the knowledge that their brains can handle. I want all the children to be able to take college credits starting in their freshman year of high school without being 'advanced'. They need to have available, IQ and advanced placement tests, free of charge. Any A/B student at the end of the year should be taking this test to see if they can handle jumping a grade or two. There are many smart kids out there, some of whom get into trouble because their classes are boring. Mostly due to knowing the work already. Some, if not most of those kids drop out - 10th grade is most popular. This is where the big trouble begins. We need a system that will intrigue every student in some way. Keep their brains thinking. Not only will more kids graduate, but early as well. A lot more kids will go off to colleges or universities; which means less street trouble. It's actually simple - why hasn't this plan been put in place yet? Oh yea, that's right. We keep letting more non-English speaking people come here, and not making them learn our native language. Remember the saying, "One bad apple spoils the bunch". We can do better.

I feel that we need to stop giving our money to other countries, don't let in any more immigrants, and change the way education money is spent and you'll see a lot of positive changes. We need to do something now before our economy plummets any more. Do you want another Depression? Let's get it together people and get it right! We can start here.

* JUST A NOTE *

To all immigrants who actually show pride in this country, learned English, and didn't ask/take that free ride; you are unique and we thank you.

As you know, most immigrants didn't adopt the same American values as you so most of us don't want them here. If you are willing to work to get what you want, strive, and learn all you can, then you are welcome here. This goes for any so-called Americans too. If you want a free ride, the handouts, the giveaways, then you are not a true American or at least a Democrat. Get with the program or leave.

This country is messed up enough with all the idiots putting their idiotic two cents in. We need progress, and you are not it. This country was made with hard work, good, honest, and proud men (and now women). You will never get anywhere in life if you are always taking the handouts. You will stay the same or worse. Our children watch and learn everything we do. What are we teaching them? The ones who succeed in life are the ones who work hard and learn the value of the dollar. They don't take things for granted, they appreciate them. Learn how to do the right thing. Be an American!

media.www.centralfloridafuture.com/media/storage/paper174/news/2003/11/10News/Florida.Schools.Could.Get.Unclaimed.Lottery.Money-553719.shtml
tampabay.com/news/politics/state/article452011.ece
blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_lottery/2008/03/lottery-report.html
www.lotterypost.com/news/173464
www.sptimes.com/2003/11/03/Columns/Don_t_be_fooled_lott.shtml
pod08.prospero.com/n/blogs/blog.aspx?nav=main&webtag=WFOR_4YOURMONEY&entry=8
www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org
www.florida-schools.org/#DOE