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Some mayors, county judges support lottery Thursday, May 29, 2008 By Doug Thompson Arkansas News Bureau FAYETTEVILLE - Springdale Mayor Jerre Van Hoose says his friends and neighbors who regularly go out of state to purchase lottery tickets should have the chance to invest the money they're spending on scholarships for Arkansas students. Van Hoose is among 18 Arkansas mayors and 13 county judges who Lt. Gov. Bill Halter said Wednesday have thrown their support behind his proposed constitutional amendment to create a state lottery to fund college scholarships. "I just think that if people are willing to drive all the way to Missouri regularly to buy a lottery ticket, they might as well buy one that would help Arkansas students and save them the drive," the Springdale major said. Halter's proposal would authorize the Legislature to establish a lottery to fund college scholarships and grants for Arkansans attending certified two-year and four-year colleges and universities in the state. He estimates a state lottery would generate about $100 million annually for scholarships. The lieutenant governor announced May 13 his Hope for Arkansas campaign had gathered the 77,468 signatures of registered voters required to qualify the measure for the November general election ballot. Opponents of state lottery said Wednesday support of local elected leaders does not translate directly into public support and that such endorsements can backfire. "This could stir up some opposition in these communities," said John Thomas, spokesman for the Family Council. "It's not like they took surveys in their cities and counties before declaring support. They are speaking for themselves. I think we will see much more public opposition to this proposal when and if it gets on the ballot. Then we'll see who goes on the record in favor of it." Van Hoose said he respects gambling opponents and said they should vote the way they feel and believe. "I believe that if buying a lottery ticket would help a young man or young woman from Arkansas go to college, it's something we ought to consider," he added. Two other Northwest Arkansas officials included in the list of public supporters released by Hope for Arkansas, Fayetteville Mayor Dan Coody and Benton County Judge Gary Black, did not immediately return calls Wednesday seeking comment. The list also included the mayors of Augusta, Brinkley, Charleston, Farmington, Fordyce, Forrest City, Harrison, Helena-West Helena, Lonoke, Madison, Marked Tree, Mena, Mountain View, Siloam Springs, Stuttgart and White Hall. The list included the county judges of Carroll, Columbia, Desha, Fulton, Lonoke, Perry, Phillips, Poinsett, Randolph, Sevier, Van Buren and Union counties. |
