Tampabay.com
FEBRUARY 23, 2007

Gambling for schools

We all know that every time we buy a Lotto ticket in Florida, some money goes to public education. Did you know the amount reached a record-high $1.2-billion last year? That's right, the Florida Lottery sent $1.2-billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund last year, up $121-million from the year before, according to a new report from the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. The trust fund, by the way, is what the Legislature digs into to support Bright Futures scholarships, school construction bonds and other education-related projects.

OPPAGA warns that the amount could drop off if folks stop playing scratch-and-win games and if competition grows. But worry not. The Legislature's auditing team has some recommendations, which amount essentially to expanding gambling options in the state to include video lottery and on-line keno (like Maryland, among others, has). Anyone ready to put odds on that?

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About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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