Legislative Bulletin

May 4, 2001




Lottery debate begins intensifying
Debate over a state lottery heated up in the General Assembly this week when a pro-lottery group released a poll showing that a majority of voters favor a lottery. Meanwhile, an anti-lottery group began calling voters in 17 legislative districts to play recorded messages by former governor Jim Martin and former UNC System president Bill Friday opposing a lottery.

The poll of 802 registered voters, conducted March 20-22 by the Cooper and Secrest Associates and Fabrizio, McLaughlin & Associates polling firms, found that 60 percent of voters favor a lottery and 33 percent oppose it. Of those in favor of a lottery, 43 percent said their support was strong. The poll also found that 66 percent of respondents said they had played the lottery in other states. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

According to the poll, support for a lottery is stronger among black voters than white voters, 65 percent vs. 58 percent. Surprisingly, political affiliation makes little difference in attitudes about a lottery. Among white Democrats, 63 percent favor a lottery vs. 57 percent white Republicans.

The poll was paid for by the N.C. Lottery for Education Coalition, a group that includes convenience store operators and companies that administer state lottery programs in other states.

The organizers of an anti-lottery group, Citizens United Against the Lottery, said it has delivered pre-recorded phone messages by Gov. Martin and Friday to 50,000 voters in 17 legislative districts. It was the second such wave of phone calls by the group, which is chaired by former state Rep. Chuck Neely of Raleigh. Neely’s group also has planned an anti-lottery rally at the Legislative Building next Tuesday.

Gov. Mike Easley is advocating a lottery as way to help pay for initiatives to reduce class size in early grades and provide preschool for at-risk 4-year-olds. Lottery bills have been introduced in the House and Senate this year but have not seen any action.

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