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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