So you want to gamble, but can't seem to put aside enough money to buy a lottery ticket?
State Rep. Beau LaFave (R-Iron Mountain) has a solution that could help you place that losing bet you thought you couldn't afford.
While his fellow GOP lawmakers look for more traditional methods of cutting entitlements in order to bring down government spending, LaFave is introducing a somewhat radical bill that would authorize employers to withhold a portion of their wages for the purpose of "investing" them in a new lottery game.
As the first-term U.P. lawmaker sees it, HB 6527 would remove barriers that currently limit the state's gambling revenue by setting aside money each pay period for a new, yet-to-be-invented lottery game.
"The thought process behind this particular game is that you kind of have to go out of your way to play these games right now," LaFave told Michigan Capitol Confidential, a conservative political newsletter that first reported the bill's introduction. "If you make it easier, I think the majority of people would check the box to play."
If just half the workers residing in Michigan agree to have the maximum $26 deducted from their paychecks each year, LaFave figures, the new lottery game could fetch "$100 million-ish" for Michigan's School Aid Fund.
Would employers really choose to facilitate a game of chance that allowed lucky jackpot winners to say "Take this job and shove it"?
Not to worry, employers! Rep. LaFave is way ahead of you.
Because jackpots in his game expected to top out at around $10,000," he says, "winnings are low, so nobody is quitting their jobs over it."
But why stop there? If Michigan can help employees put aside money for gambling, why not allow withholding for the purchase of recreational marijuana, liquor and cigarettes, all of which generate tax revenue for the state?
Sadly, HB 6527 (whose brevity, at a mere 115 words, conceals its author's creative genius) has been referred to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform, which currently has no plans to take up LaFave's bill before the end of the current lame duck session.
But LaFave, whose Yooper constituents overwhelming re-elected him to a second term last month, will be back when the new Legislature convenes next month.
Editor's Note
It looks like the Michigan legislature needs an adult in the room.
Despite what this Michigan legislator states, the lottery is NOT an investment, and should never be looked at in that manner. The lottery is entertainment only, and you should never spend more than you can afford to lose. Committing a portion of every paycheck to play a lottery game is a very bad idea.
On the other hand, it would be a GREAT idea to dedicate a portion of every paycheck to things such as a 401K retirement plan, a healthcare savings account, and other things essential to your financial well-being.
Just when you thought you heard of it all. Sure have the government dig into your paycheck to gamble.
What on earth is this guy thinking? This?
"You know... what would be a good way we could get our hands on more of the people's money?"
"How about having them self-fund a new lotto game?"
"Don't they already do that?"
"Mainly, but this time, it's straight from their checks... It makes them pay for it whether they like it or not!"
"Hey... great idea! Let's put it in a bill and shove it through!"
I'm really starting to dislike Lansing. Nothing but ridiculousness running amok.
This is probably the most pathetic attempt at a money grab I have ever seen by a politician in my 38 years, period.
Budget what you can afford to lose on this type of entertainment. As Richard Lustig once said,
"There will be more losers than winners".
What a stupid prize! $10,000? Is the guy really a republican? If he really is a republican then the suggested prize should have been 30 years without paying Michigan income tax.
l don't know which one is worse: This or Alicia Silverstone's divorce clause, which says that even though she has to pay her ex husband $12K a month...she stops paying Chris " if he shacks up with someone for 5 months within a 1 year period."
i know i would not be wanting MY court ordered money going to a second source. and shacking up would do just that. Why should this "other" person reap the benefits?
But yeah, digging into someones paycheck is the GO TO now for state and government.....
What an insane idea. Is that guy on drugs?
... max deducted $26/yr... so LaFave is thinking everyone is on an every other week pay system? I haven't seen that in 20 years.
Nomination for most pathetic, stupid, asinine idea to come from a legislature.
Hahahahahhaha....but lets talk Social Security, can I get what u force me to pay into? Yes I'm off topic buuuuttttt..... this is soooo bizarre....Michigan!
No way? She always played ditzy parts...but real life? Her attorney is bonkers....any one with a big pay day coming can wait one year?
This is worse!
I can certainly understand A.S divorce clause after what happened to Jessica Simpson when she divorced Nick he and now wife lived off J.S all those years until the money stopped. Now that's sad! What a 'man' LOL
Yep sure enough a repub look what top one is doing with Our S.S majority of us has paid into all these years, Our Benefits are in his $1.9 Trillion dollar cut pkg for next year!
HIT2NITE: n.g said during a one year period, meaning TIME not only for one year....
Arizona Is still on every other week pay system! It's a right to work state.
Don't know how many other states are? I know some states pay every week.
Does depend on what kind of job you have though my last job I got six checks a month. Other departments paid once a month.
If this doesn't prove the reality that what a waste government is... I don't know what will!
Glad you got right about SS. It is a benefit, not an entitlement as so many Repubs seem to think. I too earned my benefits, both in the military and as a civilian.
maximum $26 deducted from their paychecks each year
It costs $208 to play every MM or PB drawing a year and $416 playing both. And I'm pretty sure most people play those games so they quit their job.
Because jackpots in his game expected to top out at around $10,000," he says, "winnings are low, so nobody is quitting their jobs over it."
I'm pretty sure nobody would consider quitting the after pocketing around $7000! And players can't do much gambling on 50 cent a week.
has no plans to take up LaFave's bill before the end of the current lame duck session.
If that's what player want, go for it again next year, but I have a feeling there won't be enough money to pay for even one jackpot prize.
.. until people wake up and smell the coffee, things will never change. A certain party out here voted against a gas tax, which would have gone towards repairing roads & infrastructures, the party bullied their colleagues & that party was decimated at the voting booth. But hey, we getting a tax cut & we fighting abortions..
The Michigan Lottery has been steadily getting worse and the slide accelerated from 2013 onward. There are fewer and fewer decent prizes awarded while the lottery profits are increasing.
I wouldn't even try for a $10,000 prize anymore...not that I wouldn't want it but after playing for several decades I know better as I have surely lost more than that on coming up on 5 decades pretty soon.
What Lefave should have suggested is making the Michigan Lottery Great Again. Michigan should pull out of the money sucking Multi State games and have games so good that people in the surrounding states would drive here to buy tickets.
If Michigan players want to drive to neighboring states to waste their time, money and resources on the really awful games that the Multi states have become then let them.
The MSL could put up billboards such as "Did you know you are 10 times more likely to die in fatal car crash than you are to win the MegaMillions-see you in the Darwin Awards" on the way out of the state for masochists who want to buy the current versions of the Multi state games.
What's even more troubling is Lefaves attitude that probably reflects what many lawmakers are considering and that is to make the lottery even worse by having more smaller and crapier and less good prizes than ever before.
Hey neighbor, just saw you live close to me!
Do you ever play @ It's Convenient???
"Is the guy really a republican?"
Being a republican is why he proposed the idea. He could have tried to just raise $100 million with a modest (average) tax of about $26 per year on each household, but as a republican he's probably spent a lot of time telling voters that he's against tax increases.
So instead of raising taxes he's come up with this brilliant idea. He gets employers to withhold a bit more money from employees' paychecks and then send that money to the state treasury. That way the state collects an extra $100 million but it not a ... Oops. My mistake.
I had to re-read the article and it kind of made me mad. If you are ever in the Detroit area, some group puts up billboards thanking Lansing for how much a CT scan, car insurance, etc costs in Detroit.
So today is my big 63 and going to win something tonight to close out the year. Todd, I'm still coming after your NJ 6...will be there in New Jersey before long to get my tickets!
Hey Bleu... I like Hucks, Pilot, all Coxs ...it's Convenient is da spot! ... U do good there? Food's good, they are due a Big winner, it's been a while ... great for scratch offs
Hey, only play in your town once in a while. No big winners yet. Maybe I need to do scratch offs @ It's Convenient.
Merry Christmas to you!
Wait a minute. The game isn't invented yet & this person want to have it deducted out of people pay check. The idea behind this is to stop the over spending of the government. The buck stops here. It coming out of the tax payers pockets. Here is a few radical ideas for cutting down spending for the government . Next session , all the lawmakers stay at the capitol in MI. & balance the budget. You can't leave until it done. If the session go over time. You get no overtime. No more free lunches at the tax payers expense. It you have to get a suite until it done it out of your pocket. You get voted in & you get paid to do the job yet each year you have a reason for not getting it done. Earn your seat. You're now sound like the weatherman, it the only person I know who have a 50/50 chance to get the weather right & still have a job. A working person will put that to better use 401 k or Roth....a reef over their heads. If you decide not to complete this project until 10 years from now or your plans can't be carried out. Are you ready to give all these people back their money with interest. On a positive note. How about taking a poll & asking the lottery players if they want more money deducted from their checks. If they had a chance to make a choice. You , could put that poll right here on the Lottery Post . Then the lottery players can see the results.