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New Lottery is Oklahoma's Top Story of the YearNews Story
In November, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry saw a cornerstone for his plan to increase funding for education, a statewide lottery, become a reality.The education lottery won easy passage with about 64 percent of the vote. Supporters said it would raise $150 million a year for common, higher and technical education.A companion measure was also approved, which will create a constitutional ''lockbox'' and prdvent lawmakers from dipping into lottery revenue to replace existing education dollars, something
Jan 3, 2005, 8:14 am - Lottery News

New Oklahoma Lottery Bill Helps Many Non-Profit OrganizationsNews Story
After years of finding creative ways to sell tickets for a special item without actually calling it a raffle (which was illegal), school organizations can now legally raffle off chances at a quilt, an autographed ball, or some other prize.The new freedom for schools and specific qualified organizations comes as the result of Oklahoma's new State Lottery bill.For years, Oklahoma legislators tried to find a way to allow non-profit groups to conduct raffles without opening the door to other more
Dec 27, 2004, 7:52 am - Lottery News

Oklahoma Lottery Commission could be appointed by end of monthNews Story
The first step toward having a state lottery, the appointment of a seven member Oklahoma Lottery Commission, could be in place by the end of the month, according to Gov. Brad Henry. We're spending time recruiting and reviewing applicants, Henry said. I believe it's better to take time and find the right person for the job rather than rush into it. Among the duties commissioners will have is the creation of the lottery itself and deciding what games the lottery will offer.A director and staff a
Dec 15, 2004, 10:43 am - Lottery News

Officials Say Oklahoma Lottery Could Take Year To StartNews Story
Oklahoma voters earlier this month ended Gov. Brad Henry's yearslong battle to get a statewide lottery, but the task of making the lottery a reality has just begun.Before the first ticket is sold, a lottery commission has to take shape, the rules of the games established and other details worked out.The first step comes with Henry's appointment of a seven-member lottery commission. The governor's office is accepting applications. They'll go through a lengthy and detailed process, including an OS
Nov 19, 2004, 11:50 am - Lottery News

Educators, Lawmakers Pleased With Oklahoma Lottery VoteNews Story
Supporters Predict Measure Could Generate $150M Annually For EducationOklahoma school officials called State Question 705 a victory for the state's education system Wednesday after voters passed the measure overwhelmingly.The measure, which establishes a state education lottery, was approved by 64 percent of voters who participated in Tuesday's general election.According to language in the measure, at least 35 percent the revenue from the new lottery will go directly toward Oklahoma's education
Nov 4, 2004, 12:53 pm - Lottery News

Oklahoma Store Owners, Governor Anxious To Get Lottery RunningNews Story
Oklahoma will soon have a state lottery, and some Oklahoma City-area store owners were already wondering Wednesday how soon they could buy a lottery machine.State Question 705, which establishes a state education lottery, was handily approved Tuesday by 64 percent of state voters. Supporters claim the lottery could raise $150 million a year for common, higher and technical education.However, the lottery itself will take some time to put together.A state lottery commission must be formed, and a l
Nov 4, 2004, 12:51 pm - Lottery News

Oklahoma voters approve a state lotteryNews Story
In Oklahoma, voters approved one measure creating a state lottery for education and another expanding gaming at Indian casinos and racetracks Nov. 2.With the creation of a state lottery in Oklahoma, only nine states are left without one.State question 705, which creates a state lottery to benefit the states educational system, passed with a 64 percent majority, while 68 percent of voters approved state question 706, a companion measure creating a trust fund for lottery proceeds and prdventing le
Nov 4, 2004, 12:45 pm - Lottery News

Oklahoma lottery question spurs contributionsNews Story
Supporters and opponents of a state question that would allow a statewide lottery in Oklahoma have both raised more than $200,000 in the past month.The pro-lottery group Oklahoma Kids Coalition raised $289,750 from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30, according to reports filed with the state Ethics Commission.The Chickasaw Nation contributed $1,000 on Sept. 2 and another $250,000 on Sept. 22.Memorial Properties Holdings LLC contributed $12,000 on Sept. 3.The coalition supports State Question 705, which would c
Oct 14, 2004, 10:05 am - Lottery News

Proposed Oklahoma lottery discussed at forumNews Story
A lottery forum sponsored by the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals laid out the nuts and bolts Thursday of the proposal Oklahomans will vote on in November. But the one thing even the experts couldn't answer was how much money the education lottery would raise. Nobody really knows, state Secretary of Finance Scott Meacham said. Other states vary greatly on what they have made per capita. It depends on the way the lottery is set up. Gov. Brad Henry also said he didn't know how much the lottery
Mar 26, 2004, 8:38 am - Lottery News

Campaigning for an Oklahoma lottery to begin soonNews Story
A referendum on an Oklahoma lottery plan is still a year away.But Governor Henry says he's planning on campaigning for the lottery proposal.Approval of the education lottery was one of Henry's biggest fights in Legislature this year. The lottery plan was the cornerstone of his gubernatorial campaign a year ago.The issue is heading for the ballot box next November. And Henry says he expects an extremely difficult battle to pass it.Henry says he remains committed to leading the fight to pass t
Nov 11, 2003, 4:44 am - Lottery News