Some Baptists want Texas Lottery Commission shut down

AUSTIN — As lawmakers look at whether the Texas Lottery Commission is operating effectively, influential Baptists are suggesting the lottery shouldn't merely be tweaked. They want it abolished.

"Ask the pertinent questions. Has the lottery fulfilled its promise? My answer would be 'no,'" said Suzii Paynter, director of the Baptist Christian Life Commission, in an interview Friday.

Baptists contend the lottery was sold to Texans 20 years ago as a "voluntary, non-regressive" way to raise money, but instead it preys on the poor and caters to impulse purchases of scratch-off tickets. Attempts to bring in higher-income players with $50 scratch-off tickets haven't worked, they say.

They question whether the lottery has provided a real revenue increase for public education or has simply replaced other revenue sources.

More at http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/apr/16/texas-lottery-commission-some-want-it-shut-down/ .

[font color=green]The Texas Lottery Commission is being reviewed by the Sunset Advisory Commission this year for possible changes or elimination.[/font]