The Arkansas State Lottery - Essay Example

Based on a US 2003 Report, Arkansas ranked only 43rd in academic achievement among the 48 contiguous states in U.S. The National Education Association in 2002, meanwhile, rated Arkansan teachers' salaries at 41st place, pegged at no more than $36,962 per year. Additionally, the American Legislature Council bemoans that spending per pupil in the state is $5,764, roughly 25 percent lower than the national average of $7,557 per student (Muck). Local supporters of the lottery, hence, claim that returns drawn from the lottery would, by way of improving cash flows, facilities, technologies, and the overall serviceability of the institution, uplift the lagging educational system in the Arkansan state.

Lottery money can also plug income and funding gaps critical to the overall maintenance and expansion of institutional development programs3. One such lottery supporter, Sandy Garrett, Oklahoma's state superintendent of public education, recounted that the expansion of the local scholarship program in Georgia was augured by its vigorous state lottery, and captured more fluently by its HOPE Program4. These scholarships had enabled several average or "B" students in high school land into top state-universities sans any significant financial burden (Muck).

On a more On a more practical light, Rep. Shirley Walters-Greenwood of Arkansas explained that in-situ lotteries can generate savings. She mentioned that scores of people from Arkansas travel interstate to play lottery in presumably more palatable and less notorious gaming venues such as billiards halls, bingo sprees and casinos. Likewise, crossing states impose additional costs for gas and travel, and compel Arkansan