LOTTERY JUST A BLIP ON EDUCATION RADAR

Missouri lottery proceeds have increased an amazing 88 percent since its first year in 1987. Revenue really began to multiply when the state started earmarking lottery proceeds for education just over six years ago.

In 1999, the lottery designated more than $150 million for education. Sounds like a lot, right? Not when you consider total education spending by the state. Lottery proceeds actually represent only a minuscule part of the total budget. Missouri is spending more than $3.5 billion on public education alone. If the lottery revenue disappeared, it would merely be a blip on the radar screen for education.

Lottery both instant games and weekly drawings are accessible most everywhere. It's not uncommon to see people who can ill afford it taking a chance on a handful of instant games.

A recent poll revealed that for many people, their retirement is winning the lottery. Face it: There's no such place as Luckytown.

The state needs to quit focusing on the educational benefits of the lottery and riverboat gambling. Gambling needs to stand or fall on its own merits in Missouri. The welfare of Missouri's schoolchildren should simply not be linked to these games of chance.