Lottery
Lotteries did not encourage COVID-19 vaccinations, new study finds
The chance to win $1 million did not lead to increased vaccination rates against COVID-19, according to a new study published Friday that examined the states that held vaccine lotteries earlier this year. There was a “near zero” association between those cash drawings and additional vaccinations in states like Colorado, which held five drawings among […]
September 9 Crucial Conversation: Why progressives should be working to keep state-sponsored sports gambling out of NC
Join us Thursday Sept. 9 at 3:30 pm for a very special Crucial Conversation: Why progressives should be working to keep state-sponsored sports gambling out of North Carolina - Featuring Les Bernal, Executive Director of the national advocacy group, Stop Predatory Gambling.
Protecting the health of North Carolinians shouldn’t be a game
Durham high school student explains why vaccine lottery could backfire in the long run North Carolina’s vaccine lottery just announced its first two winners. But while the $1 million and $125,000 prizes are going to two very lucky (and admittedly, very deserving) individuals, the lottery itself runs counter to our values as a society and a state.
Winston-Salem teacher first to win million dollar prize for getting COVID vaccine
Shelly Wyramon decided to get the COVID vaccine to protect herself and her family and that decision paid off big time. The Winston-Salem teacher and mother of three became the state’s first $1 million vaccine lottery winner on Monday. Wyramon refused to believe that she had really won the life-changing prize until she got on […]
Will North Carolina’s vaccination lottery work?
North Carolina is the latest state to bank on a lottery to reverse flagging COVID-19 vaccinations. North Carolina joins Ohio, New York, Maryland, Oregon, Colorado, California, New Mexico, West Virginia, and the state of Washington in offering the chance at some serious money or college scholarships in an effort to get more people to roll […]
State officials tout record highs in N.C. Education Lottery profits, but there are caveats
State officials are touting record profits from the N.C. Education Lottery, according to an Associated Press report Thursday. From the AP report: The North Carolina Education Lottery says it’s had another record year for ticket sales and net profits. Lottery officials announced Thursday ticket sales for the year ending June 30 totaled nearly $2.4 billion, […]
Senate leaders reverse course and bet on more lottery advertising
What a difference a year makes. Last session the state House passed a budget that relied on increased lottery advertising to raise money for a pay raise for teachers. Senate leaders rightly panned the idea that soon fell apart after news that lottery officials had told House leaders that their revenue projections were unrealistic before […]
John Oliver takes aim at state lotteries, NC’s lottery gets its own put-down from comedian
Comedian John Oliver took on (and sunk) the idea that state lotteries responsibly and effectively fund public education, when he focused on state lotteries this weekend on his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight.” North Carolina’s education lottery got a substantial mention (at the 11:30 minute mark) when Oliver pointed out North Carolina spends less per […]
3 takeaways from NC’s budget brouhaha (w/video)
If you’re trying to get up to speed on this week’s colorful and cantankerous state budget negotiations, here are three quick takeaways: Governor Pat McCrory is ‘disappointed’ with the Senate after Tuesday’s walkout, and McCrory thinks the Senate’s 11% pay raise for teachers is ‘not realistic‘ House members are willing to give up on expanding […]
To get to a budget deal, stop the 2015 tax cuts
This morning’s edition of Setting the record straight over on the main Policy Watch website has some rare praise for the surprisingly progressive rhetoric emanating from state budget negotiations this week. But it also takes lawmakers to task for their failure to seize upon the most obvious solution to their inability to find a way […]
Charlotte radio host on lottery proposal and “downright nutty words”
ICYMI, Keith Larson of WBT radio in Charlotte has an entertaining post in the Charlotte Observer on the House lottery scheme entitled “Some of the nuttiest words I’ve typed in 12 years here.” As Larson notes: “House Republicans want to give teachers their raise by doubling the advertising budget for the so-called Education Lottery. Yes, I […]
Editorial: House budget another bad bet
The House plan to fund teacher raises with increased lottery revenues continues to meet with widespread derision. ICYMI, the Greensboro News & Record weighed in over the weekend: “When it comes to raising teacher pay, the state House has almost trumped the Senate for bad ideas. The Senate offers 11 percent salary hikes, on average, […]