Symington says plan to lease lottery is dead

House Speaker Gaye Symington says Governor Jim Douglas’s plan to lease the state lottery is dead. Symington says she opposes the plan because she feels it’s a mistake for the state to rely more heavily on gambling revenue.

Plan to lease lottery lacks support in Vt Senate

The Vermont Senate has sent a clear message to the Douglas Administration: any plan to lease the state lottery to a private company must be approved by the Legislature. Supporters of the bill say it’s also evident that most lawmakers oppose the leasing approach.

Lawmakers debate plan to lease state lottery

Some lawmakers are hoping that the Legislature will take a serious look at Governor Douglas’s plan to lease the state lottery. They say it would provide new money to help balance the state budget. But opponents argue that relying on more gambling revenue is a bad idea.

Leasing the state lottery

Governor Jim Douglas proposed to the Legislature that the state lease its lottery to a private company. The plan could potentially generate $50 million in revenue, but critics have raised a philosophical objection. We hear the pros and cons adn take your calls. Also, news analysis with VPR’s Ross Sneyd, and we listen back to some of the voices in the week’s news.

Democratic leaders question lottery proposal

Democratic legislative leaders are concerned about the Douglas Administration’s plan to lease the Vermont Lottery to a private business for 30 years. The Governor says the proposal is a way to provide at least $25 million for immediate property tax relief. But the lawmakers question the social cost of relying more heavily on gambling revenue.