Texas Lottery on a lucky streak

[white cloud]

The new $2 Powerball tickets went on sale January 15 and the first $40 million jackpot drawing was held January 18.

Another creative addition to the Texas Lottery came in 2009 with the launch of the John Wayne themed scratch-off ticket. Sporting a picture of The Duke in sporty war-hero attire, the Veterans Cash lottery ticket generates funding for veterans’ assistance programs. For each $2 scratch-off ticket, a portion of the cost is donated to the Texas Veterans Commission’s Fund for Veterans Assistance.

According to Texas Lottery Commission officials, Veterans Cash lotto tickets provide grants for non-profits and veterans’ organizations for a range of programs including counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, housing assistance for homeless veterans, legal services and family and children’s services.

To date, the game has raised more than $15 million for veterans’ assistance programs.


http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/pearland/news/texas-lottery-on-a-lucky-streak/article_a02dd34f-a04c-522d-9128-60b16a3b4343.html

To bad Baron Perry has robbed the veterans lottery again to balance the budget.

[sonias]

1. Wow I had no idea that some of the money was dedicated

Yep the Lege cut Veterans services so they now have to rely on scratch off games! Even this somewhat dedicated stream could be in danger. If it's making money the thieves in the Lege will be looking to taking some away.

Lets hope the Lege doesn't go in and steal the money from the Veterans like they did with parks!

[white cloud]

2. O they already have stolen it

Last edited Fri Jan 27, 2012, 12:43 AM - Edit history (1)

I will find a previous post about the funds that disappeared and have never been paid out to the above veterans,



Listen to the audio


http://www.texasobserver.org/media/k2/audio/tax-divert_kut.MP3

[sonias]

3. Great find

But also depressing listen. The Lege doesn't have to dispense the funds they collect for a dedicated purpose - they can just hang on to the money to balance the budget!

About 8:10 into the audio the part about the scratch off fee for Veterans is being discussed by Forrest Wilder a reporter for Texas Observer. And it's not pretty.
They make me sick.


And of course it was Senator Wendy Davis who tried to step in with a bill to make sure those monies dedicated to Veteran's services actually got to Veterans. I went and found the bill she authored S.B. No. 1635. Low and behold, a miracle happened and the bill actually passed! Wendy Davis rocks!


Here is a link to the bill text
S.B. No. 1635


And a summary link to the status of the bill. Since it reads "Effective immediately" it means it passed and is law now.
Bill: SB 1635
Legislative Session: 82(R)
Add to Bill List
Last Action: 06/17/2011 E Effective immediately
Caption Version: Enrolled
Caption Text: Relating to contributions to the fund for veterans' assistance.
Author: Davis
Sponsor: Farias

=======================

Again a big round of applause for Senator Wendy Davis for getting this passed!

[sonias]

4. There is another bill she co-authored related to this too

This one passed too and is law. Between the two of these bills I think Senator Davis got it done!


SB 1739
Author: Davis | Van de Putte
Sponsor: Pickett
Last Action: 06/17/2011 E Effective immediately
Caption: Relating to the use of the fund for veterans' assistance.

From the bill analysis:

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans' Assistance (fund) is a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. The primary source of support for the fund comes from the sale of the two dollar Veterans Cash scratch-off ticket, as well as gifts and grants contributed to the fund.

The fund makes reimbursement grants to eligible charitable organizations, local government agencies, and Veterans Service Organizations that provide direct services to Texas veterans and their families, including counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, limited emergency financial assistance, housing assistance for homeless veterans, and family and child services. S.B. 1739 seeks to ensure that the money located in the fund is only appropriated to the Texas Veterans Commission for grants to address veterans' needs and to administer the fund.

S.B. 1739 amends current law relating to the use of the fund for veterans' assistance.

[white cloud]

5. Thanks again sonia

Glad to hear someone is looking out for the veterans in Texas.
We have to many Chicken Hawks stabbing veterans in the back to reduce the defecit.

[sonias]

6. Two faced republicans

They speak out of one face claiming they are the ones that support Veterans (lip service) and the moment no one is looking they take the money and run.

A-holes!