Lottery vote set for today

Wednesday, March 5, 2003 | 9:50 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state House of Representatives will consider a lottery proposal today, according to the bill's author, Rep. Ron Kirby, D-Lawton.

Kirby said the measure will go to the House for a vote at noon today.

The measure is supported by Gov. Brad Henry, who said a lottery could raise up to $300 million a year for public education.

Henry has lobbied strongly for the bill.

Supporters of the lottery proposal had planned to send the bill to a vote of the House on Feb. 20, but some Republican lawmakers who had indicated they would vote for the bill changed their minds, Kirby said.

Some lawmakers and church groups strongly oppose the bill, saying it would lead to social, spiritual and economic problems.

An Associated Press poll found lawmakers nearly evenly split on the proposal, with many either undecided or not responding.

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