House kills lottery bill

Thursday, March 6, 2003 | 9:53 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Supporters of an Oklahoma lottery vowed to keep the idea alive after the state House narrowly defeated a plan to ask voters whether they want a statewide lottery to fund education.

Mike Carrier, chairman of Citizens for a Better Oklahoma, a pro-lottery group, watched from the gallery Wednesday as the House rejected the legislation. He wasted no time in announcing his group's next step.

"There will be an initiative petition," Carrier said. "A lottery will create additional funding sources for the state of Oklahoma. It can do good for public education."

Carrier can count on the support of Gov. Brad Henry, who pushed for an education lottery during his campaign and said he was disappointed the lottery measure was voted down.

"It's time to let the people vote," Henry said. "I'm on the side of the people on this issue. I'm up here fighting for their right to vote on this issue."

archive