State may divert unclaimed jackpot money to schools

Friday, Oct. 3, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Gov. Jeb Bush wants an unclaimed $50 million Lotto jackpot to be used for schools and not for Lottery promotions and bigger scratch-off ticket prizes.

The Lottery is required to use all unclaimed prizes for promotions and prizes. Bush said he normally agrees with that policy because it helps increase sales, which helps raise money for education.

But in a letter Thursday to Lottery Secretary Rebecca Mattingly, he said that a prize as large as one that went unclaimed last month should be sent directly to schools.

"My guiding principle for the Lottery is to maximize the amount of money going to education," Bush wrote. "We should work with the Legislature to ensure these additional dollars are distributed to the school districts -- this is a rare opportunity to assist them in their efforts to educate our students."

A ticket sold in the Miami area last March was the sole winner of a $50 million jackpot, but nobody turned it in before a 180 day deadline. The actually money available from the jackpot is $30.1 million -- the same as if the winner took a lump sum payment instead of 30 annual payments.

The Legislative Budget Committee will have to approve using the $30.1 million for schools, but there will not likely be opposition when it meets later this month.