Lottery differences emerge in budget negotiations

Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005 | 9:30 a.m.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Differences over a proposed state lottery surfaced from the budget negotiations Monday, as time dwindled before an end-of-the-week deadline to approve a spending plan for state government.

North Carolina is the only East Coast state without a numbers game, but House and Senate leaders and Gov. Mike Easley -- all Democrats -- are trying to create one before the Legislature adjourns for the year.

The House passed a lottery game in April by a two-vote margin. But the Senate approved a budget proposal in May that didn't create a lottery; rather it eliminated an advertising ban and adjusted how net profits would be distributed, but only if that House bill ultimately passed.

Lawmakers for weeks have largely dismissed talk about lottery negotiations during the budget process, focusing on questions on health and education programs and state employee compensation.

But Senate leader Marc Basnight and House Speaker Jim Black both acknowledged Monday that the lottery was playing a role in finalizing a budget that could pass both chambers.