May 9, 2008 1:34 pm US/Eastern
Worcester-Only Scratch Ticket Proposed
WORCESTER (WBZ) ―
A Worcester city councilor is suggesting that the city launch its own lottery game to raise money for cash-strapped public schools.
District 1 Councilor Joffrey Smith is asking the city manager to file special legislation that would authorize the State Lottery Commission to create a scratch ticket game that would be sold only in Worcester. Smith says proceeds from the game would do directly to public schools in the state's second-largest city.
Smith says he has not yet spoken with state lottery officials but plans to discuss his idea with members of the city's legislative delegation and Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, a former Worcester mayor.
The lottery told WBZ it has no comment on the proposal.
No other state lottery game directs proceeds directly to a single municipality.
How Much Lottery $ Does My Town Get?According to the Massachusetts Lottery Commission, here is the formula that currently determines the local distribution of lottery money:
The Town's Equalized Valuation
Divided By
The Town's Population
Equals
The Town's Equalized Valuation per Capita
The State's Equalized Valuation Per Capita
Divided By
The Town's Equalized Valuation Per Capita
Times
$10.00
Times
The Town's Population
Equals
The Town's Entitlement
Every town gets a percentage of the entitlement based on the total amount distributed
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