Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 6 of 9 · from the scan, no model involved
Virginias, that we are subsidizing lotteries operating in neighboring states. It is also a fact that most urban cities have illegal numbers games which a state controlled lottery will surely cut down, if not eliminate.
A lottery is an indirect form of gambling, with three important distinctions: 1) a public lottery is inexpensive to administer; 2) a public lottery involves relatively little investment by the individual; »nd 3) the lottery system is 'easily insulated from the Inevitable pressures that organized crime and politics exert on gambling. Unlike legalized gambling and taxes on liquor or tobacco, state lottery proceeds are not gained at the expense of a lower - or upper-class. An Atlanta-based study concluded the majority of lottery players are from the middle class (18,000 to $56,000 income bracket).
To say Virginia does not allow gambling is not accurate. Legal lotteries and gambling are allowed in the form of bingo and raffles, .instant and scratch-off games, newspaper and football games, games of chance sponsored by clubs, civic organizations, fast food chains, grocery stores and others.
One should keep in mind that 1983 is an election year and no legislator will want to raise taxes, but once senators, serving 4 year terms, take office, Virginians better be prepared for increases! It is noteworthy that most city councils are advocating increasing the sales tax to 5 percent, which applies to food.
I would prefer that the General Assembly support and pass a state run public lottery bill; however, an alternative would be to give voters a referendum on the lottery. Many voters throughout our Commonwealth have expressed favortism of a lottery - whether they would play it or not. A lottery will not eliminate taxes, but will prevent increases as well as providing alternative sources of revenue that will be generated and managed by Virginians for our benefit.
I urge each of you to contact your delegate and senator and express your views about a lottery.
J.W. (Billy) O’BRIEN, JR.
Virginia Beach
94.7%