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By J. VV. “BILLY” O’BRIEN
Rappahannock News Special Writer
When I watch some of our state leaders eagerly dividing up the lottery pot, I am reminded of the old fable of those who had nothing to do with the planting or harvesting of the farmer's crop, but who were first in line to eat it once it bore fruit.
Now that Virginians have overwhelmingly approved a lottery and it has proven successful even beyond the expectation of those of us who worked hard to make it a reality, many of yesterday’s nay-sayers are trying to call the shots on how to spend the money.
The governor has recommended lottery revenues be used for capital outlay projects, and key legislators in the General Assembly who control the flow of money are backing him up.
Thus some initial lottery revenues are being used to build things like prisons and to renovate swimming pools on college campuses.
When I first broached the idea of a Virginia lottery years ago, it drew scorn from most of my fellow legislators. But finally there came a time there was such a public demand, it could no longer be ignored.
I’m certainly not foolish enough to collide head-on with those in the legislature who have the clout to dictate the spending of revenues, particularly when they’re backed by the governor’s influence.
But I do think as time goes by, especially as the so-called “on line” lottery games begin - the games that can produce multi-million dollar jackpots lottery revenues will grow into many millions each year.
And when that happens, I pre' diet that the question of how to spend the revenues generated by our lottery will become a big issue in Virginia.
I’ve said consistently I’m not particularly in favor of using lottery funds for bricks and mortar. Certainly, the idea of using those revenues to build prisons has no appeal to me.
1 think if the lottery is going to have the continued support of the many thousands of average Virginians who play it week in and week out. those people must be convinced the state's share of lottery dollars is being used for things they feel are highly worthwhile — things such as education, Chesapeake Bay cleanup. the elderly.
Otherwise, lottery players are going to get the idea that powerful legislators are using lottery revenues for pet projects, some of which have the smell of pork about them.
In Pennsylvania they have a program to help senior citizens on limited incomes buy their prescription
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