Lottery Ban for Welfare Recipients
A member of the North Carolina Legislature has a put forth a proposal that would restrict the sale of lottery tickets to those who are on state assistance or are in bankruptcy proceedings. The restriction, if passed, would effect nearly 1.7 million North Carolina residents.
Paul Stam, the state representative for Wake, will bring up the issue during the next legislative session. Stam believes that the ban would be to the benefit for those struggling on state welfare monies. The advertising of the lottery is deceptive and the odds can be difficult to understand for some people with lower incomes.
“We’re giving them welfare to help them live, and yet by selling them a ticket, we’re taking away their money that is there to provide them the barest of necessities,” Stam said.
Stam wants to make the lottery more honest and does not want to see people of limited means losing any more of what have. The sale of lottery tickets are concentrated in the poorer counties of North Carolina and commonly lack explanations about the effect of taxes and deductions on winnings.
“The NAACP, we didn’t agree with the lottery to start with. Rather than Mr. Stam having a side argument, ask him to stop blocking labor rights for poor people and working people. Ask him to have a real conversation about real wage,” Rev. William Barber said.
http://www.upi.com/blog/2013/01/25/Welfare-lottery-ban-considered-in-North-Carolina/4701359134058
