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The 'Lottery' was sold to the citizens of Texas by then Governor Ann Richards as going to the schools and education. Now remember this is politics, so after it passed the beneficiary of the money was switched - no more for education. Basically to General revenue. Fact of political life and our elected representatives, tell the people one thing and then do another.

Living in Texas since the late 70's and being a retired State employee (TX Comptroller Office) I've watched this mess for years. The elected representatives do not have the back bone to fix the system or the put a good one in place. In the Special Sessions this year they preferred to argue their pet schemes and "bosom buddies" (read money backers) and do nothing in hopes that the Courts would fix it. That way they could say they tries and get reelected.

This is most likely why they are in Austin only 90 days every two years. They do less harm that way. But don't get me wrong they can foul things up good. The current Commission created by Governor Perry to examine the tax system will not make easy or right choices. My bet, we get both a raised sales tax, an income tax and just to top it off a the statewide property tax will be re-initiated.

The 'Lottery' was sold to the citizens of Texas by then Governor Ann Richards as going to the schools and education. Now remember this is politics, so after it passed the beneficiary of the money was switched - no more for education. Basically to General revenue.

That is exactly what happened, but it's my understanding that subsequent legislation corrected that scam. I believe the Texas state lottery revenue is now allocated exclusively to the education budget.

However, the lottery revenues are only about 2% of the education budget in Texas. The horrendously large bureaucracy of education administrators in Texas can think of ways to waste 2% of the budget over their lunch hour.

Texas has one administrative headcount for every teacher in the state. It's just insanely top-heavy in administration overhead costs.

For your info:

Lottery revenues have gone to the Foundation School Fund since September 1, 1997, as directed by the State Legislature. Prior to that date, they were allocated to the General Revenue Fund.

...Governor Ann Richards...

If her mouth was moving, she was lying.

This is most likely why they are in Austin only 90 days every two years. They do less harm that way.

My state only allows them to meet less than half the year in a unicameral. It limits the mischief but they still have plenty of chances to mess things up. The good thing is that it is harder for them to hide what they're up to when plotting against the citizens and their wallets.

Thanks for the comptroller view on Texas financing and influence peddling. I'm sure it's much the same in almost every state. Maybe Utah and New Hampshire are a little better. Maybe.