Distribution of lottery revenue to public schools could change

Associated Press

Legislation that would change the way lottery revenue is distributed to public schools has won preliminary approval at the state Capitol.

The House Appropriations and Budget Committee voted 7-2 Tuesday to send the bill to the House floor for a vote.

The measure's author, Rep. Gary Banz of Midwest City, says the bill would create a special Common Education Lottery Revolving Fund to collect and distribute lottery funds every six months. Banz says that would let taxpayers know exactly how much lottery cash goes to their local schools.

Currently, lottery funds are run through the state school funding formula along with all other education money. Banz says that makes it difficult to determine how much individual school districts receive from the lottery.