Bethlehem Legislator Rips Corbett, Lottery Privatization Plans
Bethlehem state Rep. Steve Samuelson says governor is "trying to take hundreds of millions of dollars away" from senior citizens with Lottery privatization plan.
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Bethlehem state Rep. Steve Samuelson joined with other members of the House Democratic Caucus Wednesday to criticize Gov. Tom Corbett’s plan to privatize the Pennsylvania Lottery, saying there are many unanswered questions.
“Governor Corbett is trying to take hundreds of millions of dollars away from the senior citizens of Pennsylvania to give it to consultants from Chicago and a private company from London,” said Samuelson, D-135, who is minority chairman of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee.
What do you think of privatizing the Pennsylvania Lottery? Tell us in the comments.
The Lottery helps fund a host of state programs for older Pennsylvanians including property tax and rent rebates, PACE and PACENET prescription drug assistance and free and reduced-fare public transportation.
Next week, Samuelson’s committee plans to hold hearings on the privatization plan and its impact on these services.
Samuelson accused Corbett of using the Lottery Fund like an ATM, taking $100 million out of it last year to balance the Department of Public Welfare budget.
“The Lottery Fund was created for the benefit of the senior citizens of Pennsylvania,” he said. “That trust has existed for more than 40 years and Governor Corbett is breaking that trust.”
Rachel Thompson
8:52 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Let us not forget privatization adds layers of cost so the cut to PA will be smaller. Ad profit and middlemen to the mix and its less money for PA. no to mention the jobs lost and wages cut to PA citizens. conservative economic ideology is a proven failure so why is Corbet doing this to PA? Has to be to line his pockets once he's out.
Liz Doyle
1:00 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Perhaps the State legislature should consider hiring a consultant/management group to fulfill the role of Governor - then they could put Corbett on their payroll - that's the new American political process.
Sue
1:23 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
This article would be more interesting and informative if it explained Corbet's reasons for wanting to privatize it. You gave us half the story. I guess it is better to go right into automatic mudslinging! I would love to see postal services privatized! Some things would be better off being privatized!
poopaloop
4:24 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I will no longer play the lottery if Corbet gets his way. There has to be a monetary/political reason for him to do so. What kind of kick back is he getting/
Cate Shea
6:27 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I second Rachael's comment above, this privatization mania is not in the public interest, never was. It is a way for special interests to reward each other at the public expense.
Trolllman
9:23 am on Friday, January 18, 2013
He is just making it easier for them to steal more money from the people who need it the most.