Here's What Players Have
Said To Their Legislators About
The New Lotto Texas Rule
Originally Posted: April 8, 2003
Revised: April 12, 2003
Important
The TLC purchased
new balls &
drawing machines
ONE MONTH PRIOR
to the adoption of the new Lotto Texas rule.
WHY
did we
have a "comment period" for the rule change?
This discovery has put the adoption of the new Lotto Texas
rule in a whole new perspective and I "heard" that some kind of
action will be taken next week. However, until we SEE it
and it's
actually done, we must continue screaming. It's our insurance.
Please complete a NEW feedback form. It's a whole new
ballgame, persistence pays and we deserve answers.
Click here to complete the NEW feedback form
after you've read the comments below.
FYI ...
While we're now on our 3rd quest for comments, our 2nd quested generated
close to 4000 comments.
Below is a sampling of what the People of Texas
have said to our legislators.
Let me say that there is no way I can't post
all comments. Almost all commentors
stated they
would quit purchasing
lotto tickets if the rule takes effect and many
vowed to
campaign against
any legislator who did not help overturn this rule.
And you can rest
assured, the players will have my assistance come election time!
We do have the legislators attention - I've learned that some do not understand,
some won't help because they WANT you to quit playing and one
said the lottery
was suppose to make money - as he said, "pure and simple." I will be providing
more about the legislators in the coming days. It has been reccomended that I
encourage you to get on the phone and call your legislator in addition to your
written comments. Your legislator is easy to find and I wish you would start
calling them. Here is a link so you can find the person that represents YOU.
About lottery money for education
I feel compelled to address one issue that's often mentioned in your remarks.
And that is about the lottery money going for education. The lottery money
does go into the school fund. However, all this does is free up other monies
that WAS budgeted for schools - the lottery money is not "in addition to"
the budgeted figures. The schools only receive their "budgeted amount"
each year no matter what the lottery brings in.
Now enjoy reading what fellow players have said ...
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I have listed my address on past complaints about the ludicrous, preposterous change in the Texas Lotto. I have read that some of you legislators say that there is nothing that you can do about it. If you in fact did say that, then you have no business legislating. If you don't know what you are doing, "go home!" I for one, and all my circles of influence will vote against you your next time up to bat!!! Get with it ---- Be a legislator that listens to his constituents and keeps his JOB!! VETO the new rule and keep the lotto the way it is or be held responsible for "KILLING IT"! I am appalled at the reasoning for these changes. If the state cannot find better means to balance ALL budgets then perhaps it is time to change ALL involved politicians starting with the state and working all the way down to the lottery commission. I will vote against any legislator who goes along with this lottery plan. It is ludicrous and will only cause those who cannot afford to lose money spend even more on the hope that they can win. This is a case of the golden goose and this plan will definitely financially kill off all those people who devotedly play this game. With the TLC making these specific changes to the rules of the Texas Lottery, it clearly indicates that there are unspoken agenda's within the TLC. The money that the TLC is hoping to generate with the new rules is not clearly defined as toward what or where the "slush" money generated by the new rules will be used. These new rules obviously are in "someone's" favor and therefore the Texas Lottery is in legal breach of their Charter if the rules are implemented as they have been stated. The Texas Legislator's have control over the TLC and instead of the TLC making changes to the rules at their whim, the Legislature's should pass legislation approving or denying any rules changes - this would keep the TLC's action visible to the Texas legislator's and their constituents. Where are the extra monies being collected going to be deposited? Do those deposit institutions have owners or stockholders that are friends on the TLC? Will the TLC ask for salary adjustments or bonuses because of the new Lottery rules? Frankly, the whole issue smells of corruption and the TLC and its' charter should be revisited on all facets by the Texas Legislature. Why would the TLC implement these new rules without giving due consideration to those who play the Lotto and their objections? Personal reward on the TLC's part is the only possible answer. Who and how much is the obvious next question? It is very simple. A vote for better 'odds' by you, means a vote for re-election by me. Dear Mrs. Shapiro and Mr Paxton, The proposed changes to the Texas Lottery is not a good idea. My family and I play the lottery almost every drawing. It is worth of couple of dollars to dream about winning. The odds are already not in our favor, why would making the odds even worse entice me to play more often. Quite frankly I think it will have the opposite effect. If the changes go into effect I do not think I will be playing that much, if at all. I am disappointed in the greed of the Texas Lottery Commission and The State of Texas. Thank you for reading my note. I will not play any of the lottery games should this new rule go into effect and remain as such. I shall also vote and actively campaign against any politician in the next election that supports the new rule. Rogers G M. Jr, RNC member - Galveston County I feel the lottery should be left alone without any extra gimmicks to try and squeeze extra cash out of the people who play the lottery. This is one reason that I drastically reduced my amount of cash that I would normally spend on the lottery. When you make it harder to win, why should I buy more losers. Yes I do vote! This is a truly horrid decision made by the state of Texas. While I myself do not play the lottery as much as others, I still know that this change in the rule, is a total rip off. It is completely unfair to the citizens who spend their money to play. The pure and simple fact is, with as many thousands of people who are very upset about this, lottery sales will go down. Why don't the representatives of this state get off their duffs and take a stand for the people they are trying to "make things better" for? I can't remember the last time I actually saw a government official, no matter at what level, be as concerned for the people they are supposed to be representing, as they are for their own interests. The people of this state are supposed to be "your interests" so help us fight this. Stand behind us, as your supporters and voters have stood behind you! As it is it is difficult to win, your assistance in making this rule a reality is just a slap in the face to the Texas voters. I, personally, will not be purchasing lotto tickets until this rule is repealed. I, as a lifetime Texan, do not want this rule in place in my society....change it!!! These changes represent government greed and stupidity at it's worst. You have already taken a successful cash cow and crippled it, now the plan is to kill it off altogether. Does ANYONE have any sense there in Austin? Why not go back to the ORIGINAL formula that made OUR lottery the best in the US? Is the problem that the TLC and it's cronies have to justify their existence by making changes for the sake of changes, or is it a frantic, desperate attempt to line their own pockets? Both? YES, I am a registered voter, and YES I DO vote. Think about it. Let it be known, the State budget shortfall is the result of your incompetence as representatives of the people. Changing of lottery rules to make it harder(again)to recuperate misused funds is not good business. This is a supply-demand economy. I will invoke my right to no longer purchase lottery tickets if the rule takes place. I will further inform everyone I know to refuse to purchase lottery tickets. In addition, I will use my constitutional right to vote to vote against any member that supports the rule change, and is in my district. Besides the profits of the LOTTO NOT GOING TO THE EDUCATION of our children as PROMISED when the lotto was being voted on, now you people are trying to KEEP more money for your benefit. Public officials are EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. When will you STOP PUTTING YOUR STICKY FINGERS INTO ALL of your BOSSES (taxpayers) wallets? NO TO 47.7 odds. I would like to begin by stating that I am aware that the Lotto is nothing more than a voluntary tax. However, with this stated, the decision to change the setup for Lotto Texas is additional proof in my mind that the budget is out of control in Austin. I think it is time for the legislature to take a hard look at spending rather than additional sources of state revenue. A real crisis is being created in the state and it is not a budget crisis. It is a crisis of the people of the state who are seeing their taxes, licenses, fees, permits, etc... being increased at levels that are increasing faster than salaries are increasing. As a registered republican (and with a republican lead house and senate), I am sure that the right decisions will be made to show your constituents that the problem is understood and being addressed. If these changes take place my family and I will not play the lotto ever again. This is just plain stealing from the people of Texas. If the legislature would quit wasting taxpayer's money this would not have to happen. What is the number of people that play every week that never win at all,and now you say you want to make it harder to win? Does the state not make enough money from it? This is becoming just like insurance, you want us to pay you, but you don't want to pay us. Dig a little deeper in our pockets, it will not bother us,WRONG! This is rapidly getting to be a bad joke, keep it up and we will stop playing all together! I would like to continue to support the Texas Lotto, but I can not support new rule changes that will not support my interest in winning or will not increase my enthusiasm in winning. Lotto Texas may loose my total support without supporting my concerns. Will you support my concerns? It is my hope our State Senators and Representatives deny the new rule changes that increase the odds of winning to the people who support the Lotto. It does not make sense to bite the hand that feeds the Lotto. "Thank You" for listening! With respect, I am strongly opposed to any change in the Texas Lottery drawing rules without approval from Texas Legislators and/or Texas Voters. From the beginning of the Texas Lottery process the TLC has misused and abused it's powers. I voted FOR the creation of the Texas Lottery in good faith that it would be managed in accordance with the plan that the Texas Legislature presented The state even admits that the reason to change is to make more money for the state. I am 81 years old and hope that some day our representatives would try to do something for the constituents instead of for themselves and the state. I may not live long enough to see that but the lotto change is definitely going the wrong direction. We did have a group that got together a pot for the lottery. Now people are dropping out like mad and not just because they are dying off. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! If you want more money from the Lotto, you need to stop messing around with it! And you REALLY need to stop making changes without checking it with the PEOPLE of Texas. This is NOT your place to get cute! This plan is NOT fair, NOT smart, and NOT going to put money into the State. Remember, the same "geniuses" who sold you this plan, were also the ones very very wrong about how much money the old system would produce. Therefore, it might be a very good idea for you to listen to the voters of Texas, and not the same old pack of paid liars! At its inception, the Lottery was meant to be played and won. It seems as though someone got greedy and its initial purpose has been abandoned. At a time when education is allegedly a priority, I have not seen much of this money go into education. I would not be surprised to find that the Lottery officials and administrators are making more than expected. As for the money which has been set aside, I believe the state is in dire need of it at the present time as our elected officials do not seem to be able to stay within a budget. I hope that our elected officials listen to their constituents' concerns. The break down of prizes after the Grand Prize is very unfair. I will keep an eye on who votes in favor of this. Even publisher's clearing house gives better odds than that and people are still accusing them of "impossible odds." Please vote to overturn this new rule. If you have to look to a tax to replace lost lottery revenues because the TLC has become too greedy, good luck getting that passed without a heck of a lot of flack from your voters. Obviously, like most state agencies, the Texas Lottery Commission is over staffed with people who must make changes to justify their existence. I once learned how to make a paper airplane that really flew. I added a hair pin to the nose to serve as a landing gear and that worked well. Unfortunately I continued to modify it until it simply flopped to the ground. If we don't reduce TLC Staff to a minimum, it also will fly right to the ground. Howard M - Lubbock County Should the rules change again, I`ll feel as if the state does not care about the player and only wants to pull as much from their pockets as they can produce. I will then go from a recreational player to a sucker so I will no longer play the game. You will push the payout higher but will find the cronic gambler making a higher percentage of the constant players. This I thought was not the aim of the state nor the commision. Instead it was to be a source of state income based on a game of enjoyable chance, not one that reaps its rewards from a persons compulsion. With the reawakening of goverment ethics, shame on you for counting on weakness and going against your own stated rational at the start of the game. If the odds of winning become 47.7 million-to-one, then you can kiss my daily dollar donations goodbye. Hell, it's hard enough to win with the odds that are already in place! I'd rather rent a video for my buck! "Play the lotto, your chances of winning just got worse" Does that sound like an advertisement that would make you go out and buy a lottery ticket? What on earth would make the powers to be, at the Texas Lottery Commission, think that making the odds of winning the lottery harder would cause more people to play? Would you want to spend your hard earned money on a I sincerely feel that this rule change will cause a serious decline in the number of people that buy lotto tickets on a weekly basis. More winners of smaller jackpots will keep the game going, rather than the much slimmer chance of a big jackpot. You might also lose retailers willing to keep a lottery machine in their store if the business decreases and the likelihood of them sharing in a win as well. It is discouraging to see the continuos attempts of the Texas Lottery Commission to make more it difficult for people of low income to become part of the American dream, like me. Many retired people are buying tickets twice a week in hopes to get a small jackpot, to raise the odds to 47.7 million will diminish our chance to get any jackpot. I realize that my contribution is not that significant, but there are many people like me that are very concerned about this matter. Please help us to overturn this rule that we consider totally unjustified. Thank you in advance. Your constituent. Amado E. C. - El Paso County
4-10-03 - There is a new comment form based on new
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