Funds lost: Lottery's original promise one that should be honored

The Wayne County commissioners and the state county commissioners association are not the only ones who should hold the legislators in Raleigh responsible for the use of lottery funds in the state.

The voters should, too.

County leaders are dead right -- 40 percent of the money was promised to schools to be used for building projects -- and that is what it should be used for, even if there are more pressing matters.

The current leadership in the General Assembly is not responsible for the flow of promises that accompanied the passage of the legislation establishing the lottery. That was done a few years ago.

But maintaining the integrity of that promise should be one of the new majority's goals in the next session.

Rebuilding the state's schools is of critical importance -- especially if North Carolina is serious about attracting more investment and jobs.

By using the lottery money to take care of school construction projects, counties can use the money they have for other infrastructure improvements.

There were reasons to dip into the lottery money to cover education expenses -- a slew of bills, including a debt to the federal government.

But now it is time to get back on track and to start building the first-rate school system North Carolina voters were promised.

Published in Editorials on January 27, 2015 1:49 PM