THE LOTTERY SCHOLARSHIP BILL THAT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED NEW MEXICO’S LOTTERY TO FUNNEL 30 PERCENT OF TICKET SALES REVENUE INTO THE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FUND IS TABLED BY THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND FINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE VOTE ON HOUSE BILL 147 WAS INITIALLY 9-TO-7 UNTIL A COMMITTEE MEMBER CHANGED TO HER VOTE. IT RESULTED IN AN 8-TO-8 VOTE, SO THE BILL IS STILL OPEN TO THE SPONSOR, REPUBLICAN STATE REP JIM SMITH OF SANDIA PARK TO BRING IT BACK. HE SAYS HE’LL TALK TO OPPONENTS ON THE COMMITTEE TO SEE IF THEY’LL VOTE DIFFERENTLY.
