Chad Adams called my attention to an article in the local press. It seems North Carolina legislators representing western counties are complaining because the formula for redistributing lottery proceeds to schools is biased toward eastern and central school districts.

According to the existing formula, 40% of proceeds would go to school construction. 65% of this amount would be distributed proportionately to student population. The other 35% would be given to school districts with above-average property taxes.

Not surprisingly, Representative Bruce Goforth (D-Buncombe) proposed an alternative formula that would send more money to western districts (a.k.a. low-income schools). His proposal passed the House, but the Senate tabled the matter for further study. By default, the existing formula will apply for another year. Goforth attributed this to, “a dictatorship in the Senate.”

First of all, I’m not sure why the legislators are pretending to be so naïve. Wist they not that all redistributions of wealth are unfair? Secondly, the last I heard, there was a movement to declare the lottery unconstitutional. I am not sure why the legislators are eager to lose a game of hot potato with ill-gotten gain. Lastly, I agree with the arguments previously made against government declaring itself above the law to capitalize on an addictive vice, so it can benefit from its own monopoly.