Gov. Phil Bryant says he’d be willing to discuss a state lottery in Mississippi.
Bryant is the first governor in nearly 30 years to say he might consider a lottery.
Former Gov. Ray Mabus pushed for a lottery in 1990, and lost the next election. Governors since then have said they’d veto any lottery bill that passed the legislature.
Bryant noted that he wouldn’t want to dedicate the revenue to specific areas such as public education. In his words, “Our children’s future should not be left to a game of chance.”
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves said his decision would depend on whether a lottery would bring in new money or take money from sales taxes and casinos. (AP)