Where is all that Education Lotto money when we need it?

Where is all that Education Lotto money when we need it? (Added: May 21, 2010)

Where does all that SC Education Lottery money go? That?s a GOOD QUESTION many of you have asked News13 in recent months. (more)

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By: Rebekah Carter | SCNow
Published: May 21, 2010

Where does all that SC Education Lottery money go? That’s a GOOD QUESTION many of you have asked News13 in recent months.

With so much talk about potential teacher furloughs and education budget cuts in the South Carolina school districts, many of you want to know what the money generated from the state’s lottery fund goes to.

So, we found out for you. The state’s legislature decided how the funds would be distributed when the lottery first began in 2002. Here is what lawmakers decided:

73.36% of the money would go toward higher education scholarships and grants

24.16% will go toward Kindergarten-12th grade programs

2.48% would go toward other community education programs

Senate Finance Chairman Huge Leatherman, R-Florence, said it would take legislative action to change those appropriations, giving more money to K-12 programs and less toward colleges and universities.

“"The statue says the lottery will be used for scholarships and a few other things, Leatherman re-iterated, “You'd have to change the statute.”

He said that is not something being discussed at the Statehouse at this time.

To see exactly what the money from the SC Education Lottery is being used for, visit the SC Budget and Control Board’s Website.