If state lottery is so great, let’s try this experiment

It seems that the state legislators have hit upon a possible gold mine to finance the government.

They seem to think that gambling in the private sector is subject to evil influence and should not be permitted. They think that, under their guidance, gambling would be pure and enrich the coffers of the state without the rich needing to spend a dime of their billions. I think that path should be tested on a small scale to see if it is feasible.

Here is a proposal to give it a test:

Start a scratch-off game at a cheaper rate so more people can play — say, 50 cents — to enlarge the number of participants. The income would be split, 34 percent for prizes, 33 percent for operation fees and 33 percent as the sole income for the legislators themselves. This would provide the legislators with a more accurate assessment from their supporters than a poll of a few hundred people. It should also give a measure of attainment to know that their salary has been administered for what they have achieved and not feel that they are on the public dole.

Gaming should be good for the income of the legislators, as it certainly did not hut the wealth of Donald Trump. The public would not have to pay overtime when the budget gets entangled in politics and the money saved on salaries must go to the schools and education. What could possibly go wrong?

— Donald Tracy

Salisbury

Thanks for School Tools drive’s yearly success

This is Community in Schools’ 16th year of collecting supplies for our Rowan County children. We collected over 13,627 school supply items and were able to provide 776 book bags to children throughout the county.

A special thank you to the U.S. Postal Service, City of Salisbury, Cornerstone Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1st Presbyterian Church, Belk of Salisbury, Schneider Electric, Daimler Freightliner, Food Lion, Walmart, Chick-Fil-A, Novant-Rowan Medical Center, F&M Bank, Premier Federal Credit Union, Salisbury Elks, Keller Williams Realty, Carolina Healthcare Systems North East, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, North East Radiology, ArtsCube, and Church Women United for their continued support.

The collection of supplies will go to benefit students we serve at Isenberg, Koontz, Overton, Hanford Dole and North Rowan elementary schools and North Rowan and Knox middle schools.

Last year alone we provided services for more than 3,300 students.

Communities In Schools of Rowan County is a proud United Way Agency and receives support from the Rowan-Salisbury Schools, Margaret C. Woodson Foundation, Salisbury Community Foundation, The Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation, our state and national CIS organizations and donations from many community members to fulfill our mission to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.  For more information, visit our site at www.CISRowan.org or e-mail us at cisrowan@gmail.com.

— Scott Bannister

Bannister is executive director of Communities in Schools of Rowan.