LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers have passed and sent to Gov. Asa Hutchinson a bill that would abolish the independent lottery commission and instead place it under Hutchinson's control.
The state House voted 84-3 Tuesday to endorse shifting responsibility for the games' operations to the state Department of Finance and Administration. The existing nine-member Lottery Commission would be dissolved and the governor would appoint a games director.
The overhaul is aimed at halting a decline in revenue for the games. Arkansas voters approved the lottery in 2008 to raise money for college scholarships.
Republican Sen. Jimmy Hickey of Texarkana says his bill will also save money by eliminating lottery jobs that are already being performed by the finance department.
Hutchinson has previously expressed support for the change.
Read Wednesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
